Main description:

Osteoarthritis: The Facts helps patients and their carers better understand the condition, empowering patients with the knowledge and skills to actively take charge of their own health by knowing as much as they can about osteoarthritis, and finding out how this can be best managed.

Part 1 details what osteoarthritis is, what causes it, who it affects, what the main symptoms are, how it is diagnosed, and what the long-term outcome is. Part 2 explains the potential aspects of management that can be used for osteoarthritis, including self-management strategies, exercise, diet, medications, surgical treatments, and alternative therapies. Osteoarthritis: The Facts also includes a useful resources section, including information on support groups and websites, providing
the reader with an opportunity to educate and empower themselves with tools that will help reduce their suffering.

Contents:

PART 1: BACKGROUND TO OSTEOARTHRITIS ; 1. What is osteoarthritis? ; 2. Risk factors for osteoarthritis and how to prevent it? ; 3. Symptoms and signs ; 4. How is osteoarthritis diagnosed ; 5. The outlook or prognosis ; PART 2: MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS ; 6. The management of osteoarthritis - an overview ; 7. The role of exercise ; 8. The role of weight loss ; 9. Complementary or alternative therapy ; 10. Medicines used in osteoarthritis ; 11. Device use ; 12. Surgical therapy ; 13. Depression and coping ; 14. Developing self efficacy and health professionals that can help you ; APPENDIX 1: A TYPICAL CASE HISTORY ; APPENDIX 2: USEFUL ADDRESSES ; GLOSSARY