PAIN RELIEF WITH PREVENTIVE MEASURES AMONG KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS: A COMPARISON BETWEEN FOLLOWERS VERSUS NON FOLLOWERS

Abstract

Objective: To compare mean pain scores among knee osteoarthritis patients following or not following
preventive measures.

Study Design: Comparative prospective study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the department of orthopedics, Pakistan Ordinance
Factory (POF) Hospital, Wah Cantt, from Jun 2018 to May 2019.

Methodology: Patients were divided into two groups (using random number table); group A was given pain
relief medications only while group B was given a combination of pain relief medication and preventive measure. Patients were followed for 3 and 6 months after the intervention. Data was analyzed with SPSS software.

Results: Total 52 knee osteoarthritis patients were included in study (26 patients in each group). Mean age of
patients was 54.3 ± 6.4 year. Significantly lower pain scores were found in group B as compared to group A after
3 (5.50 ± 0.98 vs 4.84 ± 1.00 respectively, p=0.02) and 6 months (3.53 ± 0.50 vs 4.96 ± 1.11 respectively, p<0.01) of
intervention. Knee injury and osteoarthritis outcome scores were significantly lower in group B as compared to
group A (p<0.05) after 6 months.

Conclusion: Pain is most common knee osteoarthritis symptom. Combination of pain relief medicines and
preventive measures in daily life are more effective in controlling pain intensity as compared to pain relief
medications only. Early diagnosis and management can improve disease prognosis.