Nurse Practitioner's Role to Reduce Osteoarthritis Pain in Patient's with Knee Osteoarthritis by Using the thigh Muscle Exercise Program

Abstract

       Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of Osteoarthritis and leading cause of disability in older adults. It is a disease with an increasing prevalence in old age. Clinical   description of degenerative knee joint disease includes stiffness joint, osteophytes and      decrease of joint movement. Medications and non-medication treatments may help with   symptoms; it has been found that the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug is more effective than analgesics drug and preferred using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug to reduce osteoarthritis pain. However, in the   previous studies, it was found that nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug could cause side effect in Gastrointestinal system. Nurse practitioners performing primary health care, it is important to have the health history and basic physical examination and non-pharmacological therapy in osteoarthritis patients with management  program to enhance the strength of the thigh muscles. From review literature, the thigh muscle exercise program has given better results for gait and posture. It is a safe alternative to side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and it is a potential development of nurse practitioner's in the provision of appropriate health care services for knee osteoarthritis.