Non-Surgical Management of Knee Osteoarthritis in the Military Health System (MHS)

Eligibility Criteria

• * TRICARE eligible beneficiaries (active duty, dependents, and military retired) with a primary complaint of knee pain.
• * Able to speak and read English well enough to provide informed consent, follow study instructions and independently answer the questionnaires/surveys.
• * Able to attend treatment sessions for a 4-week period.
• * Age 18-60 years old
• * The subject had an initial care visit in the last 90 days with a chief complaint of knee pain, or is scheduled to have one within the week.
• * Satisfies American College of Rheumatology (ACR) clinical criteria for diagnosis of knee OA for at least one knee.
• * In the last year, the subject has received any invasive interventions including injections (corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, etc.) or surgery for their knee
• * History of Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA)
• * Has previously received formal PT for the same knee (\> 2 visits) in the last year
• * Has consulted a surgeon for knee pain for either knee in the past year
• * History of severe neurologic (e.g., stroke, Parkinson's disease, etc.) or other condition that prevents walking independently for at least 5 minutes or engaging in a physical activity/exercise program.
• * Anyone leaving military service for other than regular retirement, pending a medical evaluation board, discharge from the military for medical reasons, or pending or undergoing any litigation for an injury.
• * Systemic disease that could otherwise be responsible for the subjects knee pain (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis, gout, or psoriatic arthritis), non-musculoskeletal conditions causing knee pain, personal history of neoplasm, current or recent knee joint infection, recent fall/trauma to knee, acute fracture of knee, lower extremity amputation, or other more likely primary musculoskeletal knee disorders (e.g. patellar tendinopathy, bursitis, runner's knee, etc.)
• * Currently has a referral to orthopedics or physical therapy for a knee disorder