HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Barron, M. C. Articles by Rubin, B. R. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Barron, M. C. Articles by Rubin, B. R.

From the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth—Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, where Dr Barron is a rheumatology fellow and Dr Rubin is chief of the Division of Rheumatology in the Department of Internal Medicine.

Address correspondence to Bernard R. Rubin, DO, MPH, Professor of Medicine and Chief, Division of Rheumatology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth—Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, 855 Montgomery St, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2553. E-Mail: brubin{at}hsc.unt.edu

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of arthritis seen in primary care practice. Pain associated with this condition is the chief complaint of most patients, prompting them to seek medical attention. Pain can originate from the synovial membrane, joint capsule, periarticular muscles and ligaments, and periosteum and subchondral bone, among other sources. Although osteoarthritis is traditionally thought of as a noninflammatory type of arthritis, inflammatory mechanisms can be present. Therefore, management of osteoarthritic pain involves both nonpharmacologic and pharmacologic modes of therapy. Nonpharmacologic approaches include osteopathic manipulative treatment, physical therapy, exercise, use of assistive devices, and weight reduction. Pharmacologic options may be topical, intra-articular, or oral in route of administration and include acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and opioids. Patients often benefit from combinations of therapeutic modalities. Although pain relief is a chief motivator for patients with osteoarthritis to seek medical attention, a secondary benefit of successful treatment is slowing the decrease in patients' quality of life.