Osteoarthritis

 

TheBasics

Diagnosis

♦  Symptoms: stiffness, pain, joint swelling. Often exacerbated by activity or weight bearing.

♦  Laboratory investigations: Generally not diagnostic, but may be used for differential diagnosis (e.g. crystal deposition for gout or biomarkers for rheumatoid arthritis)

♦  Imaging: Reserve radiographic studies for symptomatic patients. Ultrasound or MRI may be useful in detecting other causes of symptoms, such as meniscal tears.

 

Treatment

♦  Lifestyle:  Weight loss, moderate exercise, heating pads or ice packs, supportive devices such as braces or canes. Educate patient that treatment is palliative, not curative.

♦  Medications:  Acetaminophen
                             Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
                             Glucosamine/chondroitin is as effective as NSAIDs in some studies.
                             COX-2 inhibitors, with caution and vigilance about cardiovascular risks
                              Intra-articular corticosteroids provide at least short-term relief in some cases
                              Reserve opioid painkillers for the most severe cases

♦  Surgery:  Joint replacement, for suitable patients in whom other measures provide little relief
 

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ClinicalTrials

Tai Chi or Hydrotherapy for People With Osteoarthritis of the Hip(s) or Knee(s)
www.clinicaltrials.gov -
An Investigational Drug in Patients With Osteoarthritis
www.clinicaltrials.gov -
Glucosamine Unum In Die [Once A Day] Efficacy (GUIDE) Trial: Glucosamine Sulfate in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis
www.clinicaltrials.gov -
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PubMed

Genome-wide association study for osteoarthritis.
pubmed.gov - 2/1/13
Effect of vitamin D supplementation on progression of knee pain and cartilage volume loss in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial.
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Regulatory gene networks and signaling pathways from primary osteoarthritis and Kashin-Beck disease, an endemic osteoarthritis, identified by three analysis software.
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The role of metabolomics in osteoarthritis research.
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Implementation of subject-specific collagen architecture of cartilage into a 2D computational model of a knee joint--data from the Osteoarthritis Initiative (OAI).
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PatientResources

Osteoarthritis
NIH Senior Health

 

What Is Osteoarthritis? (Easy to read)
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases

 

Osteoarthritis
American College of Rheumatology

 

Osteoarthritis
Mayo Clinic