Multimodal non-surgical intervention for individuals with knee osteoarthritis: a retrospective case series.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study is to review the pain and functional outcomes of a multimodal intervention in three patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study explores how manual therapy can be delivered within an evidence-based framework for the management of knee OA.
METHODS: Medical records were reviewed for three patients with knee OA who underwent a standardized multimodal intervention including education, exercise, and manual therapy. Changes in pain intensity and function from baseline to post-intervention were calculated and compared to thresholds for minimal clinically important differences.
RESULTS: One participant met the threshold for clinically significant improvement in pain and two participants for function. No adverse events were reported.
CONCLUSION: Combined education, exercise, and manual therapy delivered over a 6-week period improved function in two of the three patients reviewed. Higher quality research is required to explore whether this multimodal intervention may improve outcomes in individuals with knee OA. © JCCA 2019.