Introduction.

Osteoarthritis is a multifactorial pathology of the musculoskeletal system characterized by the degeneration and loss of articular cartilage. It is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, with a significant economic impact due to treatment costs and resulting incapacity.

Objective.

To assess the effect of a rehabilitation program on the functionality and pain of patients with knee osteoarthritis, using the WOMAC and VAS scales, at a Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation institution in Bogotá during the first half of 2024.

Method.

This was a retrospective observational study. A total of 173 patients with knee osteoarthritis, classified as grade III or higher according to the Kellgren & Lawrence scale, were included. Data were collected from electronic medical records, and an exploratory analysis of the variables was performed.

Results.

A total of 173 patients were included, 73.4% of whom were female, with a median age of 69 years. Bilateral osteoarthritis was present in 44.5% of patients, and 68.2% had grade IV severity. 52% of patients received first-line oral analgesics, and 63.5% were referred to nutrition services. All patients received physical therapy. A 37.5% reduction in pain was observed according to the Visual Analog Scale, with improvements in WOMAC components A, B, and C of 10.0%, 33.3%, and 21.1%, respectively (p <0.001).

Conclusion.

A specialized care model for osteoarthritis, which includes physical medicine, rehabilitation, physical therapy, nutritional interventions, and analgesic management, is effective in improving symptoms and functionality in these patients. These findings suggest that specialized models are necessary to adequately address the complex issue of knee osteoarthritis.

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