Exercise Therapy Does Not Harm Osteoarthritic Knees

PHYSIO MOSMAN: https://www.fitasaphysio.com/

The sources comprise a clinical commentary from the Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapyaddressing the widespread belief that exercise therapy harms or "wears down" the knee joint in patients with osteoarthritis (OA). The authors, Alessio Bricca, Carsten Bogh Juhl, and Ewa M. Roos, assert that this misconception stems from misinterpretations of early laboratory findings and the "wear and tear" analogy often used to describe OA. Systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials do not support this fear, consistently demonstrating that exercise therapy is safe and does not negatively impact cartilage structure or quality; it may even improve it. The text encourages clinicians to proactively dispel this myth using communication strategies, such as the "sponge analogy," to promote exercise therapy as a safe and essential first-line treatment for knee OA.

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