Osteoarthritis :: Health, Diseases

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is a common problem throughout the world. As estimated by the World Health Organization, it is one of the major causes of impaired function that reduces quality of life worldwide and estimated to be the fourth leading cause of disability by the year 2020 (Kraus et al., 2006 and Wluka, 2006). Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of chronic disability worldwide including Malaysia (Zakaria et al., 2009). As defined by Jette et al., 2002 disability is the impaired performance of expected socially defined life tasks, in a typical sociocultural and physical environment. Physical function limitation, or difficulty with physical tasks and activities, is fundamental to the development of disability in OA. Pain is likely to be a central factor in the physical function limitation of knee OA, both due to its direct effects on function and as a route through which other factors operate. However, measuring only the pain is not enough. Physiotherapy must know exactly what functional limitation experienced by the patient and help them to handle those instead of treating just the pain. In the study by Izal et al., 2010 they discovered that there was discrepancy between levels of disability and quality of life (QOL) of Spanish elderly people with OA knee. They found this disparity possible due to active coping strategies practiced by the patient such as positive self-statements, re-interpreting pain sensations, distraction, ignoring sensations, prayer and joint protection strategies. Knee Osteoarthritis prevalence is expected to rise significantly in the upcoming decades due to increasing life expectancy and decreasing physical activity, leading to a constant increase in body weight. Facing this situation, the WHO and the United Nations have declared the years 2000 to 2010 to be the "Bone and Joint Decade" (Rosemann et al., 2007). The exact prevalence of OA is difficult to determine because of the lack of use of standardized criteria. In epidemiological studies OA is often described by radiological criteria, however radiological disease especially when mild has poor correlation with the presence of pain. Studies found that in all populations, so far the prevalence of knee OA is higher than that of hip OA but this is more marked in Asian populations. In Malaysia, knee becomes the most common site for OA (Zakaria et al, 2009). Regarding prevalence, it is a frequently replicated result that women have a higher probability for developing OA, especially OA of the knee (Felson et al.