PHYSIOTHERAPY MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOATHRITIS OF THE KNEE USING WHO-ICF MODEL- A CASE REPORT

Akinremi, A. A.; Ogwu S. O. and Otolorin, O. A.

Department of Physiotherapy

Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso

E-mail: ogooluwa2@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

The World Health Organization (WHO’s) International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) has been proposed as a framework for developing diagnostic classifications for rehabilitation professionals. The model is gaining recognition in rehabilitation practice worldwide because it provides a useful tool in clinical decision making. It directs practitioners to address patient’s problem at the level of the whole person, with modifications made on basis of health conditions and personal and environmental factors. The ICF framework provides a conceptual basis and a universal common language for understanding and describing patient’s health status, reaching beyond mortality, disease, and medical diagnoses. It promotes a comprehensive multidisciplinary and patient-centered perspective in health care; and has been accepted and applied in the various aspect of rehabilitation to facilitate multidisciplinary team communication, to structure the rehabilitation process, for goal setting and assessment, for documentation and for reporting, but it is not widely used in most rehabilitation settings in Nigeria. The purpose of this case report is to describe an evaluative and diagnostic process that is based on the ICF framework for a patient with bilateral osteoarthritis of the knee.

Keyword: Osteoathritis, Physiotherapy, WHO-ICF