Effects of Community Exercise Rehabilitation on Pain Management, Range of Motion, and Physical Function in Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis leads to muscle weakness, reduced joint range of motion (ROM), and increased pain in the muscles surrounding the knee. This study investigated pain management and joint function recovery after participation of 78 patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) in a 12-week community-based exercise rehabilitation program. We assessed the pain associated with KOA and verified knee angles. We measured physical activity function level in terms of muscular endurance, walking in place, timed up-and-go, and single-leg stance tests. Additionally, we used mus cular endurance and balance (measurements at 2-week intervals to assess functional recovery and adjust exercise programs. An assessment was performed after the 12-week intervention period. After the intervention, the pain visual analog scale score was significantly decreased (P < 0.001). Maximum flexion was significantly increased (P < 0.001). Flexion contracture was markedly improved (P < 0.004), confirming recovery of knee joint ROM. Moreover, significant improvements were observed in various indicators of physical function, indicating the effectiveness of the individualized exercise rehabilitation programs. Thus, our personal ized exercise rehabilitation programs coupled with periodic assessments of pain and joint function were highly effective in facilitating functional recovery. This underscores the necessity for sustained exercise re habilitation following musculoskeletal disorder treatment. In particular, the protocol for exercise rehabilitation should be tailored to the post-treat ment phase and individual functional level.