Background: Knee osteoarthritis is a common degenerative joint disorder and a major cause of pain and disability. Recent studies have suggested that bisphosphonates such as alendronate may have a role in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the potential effect of alendronate on the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. Methods: Thirty nine patients wi...

BACKGROUND The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) is an extension of the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthrtis Index (WOMAC), the most commonly used outcome instrument for assessment of patient-relevant treatment effects in osteoarthritis. KOOS was developed for younger and/or more active patients with knee injury and knee osteoarthritis and has in previous st...

BACKGROUND Evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for reducing the pain and dysfunction of osteoarthritis is equivocal. OBJECTIVE To determine whether acupuncture provides greater pain relief and improved function compared with sham acupuncture or education in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. DESIGN Randomized, controlled trial. SETTING Two outpatient clinics (an integrative med...

BACKGROUND/AIMS Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms but cause adverse effects. D-002, a mixture of beeswax alcohols, is effective against experimental OA. A pilot study found that D-002 (50 mg/day) for 8 weeks improves OA symptoms. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of D-002 (50 to 100 mg/day) administered for 6 weeks on OA symptoms. MET...

BACKGROUND Patient-reported outcome measures have become a well-recognised part of outcome assessment in orthopaedic surgery. These questionnaires claim to measure joint-specific dimensions like pain, function in activities of daily living, joint awareness or stiffness. Interference of the patient's psychological status with these orthopaedic questionnaires however may make accurate interpretat...

OBJECTIVE To investigate the importance of the WOMAC index score, health-related quality of life and physical performance in each domain affected by knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to identify gender differences in the importance of these domains and physical performances. MATERIAL AND METHODS We performed a population-based study for radiographic knee OA among participants aged more than 65 yea...

OBJECTIVE To translate into Arabic and validate the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) index. METHOD Arabic translation was obtained with use of the forward and backward translation method. Adaptations were made after a pilot study. Patients with symptomatic knee OA fulfilling the revised criteria of the American College of Rheumatology were included. Impairment outcome measure...

Background. Osteoarthritis (OA) ranks fifth in the most disabling conditions. Karate is an unarmed combat sport that uses hands and feet to deliver and block blows. The karate movements, such as high load and frequent flexion and extension of the knee, make the athletes susceptible to knee injuries and progress to knee OA (KOA). Objectives. The study aims to address the prevalence and risk fac...

BACKGROUND Preoperative expectations of outcome of total hip and knee arthroplasty are important determinants of patients' satisfaction and functional outcome. Aims of the study were (1) to translate the Hospital for Special Surgery Hip Replacement Expectations Survey and Knee Replacement Expectations Survey into Dutch and (2) to study test-retest reliability and concurrent validity. METHODS ...

Background Evidence on the efficacy of acupuncture for reducing the pain and dysfunction of osteoarthritis is equivocal. Objective To determine whether acupuncture provides greater pain relief and improved function compared with sham acupuncture or education in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. Design Randomised, controlled trial. Setting Two outpatient clinics (an integrative medicine ...