Patients with osteoarthritis need reassurance that exercise will improve their condition

COCHRANE REVIEW: Hurley M, Dickson K, Hallett R, Grant R, Hauari H, Walsh N, Stansfield C, Oliver S. Exercise interventions and patient beliefs for people with hip, knee or hip and knee osteoarthritis: a mixed methods review. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2018, Issue 4. Art. No. CD010842. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD010842.pub2.

THE PROBLEM: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating condition affecting over 20% of the population over 50 years of age.¹ Approximately 15% of people over the age of 50 will consult their general practitioner (GP) with regard to knee pain annually.¹ This Cochrane review not only set out to determine if exercise was beneficial for this population but also incorporated qualitative information about how patients perceived their condition and their beliefs on the best treatments.²

CLINICAL BOTTOM LINE: Evidence showed that sufferers of OA may avoid activity for fear of causing further harm. Patients with OA also expressed some pessimism about the possibility of exercise helping when the damage was already done. This review has shown that participation in exercise programs may slightly improve physical function, pain, depression and quality of life. GPs should encourage sufferers of OA to participate in exercise programmes and reassure patients that this will not harm them.²