Treatment Recommendations for the Management of Osteoarthritis

OA is the most common form of arthritis. It results from the degradation of the joint through overuse or injury. It is estimated that 30.8 million adults in the United States suffer from OA. Treatment options of OA come in both non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic forms, with varying levels of efficacy for each option depending on the joint it is intended to be used for. In 2019, the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) updated the guidelines for the management of osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, and hand. The guidelines have been updated to state that acetaminophen is no longer the first line option for OA. In addition supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin are also no longer favored for use in the management of OA. This clinical capsule aims to describe the guidelines for OA as outlined by the ACR so that pharmacists in any type of setting, but especially in the community, can recommend appropriate therapy and counsel patients accordingly.