Knee Osteoarthritis - Factors That Influence Physiotherapy Interventions

Overview

This presentation explores the clinical practice patterns of Canadian physiotherapists treating knee osteoarthritis (OA). Based on a national cross-sectional survey underpinned by the Knowledge to Action (KTA) framework, this session addresses the knowledge gap regarding how closely current physiotherapy care aligns with evidence-based clinical practice guidelines. The presentation breaks down the demographics of treating therapists, the core interventions they recommend, and the specific factors that influence their clinical decision-making.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the demographic and professional characteristics of physiotherapists treating knee osteoarthritis in Canada.
2. Describe the core, evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions for managing knee OA, including education, strengthening, aerobic exercise, and weight management.
3. Analyze the factors, such as employment settings (private practice vs. hospital) and additional OA specific training that influence a physiotherapist's choice of interventions.
4. Recognize the complexities associated with weight management discussions in clinical practice, including the impact of weight bias, comorbidities, and systemic factors on patient care.

Audience

This course is designed for licensed physiotherapists, physiotherapy students, and allied healthcare professionals who assess and/or treat individuals living with osteoarthritis, especially those interested in aligning their practice with evidence-based clinical guidelines.

Why This Course Matters

Knee osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis globally. In Canada alone, approximately 15% of the population currently lives with some form of OA, a number projected to rise to nearly 26% by 2040. This carries a massive economic burden and a profound personal cost to patients, including pain, mobility reduction, and decreased quality of life.

While clinical practice guidelines consistently recommend education, exercise, and weight management as foundational treatments, this research highlights a critical practice gap: although Canadian physiotherapists excel at providing education and local strengthening, aerobic exercise and weight management advice are significantly underutilized. Understanding these gaps, as well as the underlying biases and systemic barriers that contribute to them, is essential for clinicians striving to provide comprehensive, evidence-based care that improves patient outcomes.

About the Presenter

Brenda Tittlemier is a physiotherapist and graduate student at the University of Manitoba, where she completed her master's degree in 2019. Living and working on Treaty One Land, her research focuses on the intersection of evidence-based practice and physiotherapy. Her master's project, published in Physiotherapy Canada, investigates the clinical practices of Canadian physiotherapists treating knee OA, with a specific interest in knowledge translation, the Knowledge to Action framework, and improving clinical outcomes for patients living with OA.