There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but most people with osteoarthritis can manage their symptoms, continue with daily activities and live healthy and enjoyable lives. Be careful of any products or treatments that claim to cure osteoarthritis completely — your doctor will help to find the right treatment for you. The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (the Commission) has developed a guide to help you discuss the main treatment options for osteoarthritis of the knee with your doctor. Regular exercise Researchers have found that regular exercise is one of the most effective treatments for managing osteoarthritis. Not only does it keep your joints and muscles healthy and flexible, physical activity helps to prevent other health problems as well. In general, your exercise should include a mix of: flexibility — exercises like muscle stretches and yoga can help maintain or improve your joint and muscle movements muscle strengthening — exercises with weights and resistance bands improve your muscle strength, which takes pressure off sore joints, strengthens bones and improves balance fitness — exercises like brisk walking and cycling improve the health of your heart and lungs Choose activities that you enjoy and are convenient for you to do. Remember that activities such as gardening, looking after pets and taking the stairs instead of the lift all count as exercise. Healthy eating Extra body weight increases stress on many joints — especially the knees, hips and lower back. If you are overweight, losing weight can help decrease pain and limit further damage to your joints. While there is no diet that will cure osteoarthritis, a balanced diet helps to keep you healthy and prevent other problems. Watch out in particular for harmful dietary fats that are found in red meat, poultry and full-fat dairy products. Too much of these increases unhealthy LDL-cholesterol, which has been linked with increased cartilage damage in people with osteoarthritis. Instead, opt for healthier fats found in vegetable oils, avocados, nuts and seeds, fish and fish oil supplements. Special devices and footwear Walking sticks can help to reduce the load on your knees and reduce pain when moving about. Other ways to improve symptoms of osteoarthritis include taping the joint, wearing braces, or using shoe insoles (orthoses) that improve your body alignment when standing and walking. Check with your physiotherapist for advice about using aids or supports. Pain management It can be helpful to understand how your osteoarthritis pain works and your own response to it. Pain coaching, cognitive behaviour therapy or mindfulness may be effective in helping to prevent pain from disrupting your life. Oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) can be effective in reducing osteoarthritis pain. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about any potential side effects, such as stomach ulcers and bleeding. If tablets are not suitable, NSAIDs also come in cream or gel formulas, though these are generally only helpful for knee osteoarthritis. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about the best pain relief to use for your type of osteoarthritis since some medicines are only effective for certain joints, are not supported by clinical evidence, or have the risk of serious side effects. Surgery If your symptoms can’t be managed in other ways, your doctor may refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon. There are several different types of surgery for osteoarthritis. Arthrodesis involves joining (fusing) two bones into position to prevent pain, most commonly in ankles, wrists, fingers or thumbs. Arthroplasty (or joint replacement) involves removing a joint and replacing it with metal, ceramic or plastic parts. It can be done on knees, hips, shoulders, elbows, fingers, ankles, toes and even the spine. Osteotomy involves adding or removing a small section of bone either above or below your knee joint to help straighten the joint. It is usually done on knees, and occasionally hips. Arthroscopy (or keyhole surgery) involves inserting an arthroscope with a small camera into the joint to see directly into the area, so the surgeon can remove or repair any damaged cartilage. It is not recommended for people with knee osteoarthritis unless the knee locks.