Evidence-based Practices for Osteoarthritis Management

Overview

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful, chronic joint disorder that primarily affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine. It affects the entire joint, including the cartilage, subchondral bone beneath the cartilage, synovium or joint lining, ligaments and menisci, and muscles around the joint.

OA management and patient education—including self-management and pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic recommendations—requires that nurses stay up-to-date with evidence-based practice.

The goal of this article is to assist nurses to provide better care for patients with osteoarthritis through evidence-based practice.

Key Learning Outcomes

• Describe how to assess a patient with osteoarthritis (OA)
• Discuss pharmacologic management of OA
• Discuss nonpharmacologic management of OA

Presented By

Elizabeth A. Schlenk, PhD, RN, FAAN
Elizabeth A. Schlenk is an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh
school of nursing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Xiaojun Shi, BSN, RN
Xiaojun Shi is a PhD student at the University of Pittsburgh school of nursing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

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