Introduction: Osteoarthritis is a progressive, degenerative disease of the synovial joints. Arthrosis is characterised by localised areas of articular cartilage loss in the synovial joints. Arthrosis is accompanied by subchondral bone changes, bone spur formation at the joint margins, thickening of the joint capsule and inflammation of the synovial capsule. Muscle weakness and ligament laxity are present. The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain in the affected joint and morning stiffness. Exercise is part of physiotherapy treatment, which plays an important role in reducing the reduction in improving the mobility of the individual. Purpose: The aim of this thesis is to determine the impact of different types of exercise on improving lower limb muscle performance and, consequently, reducing knee joint pain in patients with knee arthrosis based on a literature review. Methods used: We searched literature using the PubMed database, and articles were rated according to the PEDro scale. The following English keywords and phrases have been used: osteoarthritis AND physiotherapy, knee osteoarthritis AND quadriceps, osteoarthritis AND quadriceps strengthening exercise AND pain, quadriceps exercise AND pain. Results: We included seven studies written in English in the literature review based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Studies have been carried out to improve the performance of lower limb muscles. Exercise lasted 6 to 12 weeks. All studies assessed pain, while six studies also assessed muscle performance. Study results have shown that exercise aimed at improving lower limb muscle performance effectively reduces pain, but is less effective in improving lower limb muscle performance. Discussion and conclusion: Based on the results, we can confirm that exercise aimed at improving lower limb muscle performance plays an important role in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis due to its positive effect on both pain as well as muscle performance; however, due to the non-comparability of the studies, we cannot draw clear conclusions regarding the most effective exercise programme and the most optimal exercise programme parameters.
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