Knee OA and hip and leg strengthening exercise programs

This study compares the efficacy of hip and leg strengthening exercise programs on knee pain, function, and quality of life (QOL) of patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Patients with KOA were randomly assigned to either a 12-week hip or leg strengthening exercise program. Both exercise programs consisted of strengthening and flexibility exercises, which were completed 3 to 5 days a week. the initial 3 weeks of exercise were supervised and the remaining 9 weeks consisted of at-home exercise.

Outcome measures were Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Score (KOOS) and Western Ontario McMaster Arthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaires, 6-minute walk test, hip and knee range of motion (ROM), and hip and leg muscle strength.

Statistically and clinically significant improvements in the KOOS and WOMAC pain subscale scores were seen in both programs. Equal improvements in the KOOS and WOMAC function and QOL subscales were observed for both programs. There was no change in hip and knee ROM or hip and leg strength in either group.

The results indicate  that both hip and leg strengthening exercises improve pain and QOL in patients with KOA and should be incorporated into the exercise prescription of patients with KOA.

> From: Lun et al., Clin J Sport Med (2015) (Epub ahead of print). All rights reserved to Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. Click here for the Pubmed summary.