Ease Knee Pain Through Movement

A recent analysis of 14 studies shows that exercise can contribute to better joint function and decreased pain for those suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. Currently, there is no cure for this joint degeneration, and treatment focuses on reducing symptoms to increase comfort for sufferers.

Dr. Marlene Fransen of the University of Sydney, Australia, along with colleagues from the University of Toronto, has reviewed 14 studies that included 1,633 patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. All studies focused on evaluating exercise programs and their effects on these patients. Therapeutic exercise programs included walking, muscle strengthening, balance and co-ordination. Participants were either in an "exercising group" that included 30 to 90 minutes of movement or in a "non-exercising" control group.

Dr. Fransen and her colleagues found that patients in the exercising groups reported moderate reduction in lower limb pain and small improvements in physical function. These findings have led Fransen and colleagues to conclude that, while there is no cure for osteoarthritis, the discomfort and impaired function it creates can be eased by physical activity.