Older people with knee pain who receive their main care from physiotherapists and pharmacists are more likely to experience improvements in pain levels and knee function, and are less likely to need NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, eg asprin and ibuprofen), according to a BMJ study.
Researchers from Keele University undertook a study funded by the Arthritis Research Campaign involving over 300 people with knee pain. The participants (aged over 55), were split into three groups. The first group took part in an ‘enhanced pharmacy review' with up to 6 appointments with an experienced community pharmacist to monitor the appropriateness and effectiveness of medication. A second group received up to 6 sessions with a physiotherapist, which included general aerobic exercise and specific muscle strengthening and stretching exercises. A final 'control' group received an information and advice leaflet - which was also issued to the other two groups - plus a telephone call to reinforce the information in the leaflet and address any specific concerns about putting the advice into practice.
When compared with the control group, those in the physiotherapy group reported a significant improvement in pain levels and in knee function after three months of treatment. Participants in the pharmacy group also reported improvements in pain levels. However, in the longer term (at six months and 12 months), there were no significant differences in pain or function between the physiotherapy, pharmacy and control group. The researchers suggest that this change may in part be due to a lack of adherence to the programme - as time goes by people may not be as strict about keeping up with their exercise programme or taking their medication.