Work-related interventions are not commonly included in physiotherapy management of lower limb osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional survey of Australian Physiotherapists

Article

Alyousef, Yousef S., Johnston, Venerina and Smith, Michelle D.. 2024. "Work-related interventions are not commonly included in physiotherapy management of lower limb osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional survey of Australian Physiotherapists." Musculoskeletal Science and Practice. 71. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102942
Article Title

Work-related interventions are not commonly included in physiotherapy management of lower limb osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional survey of Australian Physiotherapists

Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsAlyousef, Yousef S., Johnston, Venerina and Smith, Michelle D.
Journal TitleMusculoskeletal Science and Practice
Journal Citation71
Article Number102942
Number of Pages6
Year2024
PublisherElsevier
Place of PublicationUnited Kingdom
ISSN2468-7812
2468-8630
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.msksp.2024.102942
Web Address (URL)https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2468781224000377
Abstract

Background
Lower limb osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability and can affect an individual's ability to work.

Objectives
To explore Australian physiotherapists’ use of work-related interventions in managing patients with lower limb OA, and identify current management practices.

Methods
Physiotherapists with at least two years of experience treating patients with lower limb OA were invited to complete an online survey to understand how physiotherapists manage patients with lower limb OA, specifically regarding interventions related to work.

Results
A total of 132 physiotherapists completed the survey. In free text responses, only 1.5% and 2.3% of physiotherapists nominated work-related items in their key components of treatment or educational topics discussed with patients with lower limb OA, respectively. From a range of work-related activities presented, over half of physiotherapists indicated they regularly/always provided education about the benefits of remaining in work (63.5%) and advice on managing symptoms at work (57.4%). Less than 10% of physiotherapists regularly/always used a validated scale to identify barriers for work (9.6%), discussed absences from work (9.6%), conducted a workplace assessment (4.4%), and discussed submitting workers’ compensation claims (2.6%). Exercise and patient education were the most frequently nominated physiotherapy treatments in free text (96.2% and 86.3%, respectively) and fixed response (99.2% and 93.9%, respectively) questions.

Conclusion
Many physiotherapists do not address work-related activities in their management of patients with lower limb OA. In light of work-related challenges commonly experienced by individuals with lower limb OA, this is an important aspect of management of this condition.

KeywordsLower limb; Physiotherapy; Osteoarthritis; Work-related management
Contains Sensitive ContentDoes not contain sensitive content
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020420109. Rehabilitation
Byline AffiliationsUniversity of Queensland
Majmaah University, Saudi Arabia
School of Health and Medical Sciences
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