Knee and hip osteoarthritis

Current Care Summary
Working group appointed by the Finnish Medical Society Duodecim and the Finnish Orthopaedic Association
22.10.2012

Current Care Guideline «Polvi- ja lonkkanivelrikko»1 and Summary «Polvi- ja lonkkanivelrikko»2 in Finnish

The goal of OA treatment is to relieve pain and maintain/improve patient’s functional capacity. First line medication is paracetamol and topical NSAIDs, and oral NSAIDs when needed. Tramadol and codeine may be considered in most severe cases. Glucosamine and chondroitin do not differ from placebo, but intra-articular glucocorticoids and hyaluronate may be useful. Supervised exercise is recommended especially for knee osteoarthritis. Cold, TENS and ultrasound therapies may offer short-term benefits in knee osteoarthritis. Arthroscopic debridement does not alleviate OA symptoms. Arthroplasty is indicated if pain is not otherwise manageable.

Jari Arokoski (chair)

Antti Eskelinen

Eeva-Eerika Helminen

Jyrki Kettunen

Antti Malmivaara

Ville Mattila

Eeva Moilanen

Risto Ojala

Pekka Paavolainen

Petri Salo

Petri Virolainen

Katriina Vuolteenaho