Evaluation of the Bristol Royal Infirmary physiotherapy programme for the management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee

The aim of this paper is to investigate whether comparable outcomes can be achieved when research evidence is translated into clinical practice in the management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. An evidence-based physiotherapy programme for the management of OA of the knee was established at the Bristol Royal Infirmary (BRI). It incorporated both group education and exercise into a six week course. Outcomes from the programme were measured using the WOMAC self-evaluated questionnaire which is sub-divided into pain, stiffness and function sections with an additional visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain in each knee. Outcomes from the BRI programme were compared with those reported in four papers which used similar interventions and evaluation tools. A reduction in pain (VAS) of 43% was demonstrated following this programme compared with a mean reduction of 16% reported in the other programmes investigated. It is concluded that favourable outcomes for patients can be achieved by implementing evidence into practice, e.g. in the BRI knee programme.