The Management of Knee Osteoarthritis

All clinical, practicing physical therapists encounter patients with osteoarthritis of the knee or a potential for developing the disease. Osteoarthritis is the leading cause for disability in the general population of the United States. Arthritis of the knee alone afflicts more than 4 million people, and research shows that 14% of individuals aged between 40 and 79 described knee pain with disability on most days of the previous month. Because of the increase in life expectancy within most societies of the western world, the high prevalence of OA is expected to increase further in upcoming years. For example, the number of first-time total knee replacements is expected to skyrocket 673% to 3.48 billion by 2030. Physical therapy is among the treatment options for people who suffer from osteoarthritis and intends to prevent physical impairment and restore functional ability through the use of exercise, physical modalities and patient education.

The goal of this program is to provide physical therapists with an overview of osteoarthritis of the knee and evidence-based interventions that can diminish pain, enhance function, and, in some cases, prevent the need for total knee arthroplasty. When you complete this module, you will be able to:

 

 

Gannett Healthcare Group is an approved sponsor by the New York State Education Department of continuing education for physical therapists and physical therapist assistants from October 21, 2009 to October 21, 2012.

 

This activity is provided by the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners Accredited Provider #GED012010TPTA2012004 and meets continuing competence requirements for physical therapist and physical therapist assistant licensure renewal in Texas for the period of 1/1/2010 through 12/31/2012. The assignment of Texas PT CCUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by TPTA or TBPTE.

 

As of 4/5/10, Gannett Education is recognized by the Physical Therapy Board of California as an approved reviewer and provider of continuing competency courses for the state of California.

 

Gannett Education was approved as a provider of continuing education by the North Carolina Physical Therapy Association (provider no. 09-0215-001PR) from March 8, 2009 through March 8, 2010.

 

This course has been approved as meeting the continuing education requirements for PTs and PTAs by the Ohio Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 07S1182, expiration date 10/12/08; approval no. 08S1261, expiration date 10/28/09; approval no. 09S1581 for 10/29/09 to 10/28/10; 11S0707 for 10/30/10 to 10/30/11; 11S1832 for 10/31/11 to 10/31/12); the Florida Physical Therapy Association (approval no. CW80011568, expiration date 12/31/08; CM90013193 for 01/01/09 to 12/31/09; CM100015262 for 03/11/10 to 12/31/10; CM110017105 for 01/01/11 to 12/31/11; CM120417119 for 01/01/12 to 12/31/12); the Texas Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (approval no. 42525A, expiration date 12/10/08; approval no. 44747A, expiration date 12/10/09); the Tennessee Physical Therapy Association for Class 1 Continuing Education Requirement (approval no. 3748 for 05/09/11 to 05/08/12); the Pennsylvania Board of Physical Therapy (approval no. PTCE002196 for 05/28/11 to 12/31/12); and the New Jersey Board of Physical Therapy Examiners (approval no. 538-2007, expiration date 1/31/10; approval no. 291-2010 for 2/1/10 to 1/31/12; 120-2012 from 02/01/12 to 01/31/14). Approval of this course does not necessarily imply the Florida Physical Therapy Association supports the views of the presenter or the sponsors.

 

This course has been approved by the Maryland State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 0.1 CEU for 04/12/11 to 04/12/15 and by the Nevada State Board of Physical Therapy Examiners for 0.1 units of continuing education for 07/26/11 to 07/31/13.

 

The Illinois Chapter Continuing Education Committee has certified that this course meets the criteria for approval of Continuing Education offerings established by The Illinois Physical Therapy Association (approval no. 359-2673, expiration date 12/1/09; approval no. 437.3196 for 2/1/2010 to 2/1/2011; 437-3797 for 04/01/11 to 04/01/12; 437-4126 for 04/01/12 to 04/01/13). According to the Rules for the Administration of the Illinois Physical Therapy Act (section 13460.61) published by the Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, a physical therapist or physical therapist assistant applying for re-licensure in Illinois can earn a maximum of 50 percent of their required continuing education hours from self-study. The hours awarded of this course are designated for self-study CE credit.

 

Other states may accept this course for meeting their CE requirements. Check with your state association or board.