Arthritis Conditions & Arthritis Treatment in Winnipeg MB
The term “arthritis” blankets over 100 conditions with joint and musculoskeletal pain as the common denominator www.arthritis.ca. Those which may benefit from physiotherapy treatment include but are not limited to Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid arthritis, Fibromyalgia and Ankylosing Spondylitis.
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis is often treated with a combination of arthroscopic surgery, medication, physiotherapy and changes in daily living management in order to stall or prevent the need for a possible joint replacement. These treatment methods show benefits in managing osteoarthritis. Current research findings demonstrate results where physiotherapy and medical management alone may be as beneficial for pain and function without undergoing arthroscopic surgery.
Examples of such studies are found in journals such as The New England Journal of Medicine; a journal known to publish reliable and valid research. To read the article, please see the links below.
Kirkley et al, 2008
188 subjects with knee arthritis were split into two groups in a randomized controlled trial. The first group underwent arthroscopic debridement of the knee joint and received appropriate medical care and physiotherapy for 12 weeks post op. The second group only received appropriate medical care and 12 weeks of physiotherapy. The result showed no additional benefit to surgery.
Moseley et al, 2002
A randomized Moseley et al, 2002 A randomized placebo-controlled trial of 180 patients with knee osteoarthritis either underwent arthroscopic debridement and lavage of their knee or a sham surgery with only and incision. The result showed no difference in pain or function between surgeries.
Please consult your Doctor or Physiotherapist to assess your individual needs for managing your arthritis.