Critically discuss how evidence based biomechanics may influence the management of a patient with knee osteoarthritis with respect to the appropriate conservative management approach.

Critically discuss how evidence based biomechanics may influence the management of a patient with knee osteoarthritis with respect to the appropriate conservative management approach.

Guidelines:

Introduction: Give a brief background of the epidemiology and briefly discuss the patho-biomechanics (should include: obesity- strong risk factor for OA and incidence increases with age etc.)Give your search strategy including list of terms and databases and introduce the relevant themes.

Main body: You should give an evidence based account of the biomechanical factors (should include: knee adduction moment, gait, varus deformity etc.) which may contribute to the underlying pathology. You should select focus on one area of management – orthotics (lateral wedged insoles).

Conclusion: you need to draw the evidence together to support the continued use of your chosen treatment option.

You should ensure that you demonstrate the following:

Ø Evidence of reading from a variety of relevant sources including evidence based practice and management guidelines.

Ø Accurate use of references throughout the text and reference section

Ø Accuracy in the interpretation and critical comment of material presented

Ø Innovation in interpretation of investigations, clinical outcomes and results

Ø Analytical comment and synthesis of ideas

Ø Critical evaluation and discussion of the research evidence

Ø A logical flow to content