Last week we looked at the evidence behind exercise treatment of hip arthritis - and there was no surprise to learn that exercise is very beneficial for pain and function.
This week - we ask - if exercise is so good for hip arthritis - what about knee arthritis?
The incidence of people suffering knee pain is outrageous - and this is right across the age range. It is well known that knee injuries and knee surgery in younger years almost guarantee's pain and dysfunction in later years. In fact, arthroscopes for knee injuries and pain are NOT recommended now as you will most likely need further surgery in the next 12 months.
So - if arthroscopes aren't the answer now - what is? This is where exercise comes in - so have a look below at 3 recent high quality systematic reviews.
Study 1: Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee (Fransen et al. 2015 )
Systematic review - highest quality of evidence, this is an overview of the research
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Exercise reduces pain, improves physical function and quality of life
The effects can be seen immediately after exercise sessions
Improvements are detected 2-6 months post exercise intervention – there are sustainable outcomes for pain and physical function - and continued with ongoing exercise
Individualised program provide greater improvements in pain and physical function compared to class and home based exercise programs
Study 2 Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis (Bartels et al. 2016)
Systematic review - highest quality of evidence, this is an overview of the research
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Aquatic exercise programs running on average for 12 weeks:
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Improves pain, quality of life and disability compared to control
No serious adverse effects reported
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Study 3: Exercise interventions and patient beliefs for people with hip, knee or hip and knee osteoarthritis: a mixed methods review (Hurley et al. 2018)
Systematic review - highest quality of evidence, this is an overview of the research
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Exercise therapy reduced pain after 45 weeks
Physical function improves over 41 weeks
Participants confidence in activities improved by 35 weeks
Exercise groups showed lower rating in depression and anxiety, by 35 and 24 weeks respectively
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Take home message Exercise therapy is beneficial for knee arthritis in improving: Pain, disability, quality of life and depression and anxiety The positive changes can be seen 2-6 months after exercise interventions and ongoing with continued exercise Improvements can be seen between 24 to 45 weeks |
References:
Bartels EM, Juhl CB, Christensen R, Hagen KB, Danneskiold‐Samsøe B, Dagfinrud H, Lund H. Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2016(3).
Fransen M, McConnell S, Hernandez‐Molina G, Reichenbach S. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the hip. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2014(4).
Hurley M, Dickson K, Walsh N, Hauari H, Grant R, Cumming J, Oliver S. Exercise interventions and patient beliefs for people with chronic hip and knee pain: a mixed methods review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2013(12).