State of the Art Review: Osteoarthritis and Therapeutic Exercise

Abstract

Therapeutic exercise is an invaluable component to a compre hensive treatment program for patients with osteoarthritis. There are several major components to a complete therapeutic exercise program. Compliance with a long-term home exercise program after discharge from a physical therapy program is a very challenging but extremely important issue. Ideally, therapeutic exercise should be provided under the supervision of a physician who is knowledgeable in the use of exercise as a treatment for musculoskeletal conditions. Many practitioners of physical medicine and rehabilitation (physiatrists) can fill this important role for osteoarthritis patients.