Osteoarthritis: perspectives on treatment

Osteoarthritis is an almost universal complication of aging, analogous to arteriosclerosis. Most important in management is education of the patient, which fosters intelligent cooperation. Reduction of stress on affected joints is essential. Relief of symptoms can be achieved locally by steroid injection or systemically by administration of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, but complete obliteration of symptoms may cause harm by encouraging continued abuse of the damaged joint. When all else fails and the osteoarthritic joint is persistently painful even on limited use and/or its function has been greatly restricted, then replacement surgery should be considered.