The document discusses various measures to help with osteoarthritis (OA), including weight control, activity modification, maintaining bone strength, physiotherapy, bracing, and pain medications. It emphasizes weight control, exercise, avoiding excessive stress on joints, using supports, and mechanical therapies like physiotherapy, fitness, weight loss, bracing, and surgery can help improve leg alignment and manage OA symptoms. Swimming and biking are recommended activities, while weight control makes a real difference in slowing OA progression.

1. Measures that help
 Weight control
 Activity Modification
 Maintaing Bone Strength
 Physiotherapy
 Bracing
 Pain and Anti-inflammatory Meds*
*Symptomatic control only
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013

2. Modifying your activities
 Exercise is important and good!
 Avoid Excessive stress
… kneeling, long sitting & stairs
 Reduce impact and repetitive pivoting
 Use support: bracing, canes, etc.
 Biking may help
Swimming is great
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013

3. Weight Control
 Makes a real difference
 Increasing weight speeds OA progression
 Reducing weight slows OA progression
 Can be difficult to control
 Family as part of ‘Support Team’
 Spa - Rehab Exercises, Swimming
 Obesity surgery
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013

4. Medication for Knee OA?
Only controls Symptoms
– Tylenol 500-1000mg 3 x day
– NSAIDs as medically indicated*
Articular injections
– Hyaluronates (Jells)
– Cortisone
*Complications include: increased blood pressure,
liver/kidney toxicity, stomach upset/ulcers
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013

5. Mechanical Therapy works
Mechanical therapy improves leg alignment,
examples include:
Physiotherapy
Fitness
Weight loss
Bracing
Surgery
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013

6. Mechanical Therapy works
Mechanical therapy improves leg alignment,
examples include:
Physiotherapy
Fitness
Weight loss
Bracing
Surgery
© OAISYS Incorporated 2013