Osteoarthritis patients can benefit from a qualified, conservative therapy program

A Norwegian study has now shown how many patients with osteoarthritis (OA) can benefit from a qualified, conservative therapy program.

It is wise to consider all non-surgical treatment options before resorting to an artificial hip or knee joint implant."

Professor Iain B. McInnes, University of Glasgow, Scotland, EULAR President

Yet in many cases, doctors and patients fail to exhaust the full range of conservative therapy options.

The study design, a so-called cluster-randomised trial (CRT), comprised a programme developed based on international treatment recommendations for hip and knee osteoarthritis (OA). It included an initial three-hour patient education programme, among other things. This was followed by 8-12 weeks of individually tailored exercises supervised by physiotherapists. The programme was facilitated by general practitioners, primary care physicians and physiotherapists, who also received prior training. A total of 393 patients participated in the study; 284 were included in the special osteoarthritis programme and 109 (control group) continued their usual care.

The participants were at least 45 years old and presented with clinical OA symptoms such as reduced mobility or pain. They were re-examined 12 months after the beginning of the programme. The study parameters included but were not limited to quality of care, satisfaction with care, physical activity, and referrals to physiotherapy or orthopaedic surgeons. The researchers also recorded whether joint replacement surgery was performed.

92 percent of the patients participated in the patient education programme and 64 percent completed a minimum participation period of at least eight weeks of exercise. Twelve months later, the intervention group reported a significantly higher quality of care (score of 58, versus 41 for the control group). The study participants also reported significantly higher satisfaction with care (Odds ratio (OR) 7.8; 95% CI 3.55, 17.27). A significantly larger proportion (OR: 4.0; 95% CI 1.27, 12.63) also met the recommendations for physical activity compared to the control group. A smaller proportion was referred to orthopaedic surgeons (OR 0.5; 95% CI 0.29, 1.00) and an even smaller proportion (4%) received joint replacement surgery during the observation period, compared to the control group (11%, OR 0.3; 95% CI 0.14, 0.74).

"The implementation of a structured model for OA care led to an improved quality of care, higher patient satisfaction and increased physical activity, despite OA," stated co-author of the study Tuva Moseng, Diakonhjemmet Hospital, Oslo, Norway. There is also some evidence to suggest that a structured OA programme including patient education and exercise may delay or even reduce the need for surgery after 12 months.

Professor John Isaacs from Newcastle University, UK, and Chair of the EULAR 2020 Scientific Programme Committee summarized: "Once again, we see just how important and effective consistent, conservative therapy is for our OA patients." He urged that "conservative care based on the international recommendations for OA treatment should become the standard for all patients."