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Medicina
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Advances in Pathogenesis, Rehabilitation, and Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis
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Advances in Pathogenesis, Rehabilitation, and Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis

A special issue of Medicina (ISSN 1648-9144). This special issue belongs to the section "Orthopedics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 October 2025) | Viewed by 2721

Special Issue Editors

Dr. László Irsay

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “Iuliu Hatieganu”, 8 Victor Babes Street, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: rehabilitation; physiotherapy; osteoartrology; muscle physiology and pathology; robotics in rehabilitation
Dr. Magdalena-Rodica Trăistaru

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Physiotherapy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Petru Rares Street No. 2, 200349 Craiova-Dolj, Romania
Interests: kinesiotherapy; fibromyalgia; physiotherapy; rehabilitation

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the most prevalent form of osteoarthritis and a leading cause of disability among older adults. It is characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility. The prevalence of KOA is significant, with estimates suggesting that approximately 10% of men and 13% of women aged 60 and older are affected. The condition is multifactorial, being influenced by age, obesity, genetics, and previous joint injuries, among other factors.

This Special Issue, entitled "Advances in Pathogenesis, Rehabilitation, and Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis", aims to address the complex nature of KOA, a prevalent condition characterized by its multifactorial pathogenesis and significant impact on patients' quality of life. The Special Issue focuses on the latest research findings, clinical practices, and therapeutic strategies that could enhance our understanding and management of this chronic disease. Education and rehabilitation is a vital aspect successful therapy.

Recent advancements in the research and treatment of KOA have highlighted a range of innovative approaches aimed at alleviating symptoms and potentially modifying the disease's progression. 

This Special Issue, entitled "Advances in Pathogenesis, Rehabilitation, and Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis", welcomes the submission of a variety of papers that explore the multifaceted aspects of KOA. The scope of this Special Issue includes, but is not limited to, the following topics: the pathogenesis of KOA (eg., mechanical factors, genetic and epigenetic influences, inflammatory mechanisms, etc.); rehabilitation strategies, treatment modalities and pharmacological treatments (pharmacological strategies, biologics, and disease-modifying osteoarthritis drugs); and surgical interventions, clinical studies and trials.

Dr. László Irsay
Dr. Magdalena-Rodica Trăistaru
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Medicina is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • pathogenesis
  • evidence based KOA
  • rehabilitation KOA
  • treatment KOA
  • surgery KOA

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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22 pages, 422 KB  
Article
Feasibility and Reliability of the Osteoarthritis Quality Indicator Questionnaire for Assessing Osteoarthritis Care in Bilingual General Practices in South Tyrol/Alto Adige, Italy
by Christian J. Wiedermann, Antje van der Zee-Neuen, Pasqualina Marino, Angelika Mahlknecht, Sonja Wildburger, Julia Fuchs, Christian Dejaco, Michele di Lernia, Giuliano Piccoliori, Adolf Engl, Markus Ritter and Nina Østerås
Medicina 2025, 61(11), 1921; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61111921 (registering DOI) - 26 Oct 2025
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Evaluating osteoarthritis (OA) care quality is increasingly relevant for service improvement and benchmarking purposes. The Osteoarthritis Quality Indicator questionnaire (OA-QI) measures patient-reported guideline-concordant care; however, no version has been tested in Italian primary care or bilingual contexts. This study [...] Read more.
Background and Objectives: Evaluating osteoarthritis (OA) care quality is increasingly relevant for service improvement and benchmarking purposes. The Osteoarthritis Quality Indicator questionnaire (OA-QI) measures patient-reported guideline-concordant care; however, no version has been tested in Italian primary care or bilingual contexts. This study aimed to introduce the OA-QI version 3 (OA-QI v3) in German and Italian, assess its applicability in practice, and examine its acceptability and reliability. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using the South Tyrolean General Practice Research Network. Thirty-eight general practitioners recruited 266 patients with hip or knee OA. Patients completed the OA-QI v3 in German or Italian, with subsamples for comprehensibility testing (n = 38) and retest reliability after 14 days (n = 36). Test–retest reliability was analyzed using percent agreement, Cohen’s κ, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), and standard error of measurement. The smallest detectable change was analyzed to estimate factual change. Results: Response rate reached 95% of the targeted patients. Patient feedback showed good comprehensibility and ease of use in both languages. Adherence to recommended quality indicators varied, with strengths in physical activity advice, NSAID prescription, and pain assessment, but gaps in weight management, occupational counseling, and assistive devices. Test–retest reliability ranged from fair to substantial at the item level (κ = 0.33–0.69) and was moderate for the total score (ICC = 0.55, 95% CI 0.28–0.74). While measurement error restricted individual-level interpretation, reliability at the practice or institutional level supports application for benchmarking and quality monitoring. Conclusions: The OA-QI v3 was feasible, acceptable, and reliable for group-level assessments in South Tyrol. These findings position OA-QI v3 as a practical tool for identifying care gaps and guiding quality improvement, while providing important lessons for the full validation of the German and Italian versions in larger cross-national samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pathogenesis, Rehabilitation, and Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis)

Other

Jump to: Research

22 pages, 1072 KB  
Systematic Review
Using Computerised Gait Analysis to Assess Changes After Rehabilitation in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Gait Speed Improvement
by Mihaela Minea, Sermina Ismail, Lucian Cristian Petcu, Andreea-Dalila Nedelcu, Adina Petcu, Alexandra-Elena Minea and Mădălina-Gabriela Iliescu
Medicina 2025, 61(9), 1540; https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina61091540 - 27 Aug 2025
Viewed by 2157
Abstract
Background and objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disorder often associated with altered gait mechanics. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation treatment on walking, with a focus on gait speed. Material and methods: A systematic [...] Read more.
Background and objectives: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a degenerative joint disorder often associated with altered gait mechanics. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effect of rehabilitation treatment on walking, with a focus on gait speed. Material and methods: A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Cochrane, and PEDro databases, following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) methodology. Randomised controlled trials published in English between 2015 and 2025, involving patients with KOA undergoing rehabilitation and using computerised gait measurements, including 3D motion capture, force plates, and instrumented treadmills, were included. A meta-analysis was conducted on the selected studies assessing gait speed, with the risk of bias being evaluated using the Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool for RCTs. Results: Out of 2143 articles, 7 studies met the inclusion criteria. These studies showed increased gait speed in patients with KOA following exercise therapy, various walking training programmes, massage, or dietary interventions. The meta-analysis revealed a standardised mean difference (SMD) of 1.807, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of [1.637, 1.977] (p < 0.001). The interventions were associated with improvements in walking parameters and quality of life, as well as reductions in pain and fall risk. Substantial heterogeneity was noted, likely due to variations in intervention types and study populations. Conclusions: The results suggest an overall improvement in gait speed in the intervention groups compared to the control groups. However, only a limited number of studies have investigated the effects of physiotherapy, bath therapy, or mud therapy on gait mechanics in patients with KOA. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Pathogenesis, Rehabilitation, and Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis)
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