Exercise therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the hip or knee.

Abstract

Exercise therapy has clearly demonstrated its efficacy in the secondary prevention of knee or hip osteoarthritis. A program of exercises to be performed at least three times a week should be systematically considered in patients with knee or hip osteoarthritis. The exercises should be considered with regard to the level of symptoms of the patients (inflammatory episode of the disease versus chronic “mechanical” pain). The mode of administration (ie, in the hospital vs at home) and the specific role of the different persons intervening in such programs (ie, nurses, physiotherapists, doctors) must be further studied.