Journal article
A manual physical therapy intervention for symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and associated fall risk: A case series of four patients
Physiotherapy theory and practice, Vol.35(4), pp.392-400
04/03/2019
DOI: 10.1080/09593985.2018.1443360
PMID: 29482395
Abstract
Background and purpose: Patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) are at an increased risk of falling. Further, the symptoms associated with knee OA are correlated with fall risk. A manual physical therapy (MPT) approach consisting of mobilizing techniques and reinforcing exercise improves the symptoms and functional limitations associated with knee OA. The purpose of this case series is to evaluate an MPT intervention of mobilization techniques and exercise for knee OA on improving symptoms and quantify the secondary benefit of improving stumble recovery. Case description: Four patients with symptomatic knee OA and four matched controls completed a fall risk assessment. Following 4 weeks of intervention, patients were reevaluated. Outcomes: Initial Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores indicated notable symptoms and functional limitations in all patients. In addition, all patients displayed elevated fall risk and/or impaired stumble responses. Following 4 weeks of intervention, all patients reported meaningful reductions in all three WOMAC subscales and demonstrated improvements in at least two of the three fall risk measures. Discussion: We identified potential connections between symptom relief in patients with knee OA, stumble response, and ultimately fall risk. The results suggest that MPT intervention designed to improve the signs and symptoms of knee OA may lead to a secondary benefit of improved gait stability and stumble response.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- A manual physical therapy intervention for symptoms of knee osteoarthritis and associated fall risk: A case series of four patients
- Creators
- Chris Allen - Army-Baylor University Doctoral Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, Brooke Army Medical CenterRiley Sheehan - Military Performance Lab, Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSAGail Deyle - Army-Baylor University Doctoral Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, Brooke Army Medical CenterJason Wilken - Military Performance Lab, Center for the Intrepid, Brooke Army Medical Center, JBSANorman Gill - Army-Baylor University Doctoral Fellowship in Orthopaedic Manual Physical Therapy, Brooke Army Medical Center
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Physiotherapy theory and practice, Vol.35(4), pp.392-400
- Publisher
- Taylor & Francis
- DOI
- 10.1080/09593985.2018.1443360
- PMID
- 29482395
- ISSN
- 0959-3985
- eISSN
- 1532-5040
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 04/03/2019
- Academic Unit
- Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Science
- Record Identifier
- 9984047716002771
Metrics
24 Record Views