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Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis
- The evaluation begins with a medical history and a physical examination.
- There is no laboratory test specific for osteoarthritis.
- X–rays or CT scan of the affected joints may suggest the diagnosis.
Treatment
- Weight loss, low–impact exercise, physical therapy, and shoe
inserts or braces/splints are the first line of therapy.
- Over–the–counter
medications that have been shown to be useful include capsaicin
cream, acetaminophen (Tylenol), nonsteroidal anti–inflammatory
drugs (e.g., ibuprofen, Celebrex), and glucosamine and chondroitin
sulfate.
- Joint
injections can be effective in many cases that do not respond to
medications.
- Surgery, which may include joint replacement, is reserved
for severe cases that limit activities of daily living.
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