Manual for guided home exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee.
BACKGROUND
Physiotherapy is one of the most important components of therapy for osteoarthritis of the knee. The objective of this prospective case series was to assess the efficiency of a guidance manual for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in relation to pain, range of movement , muscle strength and function, active goniometry, manual strength test and function.


METHODS
Thirty-eight adults with osteoarthritis of the knee (>or= 45 years old) who were referred to the physiotherapy service at the university hospital (Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo) were studied. Patients received guidance for the practice of specific physical exercises and a manual with instructions on how to perform the exercises at home. They were evaluated for pain, range of movement, muscle strength and function. These evaluations were performed before they received the manual and three months later. Patients were seen monthly regarding improvements in their exercising abilities.


RESULTS
The program was effective for improving muscle strength, controlling pain, maintaining range of movement of the knee joint, and reducing functional incapacity.


CONCLUSIONS
A review of the literature showed that there are numerous clinical benefits to the regular practice of physical therapy exercises by patients with osteoarthritis of the knee(s) in a program with appropriate guidance. This study shows that this guidance can be attained at home with the use of a proper manual.


CONCLUSIONS
Even when performed at home without constant supervision, the use of the printed manual for orientation makes the exercises for osteoarthritis of the knee beneficial.
Carvalho
Nilza Aparecida de Almeida
NA
Irmandade da Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.
Bittar
Simoni Teixeira
ST
Pinto
Flávia Ribeiro de Souza
FR
Ferreira
Mônica
M
Sitta
Robson Roberto
RR
D000368:Aged; D018771:Arthralgia / Q000534:rehabilitation; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008297:Male; D008370:Manuals as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome