Question

Mr. Khan is a 60-year-old male truck driver referred to physical therapy with osteoarthritis of the left knee. He reports increased knee pain and thigh muscle soreness after recent leg exercises. His goal is to control post-exercise discomfort. Which physical agents are required for intervention, and how should they be applied?

a) Ice pack, Apply for 15 minutes
b) Heat therapy, Apply after exercises for pain relief
c) Compression bandage, Apply for muscle soreness
d) Ultrasound, Apply for 10 minutes

Answer 1

For managing osteoarthritis pain and post-exercise discomfort in the knee, the use of both heat therapy before exercises and an ice pack afterwards is recommended. A compression bandage can be useful for thigh muscle soreness. The physical therapy goal is to help the patient to return to normal activity levels and manage pain.

Step-by-step explanation:

Selection of Physical Agents for Osteoarthritis Intervention

For Mr. Khan, who has osteoarthritis and experiences increased knee pain and thigh muscle soreness after leg exercises, an appropriate physical therapy plan should include both heat and cold therapies. Heat therapy can be applied initially to the injured site, as it helps to increase blood flow and enhance healing. This should be followed by targeted leg exercises prescribed by the physical therapist. After exercises, using an ice pack is recommended to decrease inflammation and control post-exercise discomfort. Applying the ice pack for about 15 to 20 minutes can help alleviate the pain. The use of a compression bandage may also be beneficial to manage muscle soreness.

It is important to consider that, while non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can provide pain relief, they should be used carefully and not immediately after an injury. Throughout the physical therapy process, the therapist will work with Mr. Khan to help him return to his normal level of physical activity and manage his osteoarthritis symptoms effectively.