The knee is subjected to injuries, accidents, and traumatic accidents quite frequently. Moreover, in lieu of extensive mobility of knee joints, it is a common site of degenerative joints disorders like osteoarthritis.
LC. Almekinders conducted a research study on 102 patients in order to assess the pace of recovery in physically active individuals who suffered moderate musculoskeletal injuries. Subjects with a history of moderate to severe injury 27 months ago were included in the study and it was observed that 53% of all study participants were not able to achieve their pre-injury status. Almekinders identified that acute injury of knee joint was the most common injury with a less favorable prognosis in the study participants.
Knee pain is most commonly associated with over-stretching of ligaments or muscles as part of physical activity (during sports) or as part of injury. Osteoarthritis refers to inflammation of the knee joint as a result of long standing inflammation or wear and tear changes due to the aging process. The primary pathology is deterioration of joint cartilage that prevents smooth movements across the joint surfaces.
Osteoarthritis is marked by pain and stiffness that affects normal day to day activities and limited range of joint motion over time. Formation of bone spurs further lead to a grating sensation and since the knee joint is the primary joint for motility of lower limbs, quality of life is significantly affected in patients of osteoarthritis.
Although physical therapy has always been considered as one of the essential pillars in the management of osteoarthritis in order to improve optimal joint health and maintenance of functional joints, it is nevertheless a huge challenge for osteoarthritis patients to perform a variety of physical therapy exercises. This makes it difficult for such patients to continue their jobs and normal occupational responsibilities.
The latest research conducted at University of Michigan Health System has presented a workable solution to sort out this problem. The researchers presented a new approach that is referred to as Activity Strategy Training that is especially targeted to provide occupational therapy to patients with well-established hip and knee osteoarthritis. The research conducted by Assistant Professor at U-M Medical School, in the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Susan L. Murphy and her associates suggested that Activity Strategy Training in addition to physical therapy and health education enhance physical activity and range of motion several times when compared to health education and exercise alone.
P Sarzi-Puttini suggested in another study published in Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, according to which osteoarthritis patients can maintain their work related responsibilities and physical independence at work by the modification of furniture and use of walking aids to lessen pain and discomfort. He stressed upon the need of frequent visits and periodic analysis to an occupational therapist as the need and demand of different aids changes over time. He indicated that occupational therapy directed at improving physical mobility and independence can decrease the risk of physical, financial and psychological dependence in osteoarthritis patients.
Karen Walker-Bone suggested complete and up-to-date pharmacological and nonpharmacological management options in a report published at British Medical Journal to treat osteoarthritis. According to Karen, social support by regular telephone calls can help in improving treatment outcomes by increasing functional stability and pain relief. Social support is an essential component of occupational therapy along with introduction of certain interventions like use of orthoses, and splints, delivery of walking aids and modifications in the workplace Karen suggested that the combination of various non- pharmacological interventions can help in relieving disability by 49%. Most practical combinations suggested are provision of splintage and a variety of exercise programs that can be modulated according to individual needs.
A variety of support groups and local organizations can be contacted to improve communication, physical independence and psychological support in all such patients.
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