Med. praxi. 2010;7(12):470-474

Current international recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of knee osteoarthritis

MUDr.Martina Olejárová, CSc.

Revmatologický ústav, Praha

The new EULAR recommendations for the diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis allow an early diagnosis of this disease based on the clinical

presentation without the need for evidence of radiographic changes. Typical symptoms include pain on exertion, sensation of instability,

short morning stiffness or stiffness after inactivity and impairment of function; typical signs of knee osteoarthritis include crepitations,

painful or limited motion, and the presence of osteophytes or little exudate and of joint deformities. The recent OARSI recommendations

for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis include a total of 25 treatment modalities (12 nonpharmacological, 8 pharmacological

and 5 surgical). Among nonpharmacological interventions are patient education, lifestyle and activity modifications, regular telephone

consultations, evaluation by a physical therapist, regular exercise, weight reduction, walking aids, knee braces, appropriate footwear, thermal

therapy, transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation or acupuncture. Pharmacotherapy involves paracetamol as an analgesic of choice

followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (systemic or topical), intra-articular hyaluronic acid, glucosamine sulphate, glucosamine

hydrochloride, chondroitin sulphate, diacerein and opioid analgesics. Surgical treatment involves the implantation of endoprostheses

(total and unicompartmental), osteotomies and preventive procedures, arthroscopy, intra-articular lavage and arthrodesis.

Keywords: knee osteoarthritis, recommendation, patient education, pharmacotherapy, surgical treatment

Published: January 1, 2011  Show citation