THE EFFECTS OF PHYSICAL THERAPY IN INDIVIDUALS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS: A LITERATURE REVIEW
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.61164/mfrjyk47Keywords:
Osteoartrite, Fisioterapia, Funcionalidade, Exercício TerapêuticoAbstract
Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a chronic inflammatory and degenerative condition that affects cartilage, periarticular structures, and joint mobility, leading to pain, stiffness, and functional impairment. Objective: To critically analyze recent literature on the effects of physiotherapy interventions in the management of KOA. Methodology: A narrative literature review was conducted using the PubMed database, with a search performed between November 2025 and January 2026, using descriptors related to KOA and physiotherapy. Studies published between 2019 and 2025 addressing physiotherapy interventions were included, while animal studies, duplicates, and studies focused solely on pharmacological or surgical treatment were excluded. Results: Structured therapeutic exercise, particularly strengthening and neuromuscular control, showed consistent evidence of benefits for pain and physical function. Complementary therapies such as telerehabilitation, manual therapy, graded motor imagery, and vagus nerve stimulation demonstrated potential benefits, while predominantly passive interventions such as TENS and low-level laser therapy had more modest effects compared to active exercise. Conclusion: Physiotherapy plays a central role in KOA management, with active interventions representing the primary therapeutic approach. Complementary modalities may serve as supportive strategies, although methodological heterogeneity across studies highlights the need for more rigorous research.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Eduardo de Almeida e Neves, Antônia Maiara Nunes da Silva, José Evaldo Gonçalves Lopes - Júnior, Thiago Silva Ferreira, Denise Gonçalves Moura Pinheiro, Najla Maria Nogueira ferreira
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