Managing Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis with Exercise
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Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease Review Ther Adv Musculoskel Dis Managing hip and knee osteoarthritis with (2010) 2(5) 279290 DOI: 10.1177/ exercise: what is the best prescription? 1759720X10378374 ! The Author(s), 2010. Reprints and permissions: Maura Daly Iversen http://www.sagepub.co.uk/ journalsPermissions.nav Abstract: Hip and knee osteoarthritis are common, chronic, and disabling. Therapeutic exer- cise is a component of all major rheumatologic society guidelines, yet the frequency, dose, duration, and therapeutic threshold for exercise are not clearly delineated. This review sum- marizes current studies of exercise for hip and knee osteoarthritis, discusses issues that influence the design, interpretation, and aggregation of results and how these factors impact the translation of data into clinical practice. A review of databases to identify current ran- domized controlled trials (2000 to present) of exercise to manage the symptoms of hip and knee osteoarthritis is discussed here. One study enrolling only hip patients was identified. Six studies of outcomes for individuals with hip or knee osteoarthritis and 11 studies of persons with knee osteoarthritis were found. Limited studies focus specifically on exercise for persons with hip osteoarthritis. Exercise is provided as a complex intervention combining multiple modes and provided in various settings under a range of conditions. Regardless of the vari- ability in results and inherent biases in trials, exercise appears to reduce pain and improve function for persons with knee osteoarthritis and provide pain relief for persons with hip osteoarthritis. Given the complexity of exercise interventions and the specific issues related to study design, novel approaches to the evaluation of exercise are warranted. Keywords: guidelines, hip and knee osteoarthritis, therapeutic exercise Introduction independence. Pharmacotherapeutic options Correspondence to: Osteoarthritis is a common chronic disabling include acetaminophen, anti-inflammatory med- Maura Daly Iversen, PT, DPT, SD, MPH, BSc condition whose primary pathology is cartilage ications, glucosamine, chondroitin sulfate, capsa- Professor and Chair, destruction. Epidemiologic data indicate the icin and opiate derivatives [Zhang et al. 2007, Department of Physical Therapy, Northeastern impact of osteoarthritis on work disability in 2005; Fraenkel et al. 2004; Hochberg et al. University, 301C Robinson men over 50 years of age is only second to ische- 1995]. These medications target inflammation Hall, 360 Huntington Avenue, Boston, mic heart disease [Arden and Nevit, 2006; and relieve pain. The integration of nonpharma- MA 02115, USA; D’Ambrosia, 2005]. Some epidemiologic studies cologic interventions such as therapeutic exer- Department of Physical Therapy, Northeastern rely on radiographic evidence of osteoarthritis, cise, manual therapy, splinting, bracing, University, Section of but the correlation between radiographic changes orthotics and assistive devices are recommended Clinical Sciences, Division of Rheumatology, in the joints and symptoms is modest at best and provide a low-cost and minimal-risk option Immunology and Allergy, [Bedson and Croft, 2008]. While osteoarthritis for patients to manage their disease. Among these Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical may present in the spine and hands, the large nonpharmacologic interventions, therapeutic School, Boston, MA, USA weight-bearing joints such as the hips and knees exercise is the most studied and supported in [email protected] are most frequently affected. the literature [Fransen et al. 2009a, 2009b; Moe et al. 2007; Zhang et al. 2007, 2005; Hochberg Clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis include et al. 1995]. In fact, exercise is a component of altered proprioception, muscle weakness and the management guidelines for hip and knee atrophy, pain, stiffness, and limitations in func- osteoarthritis among numerous professional tional activities and social participation [Iversen rheumatologic and health societies (Figure 1). and Steiner, 2009]. With progressive disease, malalignment and bone-on-bone joint pain may While exercise is a recognized component of the be present. Osteoarthritis management focuses management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, spe- on pain relief and maximizing function and cific details regarding exercise prescription are http://tab.sagepub.com 279 Therapeutic Advances in Musculoskeletal Disease 2 (5) variable and vague. The variability and lack of parameters established for measurement and specificity of exercise recommendations is related maintenance of treatment adherence. Efficacy in part, to the heterogeneous nature