Effect of Home Exercise of Quadriceps for Knee Osteoarthritis; A Randomized Con-trolled Trial comparing with Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory Drugs

INTERVENTION: E1 (trial) group: Isotonic quadriceps exer‐cise and frequent clinical visits. The exercise was instructed to maintain 3‐5 seconds by means of straight leg raising. Patients performed at least 4 sets consisted of 80 repetitions of the above quadriceps setting (20 times as one sets), each 2 sets in the morning and afternoon. Patients were basically instructed to do the exercise in sitting position with chair, and were also able to do in supine position if necessary. If patients wanted heavier weight at the ex‐ercise they could add 1 or 2 kg as the ankle weight gradually. One or two sets of exer‐cise are imposed as check at the clinical visit. C1 (Control group): Non‐steriodal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and fre‐quent clinical visits. The patients were able to stop their drugs when they no longer re‐quired treatment. They were also required to record exactly how many they had been taking medicine in a note. NSAIDs were limited only one of the three to prescribe. These were the top three used in Japan at the present; loxoprofen sodium, diclofenac sodium, and zaltoprofen. E2 (trial) group: Isotonic quadriceps exer‐cise and fewer clinical visits C2 (Control group): NSAIDs and fewer clinical visits. CONDITION: Knee Osteoarthritis PRIMARY OUTCOME: (1) functional assessment including ADL: WOMAC; (2) functional assessment including ADL: JKOM; (3) QOL assessment: SF‐36 SECONDARY OUTCOME: Assessment of pain: VAS INCLUSION CRITERIA: The patients satisfying the following condi‐tions (1)‐(6) are included. (1) Outpatients aged 50‐80 years old with knee pain. Both men and women are able to enter the trial. (2) New patients for medical institution concerned, who receiving no treatment for their knee within 1 month before. (3) Patients with the following knee symp‐toms in the more symptomatic side. Morning stiffness less than 30 minutes, Joint crepitus Tenderness at the joint space, and palpable osteophytes (4) As complications hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia under medication are allowed to enter the trial. (5) Patient who agreed to the following ex‐aminations. [X‐rays]: the anteroposterior view of both knee joints in a standing posi‐tion were taken and used to confirm the di‐agnosis. [Laboratory tests]: blood cell count (red blood cell, white blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit), biochemical examination (AST, ALT, ALP, BUN, creatinin, total choleste