title: Refractory osteoarthritis. Differential diagnosis and therapy.
abstract: The patient with osteoarthritis and severe or resistant pain should be evaluated for coexistent mechanical problems or distinct diseases. Treatment remains symptomatic and empiric. The value of many frequently used invasive therapies remains unproven given the large placebo response rate in osteoarthritis. In this article, the many new agents in development that may prove to be chondroprotective are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Ohio, USA.
authors.forename: B F
authors.initials: BF
authors.lastname: Mandell
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Lipani
mesh_terms: D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control