Research Paper Title

Exercise for Lower Limb Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review incorporating Trial Sequential Analysis and Network Meta-analysis.

Study Question

Which types of exercise intervention are most effective in relieving pain and improving function in people with lower limb osteoarthritis?

Summary Answer

As of 2002 sufficient evidence had accumulated to show significant benefit of exercise over no exercise. An approach combining exercises to increase strength, flexibility, and aerobic capacity is most likely to be effective for relieving pain and improving function.

What is Known and What This Paper Adds

Current international guidelines recommend therapeutic exercise (land or water based) as “core” and effective management of osteoarthritis. Evidence from this first network meta-analysis, largely based on studies in knee osteoarthritis, indicates that an intervention combining strengthening exercises with flexibility and aerobic exercise is most likely to improve outcomes of pain and function. Further trials of exercise versus no exercise are unlikely to overturn this positive result.

Reference

Uthman, O.A., van der Windt, D.A., Jordan, J.L., Dziedzic, K.S., Healey, E.L., Peat, G.M. & Foster, N.E. (2013) Exercise for Lower Limb Osteoarthritis: Systematic Review incorporating Trial Sequential Analysis and Network Meta-analysis. British Medical Journal. 347:1-38 No.7928, pp.14 (BMJ 2013;347:f5555).

Related articles

• FDA-approved hyaluronic acid injections can help improve function and pain in mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis (medicalnewstoday.com)
• Osteoarthritis Pain (paindoctorsinpa.wordpress.com)