Figure 1 Footnotes
Strongly and conditionally recommended approaches to management of hand, knee, and/or hip OA are
shown. No hierarchy within categories is implied in the fig ure, with the recognition that the various
options may be used (and reused) at various times during the course of a particular patient's disease.
a
Exercise for knee and hip OA could include walking, strengthening, neuromuscular training, and
aquatic exercise, with no hierarchy of one over another. Exercise is associated with better outcomes when
supervised.
b
Knee brace recommendations: tibiofemoral (TF) brace for TF OA (strongly recommended),
patellofemoral (PF) brace for PF OA (conditionally recommended).
c
Hand orthosis recommendations: first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint neoprene or rigid orthoses for first
CMC joint OA (strongly recommended), orthoses for joints of the hand other than the first CMC joint
(conditionally recommended).
` Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting an
estimated 302 million people worldwide, and is a leading cause of disability
among older adults.
` The knees, hips and hands are the most commonly affected appendicular
joints.
` OA is characterized by pathology involving the whole joint, including
cartilage degradation, bone remodeling, osteophyte formation, and synovial
inflammation, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and loss of normal joint
function.
Key Points
Tables 1-2 Legend
Strongly recommended
Conditionally recommended
Strongly recommended against
Conditionally recommended against
No recommendation
Figure 1 Legend
Strongly recommended
Conditionally recommended
Treatment
