Osteoarthritis: Movement Is Medicine

Progressive loss of cartilage with reactive bone remodelling. Knees, hips and hands are most affected.

First-line treatment

• Structured exercise (strengthening + aerobic)
• Weight management
• Education and self-management programs
• Topical NSAIDs for hand/knee OA

Medication and procedures

Oral NSAIDs at lowest effective dose, intra-articular steroids for short relief. Hyaluronic acid has limited evidence.

Surgery

Total joint replacement is one of the most successful surgeries in modern medicine for end-stage hip or knee OA.

Strong thigh muscles protect knees better than supplements or special diets.