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Exercise Therapy as Treatment for Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

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European Instructional Lectures

Part of the book series: European Instructional Lectures ((EICL,volume 13))

Abstract

Patients with arthritic pain from the joints instinctively believe that they should rest for the pain to go away. We now have overwhelming evidence that this is wrong; patients with OA should exercise to relieve their pain. Here Orthopaedic surgeons who see patients with OA in their everyday clinical practice can have a large impact by informing their patients about the pain relief and functional improvement seen from exercise, that exercise is safe for OA patients, with positive side benefits such as improved mood, quality of life and improved general health, including reduced risk of other diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.

In an Orthopaedic context, exercise can be applied as a single non-operative treatment for patients not eligible for surgery, or as an adjunct to surgery in those eligible for surgery. In combination with surgery, exercise can be prescribed prior to surgery or after surgery. This chapter concerns the rationale for prescribing exercise in OA, describes different types of exercise and current knowledge about mechanisms and effects.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Research Unit for Musculoskeletal Function and Physiotherapy, Institute of Sports Science and Clinical Biomechanics, University of Southern Denmark, Campusvej 55, Odense, Denmark

    Ewa M. Roos PT, MSc, PhD

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  1. Ewa M. Roos PT, MSc, PhD
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Correspondence to Ewa M. Roos PT, MSc, PhD .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Brockley Hill, Stanmore, HA7 4LP, Middlesex, United Kingdom

    George Bentley

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Roos, E.M. (2013). Exercise Therapy as Treatment for Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee. In: Bentley, G. (eds) European Instructional Lectures. European Instructional Lectures, vol 13. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36149-4_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36149-4_3

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-36148-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-36149-4

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