EFFECTIVENESS OF MANUAL THERAPY AND ADJUVANT THERAPY IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Background: A common degenerative joint condition called osteoarthritis (OA) is marked by increasing loss of cartilage, joint discomfort, and reduced function. Treatment plans for knee OA usually combine pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures. The potential benefits of manual and adjuvant therapy in controlling symptoms of OA have drawn interest among non-pharmacological techniques. Objective: This review of the literature intends to assess the impact of manual therapy and complementary therapies on knee OA. The main goals were to determine how effectively manual therapies and adjuvant therapies work to improve pain, function, and quality of life in people with knee OA. Methodology: A deliberate research of electronic databases such as PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase was carried out to pinpoint appropriate RCTs that were released from 2018 onwards. Result: Fifteen RCTs in all that met the inclusion criteria were found during the review. These studies' findings imply that manual therapies can significantly enhance pain alleviation, physical function, and patient-reported outcomes for people with osteoarthritis in their knees, either when used alone or in conjunction with adjunctive therapies. Conclusion: The use of manual and adjuvant therapy to address the symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee shows potential. However, more investigation is necessary to determine the best course of action and the long-term effectiveness of manual and complementary therapy in the management of knee osteoarthritis. This includes large-scale RCTs with extended follow-up periods. Keywords: Knee Osteoarthritis, Manual Therapy, Adjuvant Therapy, Pain, Mobilisation.