Nonpharmacologic strategies can be key for OA: conditioning the joint environment involves exercise, physical therapy, weight loss, and patient education.(Osteoarthritis)

Publication: Internal Medicine News

Publication Date: 15-JUN-06

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COPYRIGHT 2006 International Medical News Group

CHICAGO -- With the treatment of osteoarthritis in a "dismal state of affairs" without the benefit of disease-modifying medications, nonpharmacologic therapies have emerged as the main strategies for treating this most common form of arthritis in humans, Dr. Leena Sharma said at a symposium sponsored by the American College of Rheumatology.

With regard to knee osteoarthritis (OA), which afflicts about 6% of Americans, current evidence suggests that the best approach for most patients is a combination of exercise, physical therapy, appropriate weight loss, and patient education, said Dr. Sharma of the division of rheumatology at Northwestern University, Chicago.

"Exercise is the most important intervention that...

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