Osteoarthritis Pain

Osteoarthritis can affect us as we age. A lot of weightbearing joints like the hip and the knee, for example, are predisposed to osteoarthritis especially in older patients. Therapies can include pharmacologic agents like acetaminophen, but also injectable local anesthetics, and agents like hyaluronidase, which can be used to help stabilize the knee joint in cases of osteoarthritis. Topical therapies are now used even to a greater extent than before because we have more of them. Topical diclofenac gel is approved for use in osteoarthritis in the joints of the arms and lower extremities. There is also an abundance of data on the usefulness of cognitive behavioral therapy and psychological therapies for the treatment of low back pain. Physical therapy exercises are also something that I recommend to older patients to help stabilize the joints with muscular strengthening exercises. If you look beyond traditional therapies for the treatment of osteoarthritis, there are complementary alternative therapies like acupuncture that can be used.