Sammanfattning
Early clinical diagnosis of chronic knee and hip osteoarthritis is important for prevention and treatment. A physiotherapist diagnoses clinical osteoarthritis using national guidelines in the context of patients’ needs, providing information, supervised exercise, self-administered tests for strength and aerobic fitness, lifelong physical activity on prescription, and a collaborative approach to dealing with weight loss. It is important to treat risk factors for cardiovascular disease and premature death. Osteoarthritis in knee and hip reduces the patient’s physical activity, strength and fitness, and increases sedentary behavior. A better understanding of sarcopenia helps practitioners identify implications for osteoarthritis patients. Today one of the recommended assessments of leg function for patients with osteoarthritis is a 30-second sit to stand test. Together with a test of controlled knee bending, these tests could be used by all personnel and also be suitable for self-testing.