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Osteoarthritis

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the most common form of arthritis.

Alternative Names

Arthritis - osteoarthritis

Highlights

Glucosamine and Chondroitin

A combination of glucosamine and chondroitin may help reduce moderate-to-severe knee pain, according to long-awaited results from a national study. The clinical trial tested these dietary supplements against celecoxib (Celebrex) and placebo. Celecoxib worked best for patients with mild knee pain. Results of the Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) were published in the New England Journal of Medicine .

Exercise

Exercise may help improve the strength and quality of knee cartilage, suggests a small study in Arthritis and Rheumatism . Exercise and weight loss are the two most important lifestyle changes for patients with osteoarthritis.

Selenium

People who do not get enough selenium in their diet may be at increased risk for developing osteoarthritis, according to research presented at the American College of Rheumatology annual meeting.

Hand Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis of the hand may predict future development of osteoarthritis of the hip. In a recent study, patients with hand osteoarthritis were three times more likely to develop hip osteoarthritis than healthy patients. A family history of osteoarthritis and being overweight increased this risk.

Knee Surgery

Surgery should not be the first treatment for patients with damaged knee cartilage, according to a 2006 study in Arthritis and Rheumatism . Researchers showed that removing this cartilage could worsen osteoarthritis. Experts recommend that patients try lifestyle changes, braces, and medication before surgery.

Drug Research

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), work better than acetaminophen (Tylenol) in relieving moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain.
• Risedronate (Actonel), an osteoporosis drug, may help delay joint destruction in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

• Review Date: 4/19/2006
• Reviewed By: Harvey Simon, M.D., Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital

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