general principles for osteoarthritis treatment
Last reviewed 01/2023
Treatment of OA is aimed at the reduction of pain, caused by a variety of the pathological processes going on - inflammation, debris, venous stasis, capsular or muscle stretch, etc.
Treatment options are dependent on whether the condition is early, late or intermediate:
Early OA:
- pain relief
- improvement of joint mobility
- load reduction, e.g. walking stick, weight loss etc.
Intermediate OA:
- realignment osteotomy for younger patients
Late OA:
- unremitting pain and progressive disability are indications for radical surgery
- arthroplasty may be indicated for patients over 60 years. An arthroplasty may not be appropriate for a younger patient because the physical demands placed on an affected joint are likely to be greater and the arthroplasty may fail after a few years