Patients can use warm towels, hot packs, or a warm bath or shower to apply moist heat to the joint. This can relieve pain and stiffness. Water therapy in a heated pool or whirlpool may also relieve pain and stiffness. For osteoarthritis in the knee, patients may wear insoles or cushioned shoes to redistribute weight and reduce joint stress. Osteoarthritis patients who are overweight or obese need to lose weight.
Weight loss can reduce stress on weight-bearing joints and limit further injury.
A dietician can help patients develop healthy eating habits. A healthy diet and regular exercise help reduce weight. Doctors use medicines to eliminate or reduce pain and to improve functioning. Doctors consider a number of factors when choosing medicines for their patients with osteoarthritis. Two important factors are the nature of the pain and potential drug side effects.