Rationale: Conservative treatment, including physiotherapist-guided exercise and weight reduction in overweight patients, has been shown to be effective for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. All patients should undergo conservative treatment before considering prosthetic surgery.
References:
• Osteoarthritis Management: Updated Guidelines from the American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation, Am Fam Physician. 2021;103(2):120-121
• Bannuru, R. R., Osani, M. C., Vaysbrot, E. E., Arden, N. K., Bennell, K., Bierma-Zeinstra, S. M. A., ... McAlindon, T. E. (2019). OARSI guidelines for the non-surgical management of knee, hip, and polyarticular osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 27(11), 1578-1589.
• Weng, Q., Goh, S. L., Wu, J., Persson, M. S. M., Wei, J., Sarmanova, A., ... Zhang, W. (2023). Comparative efficacy of exercise therapy and oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and paracetamol for knee or hip osteoarthritis: a network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. British Journal of Sports Medicine
• Gibbs AJ, Gray B, Wallis JA, Taylor NF, Kemp JL, Hunter DJ, Barton CJ. Recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis: A systematic review of clinical practice guidelines. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2023 Jun 30:S1063-4584(23)00832-4. doi: 10.1016/j.joca.2023.05.015. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 37394226