of exercise, studies of exercise, by definition, require subject as well as to issues with the design, implementa- supervision and, thus, providerclient interac- tion and reporting of nonpharmacologic inter- tions may have an impact on adherence and out- ventions [Iversen and Petersson, 2006]. Much comes. Lastly, not all outcomes used in exercise like pharmacologic interventions, exercise pro- trials have established minimal clinically duces differing physiologic changes depending important differences and may be at risk for on the mode and dose used. Exercise can include floor and ceiling effects, leading to issues of but is not limited to: balance and proprioception power and clinical relevance [Bedson and Croft, activities, isometric, isokinetic exercise with or 2008; Iversen and Petersson, 2006; Boutron et al. without resistance, flexibility exercises, core sta- 2003]. bilization exercises and aerobic/endurance exer- cises. This inherent heterogeneity of exercise Between 1966 and 2005 there have been a reported leads to difficulties with attribution issues when 34 published clinical practice guidelines for the reporting the results of clinical trials, as exercise is management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, 15 sys- often not provided in a single mode but as a com- tematic reviews and numerous Cochrane reviews of bination of therapeutic options. Complicating the exercise for the management of hip and knee oste- issue is that fact that exercise interventions oarthritis [Bischoff and Roos, 2003; Brosseau et al. require the active participation of subjects, pro- 2003; Fransen et al. 2003; Petrella, 2000; van Baar hibiting the option for double blinding within the et al. 1999; La Mantia and Marks, 1995; Puett and design of clinical trials. The requirement for Griffin, 1994]. Since 2005 additional attempts to active subject participation leads to a greater like- summarize and aggregate these data have been con- lihood of dropouts, as patients cannot be blinded ducted [Farrar and Mitchell, 2009; Fransen et al. to treatment allocation. In addition, active 2009a, 2009b; Hernandez-Molina et al. 2008; participation must be operationally defined, and Mazieres et al. 2008; Misso et al. 2008; Bartels World health organization recommendation of 30 minutes of regular, moderate-intensity physical activity, 5 days/wk EULAR for HOA and OARSI HOA and KOA KOA Referral to physical therapist for Regular exercise optimal evaluation and instruction in exercise regimen not yet What appropriate exercises. Patients determined exercise encouraged to undertake & is best? maintain regular exercise- aerobic, strengthening and range of motion. NHS for HOA and For patients with symptomatic hip KOA OA water exercises can be helpful Activity and exercise SRS for OA recommended- 6-8 wks exercise. Exercise goal irrespective of age, determines type of exercise. Do comorbidity, pain, or daily activities exercise with ACR for HOA and KOA disability. Local <50° knee flexion. Individual Aerobic, Range-of-motion strengthening, general exercise as effective as group and muscle strengthening aerobic fitness. exercise. Supervised exercise exercises Manipulation and greater pain relief and Physical and occupational stretching as adjunct compliance than home exercises therapy Rx for hip OA Figure 1. Summary of published guidelines for the use of exercise in the management of hip and knee oste- oarthritis. HOA, hip osteoarthritis; KOA, knee osteoarthritis; OA, osteoarthritis; EULAR, European league against rheumatism; OARSI, osteoarthritis research society international; SRS, scoliosis research society; ACR, American college of rheumatology; NHS, national health service. Reproduced with permission from Iversen, MD. Presentation at EULAR meeting, Copenhagen, DK. 280 http://tab.sagepub.com MD Iversen et al. 2007; Pisters et al. 2007; Vignon et al. 2006; treatment effect for pain reduction (ES ¼0.49; Roddy et al. 2005] (Table 1). Studies included in 95% CI À0.77 to À0.20), but no benefit of exercise these reviews and meta-analyses vary with respect to in terms of improved self-reported physical sample demographics (inclusion/exclusion criteria, function. sample size, recruitment strategies), and extraction and synthesis of data. A recent meta-analysis To better understand the variability in results and [Hernandez-Molina et al. 2008] consisting of nine impact across all outcomes, a closer inspection of clinical studies of exercise versus no treatment for the attributes of exercise interventions provided hip osteoarthritis reported a moderate effect size in randomized controlled trials of exercise for (À0.38) for pain relief. The authors commented persons with hip and knee osteoarthritis is war- there was a high degree of heterogeneity among ranted. For this review, the following databases the interventions. With the removal of one clinical were