[Treatment of patients with osteoarthritis].
The therapeutic management of patients with osteoarthritis aims to decrease pain and inflammation, improve physical function, and to apply safe and effective treatments. A patient-centered approach implies the active participation of the patient in the design of the treatment plan and in timely and informed decision-making at all stages of the disease. The nucleus of treatment is patient education, physical activity and therapeutic exercise, together with weight control in overweight or obese patients. Self-care by the individual and by the family is fundamental in day-to-day patient management. The use of physical therapies, technical aids (walking sticks, etc.) and simple analgesics, opium alkaloids, and antiinflammatory drugs have demonstrated effectiveness in controlling pain, improving physical function and quality of life and their use is clearly indicated in the treatment of osteoarthritis. Conservative surgery and joint replacement is indicated when treatment goals are not achieved in specific patients.
Especialista en Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Dr. Guigou, Tenerife, España. Miembro del GdT de Enfermedades Reumáticas de la semFYC. Electronic address: fvargasnegrin@yahoo.es.
Francisco
F
Vargas Negrín
Especialista en Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Vistabella, Murcia, España. Miembro del GdT de Enfermedades Reumáticas de la semFYC. Electronic address: medinaabellan@hotmail.com.
María D
MD
Medina Abellán
Especialista en Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Las Ciudades, Madrid, España. Miembro del GdT de Enfermedades Reumáticas de la semFYC. Electronic address: jcarlos_hermosa@hotmail.com.
Juan Carlos
JC
Hermosa Hernán
Especialista en Medicina de Familia y Comunitaria, Centro de Salud Pintores, Parla, Madrid, España. Miembro del GdT de Enfermedades Reumáticas de la SoMaMFyC. Electronic address: rdefelipe73@gmail.com.
Ricardo
R
de Felipe Medina
D006801:Humans; D010003:Osteoarthritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012648:Self Care
Analgesics; Analgésicos; Antiinflamatorios; Antiinflammatory drugs; Arthroscopy; Artroscopia; Artrosis; Autocuidado; Ayudas técnicas; Educación sanitaria; Health education; Joint replacements; Osteoarthritis; Osteotomy; Osteotomía; Physical therapy; Prótesis articulares; Self-care; Terapia física