Key clinical point: Physical therapy for knee OA brings larger and more durable improvements than intra-articular corticosteroids.

Major finding: The number needed to treat with eight physical therapy sessions instead of an intra-articular corticosteroid injection in order for one additional patient to achieve at least a 50% improvement in Western Ontario & McMaster Universities Arthritis Index score through 1 year of follow-up was four.

Study details: This multicenter study included 156 patients with knee OA who were randomized to one or more intra-articular corticosteroid injections or eight physical therapy sessions and followed prospectively for 12 months.

Disclosures: The study was sponsored by Madigan Army Medical Center. The presenter reported having no financial conflicts.