A Brief Synopsis of AFP's "Practice Guidelines ACR Issues Recommendations on Therapies for Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee"

A brief synopsis of:
Practice Guidlines; ACR Issues Recommendations on Therapies for Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee   
 http://www.aafp.org/afp/2013/0401/p515.html
Am Fam Physician. 2013 Apr 1;87(7):515-516.

     This is a pretty short article on therapy recommendations for osteoarthritis. Let's start off with the hand. After the patients ability is assessed, the patient can be given assistive devices or a splint. Initial medication can be NSAIDs (oral or topical), topical capsaicin, and Tramadol  Patients older than 75 should be given topical over oral meds when available. In knee osteoarthritis, patients should participate in aquatic, aerobic or resistance exercise. Tai chi is also recommended. If the pain is chronic, moderate, or severe, acupuncture or TENS can be used, especially if they refuse arthroplasty. Medial wedged insoles can be used for patients with lateral compartment osteoarthritis. Patients can also have intraarticular corticosteroid injections, NSAIDs and Tramadol. Recommendations for the hip are similar to the knee recommendations for exercise and medication. They may also benefit from a walking aid. Chondroitin ans glucosamine are not recommended for hip osteoarthritis  There is no recommendation for tai chi either.