Your patient has degenerative joint disease of the knees.Although currently her left knee is asymptomatic, she has been experiencing pain and periodic "giving way" of her right knee for the past week.Her physician prescribed anti-inflammatory medication to reduce joint swelling and pain and has referred the patient to you for evaluation and treatment.The patient is experiencing significant stiffness of the knee, especially in the morning and after sitting for an extended period of time.Although she indicates that pain and swelling have decreased during the past few days since she began taking the prescribed medication, pain is still notable during walking and with movement toward the end of the range of motion (ROM) (more so in flexion than extension).Knee ROM is limited (active and passive knee flexion 100°; passive knee extension lacks 10°; active knee extension lacks 20°).Strength of knee musculature is 4/5.She exhibits an antalgic gait pattern.Which of the following interventions is most appropriate for this patient at this time?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The most appropriate intervention for this patient with degenerative joint disease of the knee, who is experiencing pain and stiffness, is a combination of exercises to improve range of motion, strength, and dynamic control of the knee, along with activity modification and use of a cane during ambulation to reduce stress on the affected joint. Quadriceps setting exercises, active ROM within pain-free ranges, resisted multiple-angle isometrics, dynamic control of the knee with bilateral closed-chain exercises, and activity modification are all appropriate interventions to improve knee function and reduce pain in patients with degenerative joint disease. Ice and rest, low-intensity stretching, eccentric but no concentric resisted exercises, and vigorous resistance exercises of the asymptomatic knee are not appropriate interventions for this patient at this time.

Your Patient Has Degenerative Joint Disease of the Knees