Osteoarthritis: manageable scourge of aging.

摘要

Osteoarthritis is one of the most prevalent diseases of aging. An overview of osteoarthritis including definition, joints affected, clinical course, and classification is provided. Contributing factors, such as age, sex, ethnicity, obesity, diet, estrogen, and activity are discussed. Nursing interventions encompass weight control, adequate nutrition, evaluation of hormone replacement therapy, exercise and muscle strengthening, the use of assistive devices, medication assessment, pain control, psychosocial support, and the use of alternative therapies. Osteoarthritis can be successfully managed with the use of multifocal modalities.