Having just seen a patient at the grand age of 96 years old, I thought I would write a little about how exercise therapy can help those who suffer with osteoarthritis, specifically related to the hip and knee.
There is strong evidence to suggest that exercise in general can help patients manage their pain of hip and knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis affects as many as 8.75 million people over the age of 45 in the UK, and nearly 75% of those are in constant pain, which can have detrimental effects on their quality of life.
A combination of aerobic, strength and mobility exercises are thought to offer the most favourable benefits, but these must be specific to the needs and capabilities of the patient. The benefits of exercise continue to have a positive effect on reducing pain levels even after 3-18 months of stopping the programme.
Prescribing an exercise programme can apply to all, irrespective of age, pain level, co-morbidity and disability, as long as the exercises are highly specific to the individual.
(Ruddock, J. 2018. Exercise therapy in the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. National Council of Osteopathic Research).
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