The goal of this clinical trial is to learn if a combination of patient self-administered joint mobilization and exercise works to treat knee osteoarthritis in adults. The main questions it aims to answer are:
* Does self-administered joint mobilization improve the ability to perform regular daily activities? * Does self-administered joint mobilization improve knee motion? * Does self-administered joint mobilization improve hip strength?
Researchers will compare the program of self-administered joint mobilization to a joint mobilization administered by a physical therapist.
Participants will:
* Attend 8-12 physical therapy clinic visits over 6 - 8 weeks * Perform home exercises * Visit the clinic 6 months later for a brief check-up
Age 45 years or older
Movement-related knee pain
No morning stiffness or morning stiffness < 30 minutes
Knee flexion contracture (kFC) at least 1cm, measured by heel-height
Assistive device required for ambulation
Systemic disease affecting joint function (diabetes, rheumatological disorders, etc)
Previous lower extremity joint replacement
Lower quarter surgery, injection, or therapy in the past year
Texas Woman's University
Lead sponsor
Texas Health Resources
Collaborator