Effects of Self-Care Participation Program of Knee Osteoarthritis at Orthopedics Department in Lamphun Hospital

Abstract

Background: Pain and loss of knee’s function are the most important problems in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Activities to promote appropriate self care behaviors would delay degeneration of knee joint and prolong the function. Therefore, self care for patients with knee osteoarthritis is needed and more importantly, patients can do it by themselves. Objective: To examine the result of the osteoarthritis self care program in patients with knee osteoarthritis who were hospitalized at the Orthopedics Department in Lamphun Hospital. Materials and Methods: This was a clinical trial. Study sample was 60 patients with knee osteoarthritis who hospitalized at the Orthopedics Department, Lamphun Hospital. The sample was randomized into experimental and control groups. Each group had 30 cases. The experimental group received the osteoarthritis self care program. This group was monitored and evaluated until the program finished. The control group received usual care. The instrument included 1) interview questions both before and after program intervention, 2) the osteoarthritis self care program comprising the program providing special knowledge for practice and the program to promote the strength of knee joint’s muscle by 3 exercising patterns. The sample was monitored and evaluated once a month for the total of 3 months. Data was analyzed by using Mann-Whitney-U test Results: Patients with knee osteoarthritis in the experimental group had decrease in their pain level and did better activities. They used less high dose of pain relief drugs than the group received usual care at a significant level (p<.0.001). The satisfaction level, satisfaction of their health, ability to their daily activities, and the function of knee were better due to less pain. Summary: This research showed effectiveness of osteoarthritis self care program in patients with knee osteoarthritis Thus, this program can be used to reduce severity of knee osteoarthritis and prolong the function of knee joint.