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Treatments for Osteoarthritis

There is no cure for OA. Most symptoms can be managed with lifestyle changes and medicines. People who are not helped by these methods may need surgery. Early treatment can improve outcomes and lessen joint damage.

The main goals of treating OA are:

  • Pain relief
  • Maintaining mobility and function
  • Decreasing joint deformity
  • Slowing the disease
  • Maintaining or improving quality of life

OA treatment involves:

REFERENCES:

Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases website. Available at: https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis. Accessed August 24, 2021.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-hip. Accessed August 24, 2021.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-knee. Accessed August 24, 2021.

Last reviewed July 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Laura Lei-Rivera, PT, DPT