Structured Rehabilitation for Knee Osteoarthritis and Musculoskeletal Impairments: A Case Series of Middle-Aged Men (35–45 Years) at RSUD Hanau, Central Kalimantan

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is not only prevalent among older adults but also affects younger men in their productive years, particularly those with risk factors such as obesity, prior trauma, or high-intensity sports participation. This study evaluated the effects of a 12-week structured rehabilitation program in male patients with knee OA and musculoskeletal impairments at RSUD Hanau, Central Kalimantan. Five male patients aged 35–45 years participated: (1) knee OA with obesity, (2) early OA in a long-distance runner, (3) post-traumatic OA after tibial ORIF, (4) ligamentous laxity with early OA in a badminton athlete, and (5) knee OA with chronic pain syndrome in a sports teacher. The standardized 12-week rehabilitation protocol included supervised physiotherapy (3–5 sessions weekly) with quadriceps strengthening, straight leg raises, joint mobilization, balance training, gait retraining, and adjunctive modalities such as cryotherapy and TENS. All patients showed clinically meaningful improvements in at least four domains. On average, pain reduced by 2–3 points on the VAS, knee flexion increased by 10°–20°, and 6MWT distance improved by 80–150 meters. Lequesne Index scores decreased, indicating reduced symptoms, while WOMAC and KOOS scores demonstrated improved pain, stiffness, function, and knee-related quality of life. The 12-week structured rehabilitation program produced significant functional and symptomatic improvements in middle-aged men with knee OA and related musculoskeletal impairments, underscoring its clinical relevance in managing early to moderate stages of OA among working adults.