Regain Strength & Mobility
PhysioDrops specialises in evidence‑based knee osteoarthritis physiotherapy in Bengaluru. Our home‑visit sessions combine expert manual techniques and personalised exercise plans to help manage pain, improve function and delay surgery.
✅ Why This Post Matters
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) affects over 62 million people in India, with knee OA being the most common type of joint degeneration leading to pain and reduced mobility . In rural South India alone, nearly 35% of adults over 40 now have knee OA symptoms like stiffness and pain while climbing stairs. Clinical guidelines globally now recommend physiotherapy—with or without supervised care—as the first line non‑surgical treatment for knee OA .
Why Home Physiotherapy Works Better for Knee OA
Traditional clinic visits in Bengaluru can be delayed due to traffic and queue times—delays during which joint pain may worsen or discourage adherence. Home physiotherapy offers:
- Avoiding commute stress: When pain is severe, having therapy at home prevents aggravation of symptoms.
- Higher adherence: A Nottingham RCT showed that simple home‑based exercise programmes maintained for two years significantly reduced pain and functional decline in knee OA patients
- Improved outcomes: Patients who received home exercise training under a physiotherapist showed better improvements in range of motion, strength and WOMAC scores than those given brochures alone
- Documented relief: An observational study in India found ~52% reduction in pain and ~43% improvement in disability scores after about 20 home sessions over 1 month
What a Typical Home Visit Involves
Each session is led by a certified physiotherapist skilled in musculoskeletal and orthopaedic care. Expect:
- Red‑flag screening (e.g., unexplained swelling, sudden weakness).
- Functional assessment—walking pattern, knee range, gait and posture.
- Hands‑on treatment: mobilisations, soft tissue work, gentle manual therapy.
- Core and quad strengthening, range‑restoring stretches and balance drills tailored for knee osteoarthritis.
- Use of electrotherapies (TENS, ultrasound, laser) when clinically indicated.
- Education on home ergonomics, weight management tips, activity pacing and safe movement strategies.
Evidence-Based Home Exercises for Knee OA
These are among the safest, most effective exercises consistently recommended by physiotherapists in knee osteoarthritis rehabilitation.
- Seated Quadriceps Sets: Sit upright, tighten the thigh muscle, hold 5 seconds. 10–15 reps per leg.
- Standing Mini-Squats: Hold a chair, squat 10–15° with knees aligned over toes. 8–12 reps.
- Calf Raises: Rise onto toes and back down slowly. 10–15 reps.
- Heel Slides: Laying supine, gently slide heel toward buttocks to bend knee. 5–10 reps slowly.
- Knee Extensions in Lying: Lift a few inches off bed/floor. Control knee straightening. 10–12 reps.
These exercises should be done daily in gradually increasing repetitions. A recent RCT confirmed these types of graded, supervised muscle-strengthening programmes significantly improve pain and function in older adults with knee OA
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⚠ When to Consult a Doctor
Home exercise is appropriate for mild to moderate OA, but urgent medical consultation is needed if symptoms include:
- Saddle loss or bladder/bowel dysfunction (possible cauda equina syndrome)
- > 3 weeks of progressive weakness or foot drop
- Night pain or unintentional weight loss (possible infection or malignancy)
- Recent trauma or fracture history
📌 Action Steps for Knee Pain Relief
- Visit our Appointment Page or WhatsApp your symptoms and location.
- Expect a free consult call within the hour—schedule your first home session same or next day.
- Commit to daily guided exercises; our physiotherapist checks your technique and adapts your plan regularly.
- Track progress via our online rehab tools and exercise log.
- After 4–6 weeks, reassess knee strength, range and walking confidence—and update your maintenance plan.
