1. Introduction
obesity, OA, osteoarthritis, pain, ColEx, disability, musculoskeletal problems, knee pain, osteoarthritic, injuries
OBESITY, DEGENERATION, OSTEOARTHRITIS, ARTHRITIC CHANGES, OSTEOARTHRITIS, DISEASE
Athletic injuries are commonly implicated in the development of early osteoarthritic (EOA) changes in the knee. These changes have a significant impact on athletic performance, and therefore the early detection of EOA is paramount. The objective of the study is to assess the impact of different interventions on individuals with EOA, particularly focusing on recreational athletes. The study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of three treatment groups in improving various aspects related to knee EOA, including pain, range of motion, strength, and function. A study was undertaken with 48 recreational athletes with EOA who were assigned to one of three groups by the referring orthopedic surgeon: collagen (Col), exercise (Ex), or collagen and exercise (ColEx) groups. All the participants received their respective group-based intervention for 12 weeks. Visual analog scale (VAS), knee flexion range of motion (ROM) knee flexors and extensors strength, and KOOS were assessed at baseline, and after 4 weeks, 8 weeks, and 12 weeks of intervention. VAS for activity improved in all treatment groups, with no difference between groups. The between-group analysis for knee ROM revealed a significant difference (Sports are physical activities that require skill. Sporting activities and their capacity to cause musculoskeletal problems have traditionally been the subject of much discussion [The knee joint is a functional unit that is responsible for transmitting load during both extensive and daily activities. The magnitude of the load can range from exceedingly low to very large. Sporting activities place a large level of repetitive stress on the tibiofemoral joint. Hence, it becomes imperative to detect these arthritic changes within the knee joint early and introduce primary interventions and therapeutic approaches that could prevent further progression of the disease [Osteoarthritis (OA) is a global health problem that affects over 300 million people and is a major cause of disability. In India, the prevalence of knee OA is found to be 28.7% and approximately 80% of Indians who claim to have knee pain show signs of OA, out of which 20% report an incapability to carry out daily activities [Knee OA is important not only due to its high prevalence rate compared to other types of OA, but because it is increasingly being reported in the young and in athletic populations [The identification of risk factors in EOA is crucial to initiate adequate and prompt conservative management and to prevent progression of the condition to the point where surgical intervention becomes necessary [Etiological considerations contributing to EOA can be broadly classified into endogenous and exogenous factors. Genetic factors, especially those coding for the structural proteins in type II collagen, gender, where studies show that females are more prone to developing osteoarthritis because of the anatomical difference that exists between the genders, various ethnic groups, and the age of the individual are the endogenous factors contributing to the disease [External factors like meniscal tears, which may accelerate the process of arthritic changes, obesity, i.e., a BMI > 30, injuries involving the ligaments of the knee, which may lead to decreased joint stability and could cause joint degeneration, and acquired knee axis deviations and various nutritional deficits, are a few factors that could account for the early onset of the disease [The first line of management for knee pain associated with arthritic changes is often pharmacological, followed by therapeutic intervention [A 12-week program of collagen supplementation is known to significantly reduce self-reported pain in young athletes [Management of knee OA can be broadly categorized as pharmacological and non-pharmacological. Therapeutic interventions are targeted to reduce pain, increase strength, and improve knee joint function. Exercise programs implemented for a period of 16 weeks are known to improve muscle strength, reduce pain, and improve the functionality of the knee joint [An agent with a reported positive effect on self-reported knee pain in athletes is hydrolyzed type I and native type II collagen. A 12-week program of collagen supplementation is known to significantly reduce self-reported pain in young athletes [In light of the aforementioned considerations, the present study aims to investigate the effectiveness, superiority, and relative benefits of three distinct treatment paradigms for athletes diagnosed with early arthritic changes in the knee. Specifically, the study will evaluate the impact of collagen supplementation, exercise, and exercise along with collagen supplementation, as modes of intervention, on alleviating knee pain, improving joint function, and potentially slowing the progression of knee OA. Hence, against the above background, the present study is undertaken to understand the effectiveness and superiority, and to review the relative benefits, of three different treatment paradigms in athletes diagnosed with early arthritic changes in the knee.