Which modality is strongly recommended against for knee osteoarthritis management?

Which modality is strongly recommended against for knee osteoarthritis management?

• A. TENS
• B. Exercise
• C. Tai chi
• D. Cane

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that knee osteoarthritis responds best to modalities with solid clinical benefit: active strengthening, safe low-impact activity, and tools that reduce joint loading. TENS does not provide consistent, clinically meaningful pain relief for knee OA, so it isn’t recommended as a primary management approach. In contrast, structured exercise strengthens the thigh and hip muscles, improves joint mechanics, and reduces pain and disability; Tai chi offers a gentle, low-impact way to improve pain and function and balance; and a cane helps offload the knee during walking, reducing pain and improving mobility by decreasing the load transmitted through the knee joint.

The main idea is that knee osteoarthritis responds best to modalities with solid clinical benefit: active strengthening, safe low-impact activity, and tools that reduce joint loading. TENS does not provide consistent, clinically meaningful pain relief for knee OA, so it isn’t recommended as a primary management approach. In contrast, structured exercise strengthens the thigh and hip muscles, improves joint mechanics, and reduces pain and disability; Tai chi offers a gentle, low-impact way to improve pain and function and balance; and a cane helps offload the knee during walking, reducing pain and improving mobility by decreasing the load transmitted through the knee joint.