Advances in understanding and managing knee osteoarthritis: Clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation | [Rawal Medical Journal • 2025]

Author(s):

1. Jung-ho Lee: Department of Physical Therapy, Kyungdong University, Wonju-si, Gangwon-do, Republic of Korea

Abstract:

This comprehensive review explores the clinical presentation and diagnostic approaches of knee OA, differentiating its pathophysiology from other types of arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis. The review synthesizes evidence on both conventional and innovative treatment methods, highlighting the roles of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies, including physical therapy, lifestyle modifications, and surgical interventions. Emphasis is placed on evidence-based rehabilitative practices, with detailed discussion on the roles of strengthening, flexibility, balance, and gait training, and the evaluation of outcome measures such as pain reduction, mobility, and quality of life. Addi-tionally, advancements in wearable technology, robo-tic-assisted therapy, and tele-rehabilitation are discus-sed for their potential to optimize personalized treat-ment. By integrating clinical evidence with technologi-cal innovations, this review underscores the necessity of a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach to man-aging knee OA effectively.

Page(s): 510-513

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Rawal Medical Journal, Volume: 50, Issue: 2, Year: 2025

Keywords:

Rehabilitation , diagnosis , Clinical presentation , treatment , knee osteoarthritis

References:

[1] Feeley BT,Gallo RA,Sherman S,Williams RJ .2010 .Management of osteoarthritis of the knee in the active patient. JAAOS-J Am Acad Orthop Surg, 18 : 406-16.

[2] Primorac D,Molnar V,Rod E,Jeleč Ž,Čukelj F,Matišić V .2020 .Knee osteoarthritis: a review of pathogenesis and state-of-theart non-operative therapeutic considerations. Genes, 11 : 854-8.

[3] AC Gelber .2024 .. Knee Osteoarthritis. Ann Intern Med, 177 : ITC129-44.

[4] Torrente-Jimenez RS,Feijoo-Cid M,Rivero-Santana AJ,Perestelo-Pérez L,Torres-Castaño A,Ramos-García V,Bilbao A .2022 .Gender differences in the decision-making process for undergoing total knee replacement. Pat Educ Counsel, 105 : 3459-65.

[5] Knee OA .2020 .cost comparison for hyaluronic acid and knee arthroplasty. J Orthop Surg Res, 15 : 1-9.

[6] Robati RM,Razzaghi Z,Arjmand B,Tavirani MR,Sheibani F.,Introducing F. .2023 .Matrix Metalloproteinases as Crucial Targets for Intraarticular Laser Therapy in Patients with Synovial Fluid of Knee Osteoarthritis. Med J Islam Rep Iran, 37 : 130-5.

[7] Dainese P,Wyngaert KV,De Mits S,Wittoek R,Van Ginckel A,Calders P .2022 .Association between knee inflammation and knee pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Osteo Cartil, 30 : 516-34.

[8] Katz JN,Arant KR,Loeser RF .2021 .Diagnosis and treatment of hip and knee osteoarthritis: a review. JAMA, 325 : 568-78.

[9] Jang S,Lee K,Ju JH .2021 .Recent updates of diagnosis, pathophysiology, and treatment on osteoarthritis of the knee. Int J Mol Sci, 22 : 2619.

[10] Tsokanos A,Livieratou E,Billis E,Tsekoura M,Tatsios P,Tsepis E .2021 .The efficacy of manual therapy in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review. Medicina, 57 : 696.

[11] Roemer FW,Guermazi A,Demehri S,Wirth W,Kijowski R. .2022 .Imaging in osteoarthritis. Osteo cartil, 30 : 913-34.

[12] Perry TA,O'Neill TW,Tolstykh I,Lynch J,Felson DT,Arden NK .2022 .Magnetic resonance imaging-assessed subchondral cysts and incident knee pain and knee osteoarthritis: data from the multicenter osteoarthritis study. Arthr Rheumatol, 74 : 60-9.

[13] Oo WM,Bo MT .2016 .Role of ultrasonography in knee osteoarthritis. J Clin Rheumatol, 22 : 324-9.

[14] Ferreira RM,Torres RT,Duarte JA,Gonçalves RS .2019 .Non-pharmacological and non-surgical interventions for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Acta Reumatol Port, 44 : 173-217.

[15] Jüni P,Hari R,Rutjes AW,Fischer R,Silletta MG,Reichenbach S .2015 .Intra‐articular corticosteroid for knee osteoarthritis. Coch Datab Syst Rev, : .

[16] van Doormaal MC,Meerhoff GA,Vliet Vlieland TP,Peter WF TP .2020 .A clinical practice guideline for physical therapy in patients with hip or knee osteoarthritis. Musculet Care, 18 : 575-95.

[17] Øiestad BE,Årøen A,Røtterud JH,Østerås N,Jarstad E,Grotle M .2023 .The efficacy of strength or aerobic exercise on quality of life and knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A multi-arm randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. BMC Musculoskel Disord, 24 : 714-9.

[18] Bartels EM,Juhl CB,Christensen R,Hagen KB,DanneskioldSamsøe B,Dagfinrud H,Lund H H .2016 .Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis. Coch Datab Syst Rev, : .

[19] Hussain SM,Neilly DW,Baliga S,Patil S,Meek RM .2016 .Knee osteoarthritis: a review of management options. Scot Med J, 61 : 7-16.

[20] Arakgi ME .2022 .Cochrane in CORR: arthroscopic surgery for degenerative knee disease (osteoarthritis including degenerative meniscal tears. Clin Orthop Relat Res, 480 : 1866-73.

[21] Peng H,Ou A,Huang X,Wang C,Wang L,Yu T .2021 .Osteotomy around the knee: the surgical treatment of osteoarthritis. Orthop Surg, 13 : 1465-73.

[22] Alrawashdeh W,Eschweiler J,Migliorini F,El Mansy Y,Tingart M,Rath B .2021 .Effectiveness of total knee arthroplasty rehabilitation programmes: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Rehab Med, 53 : 2784.

[23] Øiestad BE,Årøen A,Røtterud JH,Østerås N,Jarstad E,Grotle M .2023 .The efficacy of strength or aerobic exercise on quality of life and knee function in patients with knee osteoarthritis. A multi-arm randomized controlled trial with 1-year follow-up. BMC Musculoskel Disord, 24 : 714.

[24] Luan L,Bousie J,Pranata A,Adams R .2021 .Stationary cycling exercise for knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Clin Rehabil, 35 : 522-33.

Citations

Downloads

Views