Understanding the lived experiences of physically active women with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is a progressive degenerative disease which requires modification to a person's lifestyle. Physical and psychological shifts are needed to accommodate the disease. To gain an understanding of how women who are physically active were able to return to exercise after their diagnosis, a phenomenological study design was employed. Insight provided by seven women regarding constructing the exercise persona will add important knowledge to the experience of exercising with osteoarthritis. Individuals physically active previous to the diagnosis need to acquire knowledge for the construction of the exercise persona. Construction begins with moving emotionally from shock and disbelief to accepting the diagnosis, setting goals, and developing a plan to attain those goals. Encouragement from knowledgeable health professionals is advantageous to establishing confidence to perform exercise successfully. Exercise recommendations provided by physiotherapists or exercise professionals on frequency, intensity, type, and duration provide the necessary knowledge to return to exercise.