Imagine Physical Therapy Treats Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee Osteoarthritis (OA)

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a very common degenerative disease that can occur with the normal process of aging. Knee OA is characterized by a decrease in the joint space in the knee as well as bone remodeling and muscular weakness. The most common symptoms of knee OA are pain, swelling, and instability. If you are noticing pain in your knee when performing activities of daily living or instability with movement, then you may be experiencing knee OA. 

Should I get Surgery?

There are a lot of people who think that the only way to get rid of the pain with knee OA is to have surgery, but with most knee OA cases surgery is not the best option. In fact, one study found that there was no significant difference in patients with mild-to-moderate knee OA in function or pain when comparing knee surgery to those who participated in physical therapy.¹ Physical therapy is not just an alternative to surgery but should be considered a primary solution for treating knee OA. 

Why Physical Therapy?

At Imagine Physical Therapy, we are movement experts and understand how to improve your function and decrease your pain with knee OA. There is no need to suffer from knee pain when you can reduce and eliminate your pain with physical therapy. Studies have shown that strengthening muscles in the knee can help reduce the pressure on the knee joint resulting in decreased pain and improved mobility.² The physical therapists at Imagine Physical Therapy are also skilled at manual therapy including ultrasound, dry needling, Mulligan mobilization with movement techniques and other interventions that have been shown to decrease pain and improve physical function with patients who have knee OA.³ If you are experiencing pain from knee OA, give us a call to schedule an appointment.

For all of your physical therapy questions, concerns, or to schedule an appointment, Contact our team at Imagine Physical Therapy today!

References

1. Katz JN, Brophy RH, Chaisson CE, et al. Surgery versus physical therapy for a meniscal tear and osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2013;368(18):1675-1684. https://search.proquest.com/docview/1348130523?accountid=158603. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMoa1301408.
2. Farrokhi S, Voycheck CA, Tashman S, Fitzgerald GK. A Biomechanical Perspective on Physical Therapy Management of Knee Osteoarthritis. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy. 2013;43(9):600-619. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=90248911&site=eds-live
3. Wu Y, Zhu S, Lv Z, et al. Effects of therapeutic ultrasound for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Clinical Rehabilitation. 2019;33(12):1863-1875. http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=s3h&AN=139456155&site=eds-live