DEMOGRAPHICS-RELATED UTILIZATION PATTERNS OF THERAPEUTIC INTERVENTIONS IN KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS REHABILITATION AT A MALAYSIAN TERTIARY HOSPITAL: A RETROSPECTIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Objective: Effective management of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) requires an understanding of treatment patterns across age groups. This study examines the utilization of therapeutic exercise and electrophysical agents (EPAs) in KOA rehabilitation among different age demographics.

Methods: A retrospective review of physiotherapy records was conducted for KOA patients treated at Hospital Canselor Tuanku Muhriz, Malaysia, between January 2022 and April 2023. Sequential sampling identified 331 eligible cases from 2,404 records, excluding those with over 10 percent missing data. Sociodemographic and treatment details were collected using a structured form and analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics to assess associations between age groups and variables such as ethnicity, gender, and intervention types.

Results: An analysis of 331 medical records demonstrated a universal prescription of lower limb strengthening exercises. Additionally, stretching exercises were recommended in 89.1% of cases. A significant association was identified between age groups and the use of balance exercises (P = 0.030), with lower utilization rates observed among middle-aged (45-64 years) and elderly (>65 years) patients, at 14.4% and 13.0% respectively. Among EPAs, hot packs were the most frequently employed (93.7%). In contrast, cryotherapy (9.3%), transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (3.7%), and therapeutic ultrasound (1.9%) were less commonly utilized. Although overall treatment choices did not significantly differ by age, EPAs were more commonly used among older patients.

Conclusions: Underuse of balance exercises and some EPAs underscore the need for age-sensitive rehabilitation approaches. Physiotherapists should consider age differences in KOA care, and further studies are needed to examine what drives treatment choices.