Abstract

Osteoarthrits (OA) is the most common articular disease worldwide affecting mostly people over 50 years of age. The etiology of the diseae is heterogeneous including degenerative and inflammatory processes. The risk factors of OA are increasing age, obesity, female sex, and trauma including recurrent occupational trauma. OA predominantly involves the weight-bearing joints: the knees, hips, cervical and lumbosacral spine and feet.

Nonpharmacologic interventions serve as the cornestone of OA therapy and include  patient education, physical therapy and joint unloading. Pharmacologic therapy includes acetaminophen, NSAIDs and opioids when necessary.

No more than four glucocorticoid injections should be made into a single joint per year because of the risk of long-term damage to the cartilage.

Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) are approved as symptomatic therapy of osteoarthritis of the knee.