Effect of Implementing Exercise Program on Pain and Physical Functions among Patients with Moderate Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an irreversible degenerative joint condition that causes pain and disability for around 10% of total population. Therapeutic exercise is the first line of treatment that can reduce pain, enhance physical function, improve quality of life as well as save time and cost. Aim of study: Was to evaluate the effect of implementing exercise program on pain and physical functions among patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis. Design: A quasiexperimental design was utilized. Setting: The study was conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Physical Medicine, Rheumatology and Rehabilitation, El-Hadara Orthopedic and Traumatology University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. Subjects: Fifty patients with moderate knee osteoarthritis (KOA) were recruited. Tools of data collection: Three tools were utilized, I: Self- Reported Questionnaire: Western Ontario and McMaster (WOMAC) OA Index, and Visual Numeric Pain Scale (VNS). II: Clinical Based Data Assessment (Body Mass Index). III: Mobility Index of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Results: There was highly significant improvement of pain, stiffness, physical function disability, VNS, knee range of motion, time up and go, and 30 S-Chairstand test, post exercise program intervention (P<0.001). Conclusion: Implementation of exercise program for moderate KOA patients had decreased pain and promote physical functions among patients with KOA. Recommendations: Prospective studies are recommended to evaluate the effect of long term application of the exercise program for those patients with KOA.