Assessment of the function of the knee after rehabilitation in patients with gonarthrosis - the KOOS scale

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee joints is nowadays a significant medical and economic problem in the world. The percentage of people diagnosed with degeneration of the knee joint is increasing rapidly. Not only does it cause negative social consequences, but also generates large treatment costs. The treatment consists in taking preventative measures and educating patients, as well as pharmacological therapy, physiotherapy and, as a last resort – surgery. Suitable and comprehensive measures can decrease symptoms of gonarthrosis. The research was conducted among 110 patients diagnosed with OA of the knee joints in one of the rehabilitation clinics in Podkarpacie voivodeship. A self-construction questionnaire, the KOOS scale and the VAS scale were the research tools. The respondents were informed about the anonymity of the survey. The research was carried out twice before and after the rehabilitation. Among the respondents, the highest percentage of people with gonarthrosis involved women (74.5%). Overweight and obesity were important factors correlating with the occurrence of gonarthrosis. The cryotherapy (66.4%), exercise in relief (42.7%), followed by laser therapy, magnetronics and individual exercises were considered the most helpful treatments. Electrotherapy and massage were considered as the least effective. Having analysed the result of the KOOS questionnaire and the VAS scale provided to the patients before and after the treatment, the positive effects of physiotherapy have been noted. The patients have noticed improvement in daily activities, quality of life, severity of symptoms and pain relief (p