The effectiveness of exercise in the treatment of osteoarthritic knees: a critical review

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a common cause of pain and disability in the elderly. For many years exercise treatment has been prescribed for patients with knee osteoarthritis. Many authors have investigated the effectiveness of exercise in the treatment of osteoarthritic knees, but due to design flaws in the research undertaken it has been impossible to establish the effectiveness of exercise. Recently, several rigorous studies have been undertaken which have enabled some of the questions regarding the effectiveness of exercise to be answered. A review of the literature has revealed a number of facts regarding exercise treatment for osteoarthritic knees. Exercise treatment when provided by physiotherapists, in a hospital setting, is safe, reduces pain, improves function and increases strength. Exercise classes are well attended and do not exacerbate symptoms in the vast majority of patients. There is no evidence that exercise programmes cause acceleration of the disease process.