What is a common condition treated in physical therapy?

Osteoarthritis is a common condition treated in physical therapy due to its impact on joint function and mobility. This degenerative joint disease involves the deterioration of cartilage and can lead to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion, particularly in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. Physical therapy plays a crucial role in the management of osteoarthritis by implementing exercises that improve strength, flexibility, and overall joint function while also helping to alleviate pain through modalities like heat or cold therapy and manual techniques.

While diabetes, hypertension, and asthma are significant health conditions that may require medical management and lifestyle modifications, they typically do not fall within the primary scope of physical therapy treatment as osteoarthritis does. Physical therapists often collaborate with healthcare providers to address the physical activity limitations caused by these conditions, but osteoarthritis is more directly linked to the physical therapy interventions commonly used to enhance mobility and quality of life.