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Osteoarthritis Archive

Articles

Knee braces, hydrotherapy, and exercise stand out as the best nondrug therapies for knee osteoarthritis

Among 12 physical therapy approaches for knee osteoarthritis compared in a 2025 study, three stood out. Knee braces, followed by hydrotherapy (exercise in water) and exercise (strength training and aerobics), were best for reducing pain and stiffness and improving physical function.

Get a grip: How to manage thumb arthritis

Arthritis in the joint at the base of thumb (the carpometacarpal joint) can cause pain, weakness, and instability. It can seriously impair the ability to function. Thumb arthritis is diagnosed with a physical examination and x-rays. It can be managed with occupational therapy, which includes learning optimal hand positions and exercises and wearing a hand splint. Pain relief options include heat, pain medications, and cortisone injections. If these are inadequate or the condition is severe, surgery is an option.

Stopping osteoarthritis: Could recent heart research provide a clue?

Currently no medication can slow the progress of osteoarthritis. And while a reanalysis of a study of people with heart disease suggests a promising approach, more definitive research will be necessary to confirm this.

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