For those affected by osteoarthritis the quality and effectiveness of their treatment has a direct effect on their quality of life. Without effective treatment, pain and joint stiffening can hinder a person to the point that they can no longer mobilise, significantly increasing their risk of contracting a number of serious complications and comorbidities, such as deep vein thrombosis, pressure sores, pneumonia, weakness and decreased range of movement in the joints. Unfortunately no cure exists for osteoarthritis at present, as the mechanism by which it arises and progresses is still not completely understood. Therefore, the goal of treatment is to alleviate the signs and symptoms of the disease and, if possible, to slow its progression Controlling pain and the mechanisms that cause pain is currently the most effective method of preventing this condition from becoming debilitating. Each patient’s treatment is individual and based on assessing several factors, such as severity of the osteoarthritis, the affected joints, the nature of the symptoms, any existing medical conditions, their age, occupation, lifestyle factors and activities of daily living. The treatment ranges from at home care to physiotherapy, orthopaedic aids and orthoses, pharmacological treatment, and finally surgery and rehabilitation The first line of treatment in osteoarthritis is usually lifestyle changes such as exercise, weight reduction, and smoking cessation. These measures will give the body the best chance at slowing the disease, as well as increasing functional mobility. Exercise therapy is often used to increase muscle strength, reduce pain and lower the risk of complications. Many osteoarthritis sufferers are hesitant to exercise due to the pain they experience afterwards. It is recommended that post-exertion pain is treated with paracetamol, NSAIDs and either thermotherapy or Cryotherapy on the affected area. Maintaining a healthy weight is important to sufferers of osteoarthritis as any excess weight increases the pressure that is placed on joints and the subsequent pain. Weight loss is also favoured as it reduces the chances of other complications and decreases rehabilitation time, should surgery be undertaken. While a few studies have shown that smoking can have a protective effect against osteoarthritis, an overwhelming number indicate that it has many detrimental effects, such as interfering with healing processes and doubling joint pain, in addition to the general damage that is associated with smoking. Medication is often used in conjunction with lifestyle changes to reduce inflammation, and the associated pain. Drugs such as paracetamol and ibuprofen are frequently used to reduce mild pain and inflammation, while opioid drugs such as codeine or morphine may be used to control serve pain. The use of opioid drugs is a last resort as long term use is often associated with drug dependence and addiction. Once all conservative treatment options have been explored and joint pain persists to the point of debilitation, a variety of surgical options are available. Several surgical options are more commonly used in the treatment of osteoarthritis. The first is an osteotomy, which refers to bone being removed from a joint in order to shift the weight bearing surface onto healthier cartilage. A joint fusion or Arthrodesis is the complete or partial fusion of a joint and is often used to treat arthritis of the spine, ankles, hands, and feet. In cases where the joint has lost most of its structural integrity it may be necessary to surgically replace some or all of the joint surface or structures. This process requires major rehabilitation post operatively and is to be delayed for as long as possible, as replaced joints have a life expectancy of only 10-15 years.

Osteoarthritis is quickly being recognised as a disease which has a debilitating effect on a large portion of our elderly society. This disease directly affects the quality of life of its sufferers and often there is little to no treatment options available. Through education of the wider population and awareness of the importance of reducing risk factors, it is hoped that the prevalence of this disease drops significantly over the next few years. While treatment still relies on symptomatic relief, rapidly advancing science is working hard on curing and reversing the effects of osteoarthritis.