Self-Management Program on Pain and Function in Patients with Osteoarthritis of the Knee

Abstract

Over 27 million people suffer with osteoarthritis in the United States, a chronic disabling condition. The purpose of the pilot project was to determine whether an education self-management program of physical activity in adult patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, at a large urban academic medical center whom presented to the emergency department and orthopedic clinic setting, improved pain and function. The project study design was quasi-experimental with pre and post testing at 6 weeks. The evidence-based intervention was an educational self-management program from the National Physical Activity Guidelines. The outcomes measured for a difference in pain and function by the Western Ontario and McMasters Universities scale index pre and post the intervention. After 6 weeks, the participants reported lower WOMAC scores (p= .021, p= .037), reflecting a better outcome overall and in function respectively. Pain score difference (p= .051) was marginally close but was not statistically significant. In an effort to address the societal cost and impact of osteoarthritis, health providers can provide early education to osteoarthritis patients to self-manage their symptoms.