Synopsis: 07

MANUAL PHYSICAL THERAPY IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Dr. J Andrews Milton

Bethany Nava Jeevan College

Trivandrum, Kerala

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, and the leading cause of disability and pain affecting middle-aged and elderly people worldwide caused by structural changes in joints resulting in pain, deterioration of function, and disability Current conventional treatments include non-pharmacological measures, medication, and surgical procedures. For non-pharmacological intervention, losing weight is strongly recommended, but long-term acceptance or compliance of weight loss is generally poor. Among non-pharmacologic interventions, manual therapy is widely used. Three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have demonstrated that manual therapy could reduce pain, alleviate stiffness, and improve physical function. For KOA patients, the most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and physical dysfunction, which also affect quality of life .Studies have shown that manual therapy has a positive effect on the modulation of pain in knee osteoarthritis A combination of manual therapy and guided exercises has functional benefits for patients with knee osteoarthritis Manual therapy and a guided exercise program can reduce the burden of complaint and postpone the need for surgery therefore reducing cost.