OA related papers

- Exercise Relieves Pain in Patients with Lower-Extremity Osteoarthritis

Paul S. Mueller, MD, MPH, FACP Reviewing Uthman OA et al., BMJ 2013 Sep 20; 347:f5555

Exercise prescription now should be a part of routine management for these patients.

The following types of exercise were evaluated: strengthening, flexibility, aerobic, and aquatic versions of these. For pain relief (measured with visual pain scales), strengthening, strengthening-plus-flexibility, nonaquatic combined (strengthening-plus-flexibility-plus-aerobic), aquatic strengthening, and aquatic strengthening–plus-flexibility exercises were significantly more effective than no exercise. Aquatic strengthening–plus-flexibility yielded the highest probability of pain relief, followed by strengthening only. For improving physical function, strengthening, strengthening-plus-flexibility, and nonaquatic combined exercises were significantly more effective than no exercise.

- Diet, Exercise, or Both for Knee Osteoarthritis?

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD Reviewing Messier SP et al., JAMA 2013 Sep 25; 310:1263

Diet and exercise together best achieve physiological and functional improvements.