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Options for managing hips or knee osteoarthritis

Options for managing hips or knee osteoarthritis

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Options for managing hips or knee osteoarthritis

To know more, see the PDF version of this Decision Box by clicking here.

  • What is osteoarthritis?Learn more

    Osteoarthritis (OA) is condition where joint tissue breaks down causing joint pain, stiffness and swelling. It is most common in the knee, hip and hand and it worsens over time. There is no cure for progressive joint damage caused by OA but its symptoms can be managed and quality of life improved.

  • Who might consider being treated for OA?Learn more

    Individuals with clinical symptoms or a diagnosis of OA.

  • Treatment optionsLearn more

    When choosing treatment, one should consider treatment costs, the severity of symptoms and an individual’s risk for potentially adverse
    events. The following treatment options are presented from least to most invasive:

    Less invasive







    More invasive

    		  
    • Medially wedged insoles
    • Muscle strengthening, aerobic exercises and weight loss for overweight individuals
    • Glucosamine
    • Acetaminophen
    • Acupuncture
    • Oral or topical NSAID therapy
    • Opioid therapy
    • Corticosteroid injection (knee OA)
    • Referral for joint replacement surgery
     
  • Why do patient preferences matter when making this decision?Learn more

    There are pros and cons to each option:

    PROS: Depending on the option, more or less people have a chance of experiencing reduced pain or improved functioning. Patient
    preferences regarding the options may depend on how invasive an intervention is, or on the severity of their symptoms.

    CONS: Most options present potential harms or pose challenges regarding patient adherence. Patients may have preferences for
    some options based on their tolerance of the side effect or based on the challenge for them to adhere to treatment.

We recommend that...

We recommend that...

Both taking and not taking the medication are acceptable options, so we propose that:

  1. The decision takes into account the patient’s values and preferences
  2. The clinician shares this decision with the patient

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