Arthritis and joint conditions | McMaster Optimal Aging Portal

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Arthritis and joint conditions

Problems in and around our joints can range from relatively mild forms of tendinitis to severe body-wide rheumatoid arthritis. Joint pain is the most common symptom. Can exercise help with arthritis and other joint conditions? What about pain relief options? Find out what the evidence says.

Frozen shoulder: Do steroid injections help?

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Move more with less pain: A physical activity guide for hip and knee osteoarthritis

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Move better with arthritis: Simple exercises for your hips and knees

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Evidence Summary

Surgical interventions for treating hallux valgus and bunions.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2024)
Evidence Summary

In older people with knee osteoarthritis, stretching exercise programs can improve pain, stiffness, and physical function disability
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Arch Phys Med Rehabil (2023)
Evidence Summary

In people with rheumatoid arthritis, aerobic exercises and/or strength training improve some symptoms
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
J Adv Nurs (2021)
Evidence Summary

Paracetamol versus placebo for knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2019)
Evidence Summary

Home exercise supported by electronic tools can lead to small improvements in pain, physical function, and health-related quality of life in individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Journal of Medical Internet Research (2018)
Evidence Summary

Biologics or tofacitinib for people with rheumatoid arthritis unsuccessfully treated with biologics: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

In people with degenerative knee disease, arthroscopic knee surgery is not recommended (strong recommendation)
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
BMJ Open (2017)
Evidence Summary

Rehabilitation at home can be just as good as hospital-based rehabilitation for patients after knee surgery
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation (2016)
Evidence Summary

NSAIDs increase the risk for heart attack
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
BMJ (2017)
Evidence Summary

Biologics or tofacitinib for people with rheumatoid arthritis naive to methotrexate: a systematic review and network meta-analysis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Home-based exercise programs may be a promising alternative to clinic-based physical therapy following knee-replacement surgery
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatolology, Arthroscopy (2016)
Evidence Summary

Short-wave therapy reduces pain related to knee osteoarthritis in the short term but does not improve physical function
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Clin Rehabil (2016)
Evidence Summary

In people with acute gout, steroids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or low-dose colchicine is recommended, but lifestyle changes are not supported
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Ann Intern Med (2017)
Evidence Summary

In people who have knee osteoarthritis, therapeutic exercise programs reduce pain and improve physical functioning for up to 6 months after the end of the program
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Treating rheumatoid arthritis: Strong recommendations were made for best drugs, but most evidence was not of high quality
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Arthritis Rheumatol (2015)
Evidence Summary

In people with degenerative knee disease, arthroscopic knee surgery improves pain by a very small amount but does not improve physical function
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
BMJ (2015)
Evidence Summary

Topical NSAIDs for chronic musculoskeletal pain in adults.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Manipulation and mobilisation for neck pain contrasted against an inactive control or another active treatment.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Intra-articular corticosteroid for knee osteoarthritis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

High-intensity versus low-intensity physical activity or exercise in people with hip or knee osteoarthritis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Acupuncture for neck disorders.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Braces and orthoses for treating osteoarthritis of the knee.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

TNF-alpha inhibitors for ankylosing spondylitis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Chondroitin for osteoarthritis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

In people with knee osteoarthritis, most NSAIDs, intra-articular hyaluronic acid, and intra-articular corticosteroids reduce pain more than acetaminophen. Hyaluronic acid is better than some NSAIDs.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Ann Intern Med (2015)
Evidence Summary

In people with rheumatoid arthritis, some doses of biologic drugs increase serious infection
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Lancet (2015)
Evidence Summary

Rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis.
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Exercise programs focused on 1 type of exercise and with 3 sessions/week reduce pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Arthritis Rheumatol (2014)
Evidence Summary

In people who have knee osteoarthritis, physical therapy improves balance and reduces risk of falls
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Age Ageing (2014)
Evidence Summary

In people with rheumatoid arthritis, ‘biologics’ + methotrexate improve symptoms more than either alone
Rating 4 out of 5 stars
Ann Rheum Dis (2014)
Evidence Summary

In people with rheumatic and/or musculoskeletal diseases, wearable activity trackers increase activity
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken) (2019)
Evidence Summary

Exercise interventions and patient beliefs for people with hip, knee or hip and knee osteoarthritis: a mixed methods review.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2018)
Evidence Summary

The Mediterranean diet lowers risk of developing cancer, particularly colorectal cancer.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Annals of Internal Medicine (2016)
Evidence Summary

In people with frozen shoulder, steroid injections reduce pain and improve shoulder mobility for up to 6 months
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Am J Sports Med (2017)
Evidence Summary

Celecoxib for osteoarthritis.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2017)
Evidence Summary

Acupuncture improves functioning and provides short-term relief of knee pain due to osteoarthritis
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
J Bone Joint Surg Am (2016)
Evidence Summary

Aquatic exercise for the treatment of knee and hip osteoarthritis.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2016)
Evidence Summary

Exercises for mechanical neck disorders.
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2015)
Evidence Summary

Electrotherapy modalities for adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder).
Rating 3 out of 5 stars
Cochrane Database Syst Rev (2014)
Blog Post

Stretching away the pain: How do different stretching exercises compare for knee osteoarthritis?

Research provides support that stretching exercises can help improve certain symptoms among people with knee osteoarthritis.
Blog Post

Rheumatic and musculoskeletal conditions and exercise: Getting on track with wearable activity trackers

We can all use a helping hand from time to time. Being more physically active is one area where some of us need that extra assistance and motivation. Wearable activity trackers may be a source of support for people living with a rheumatic and/or musculoskeletal disease who are looking to increase their activity levels.
Blog Post

Getting to know what you don’t know about exercise and rheumatoid arthritis

Calling patients with rheumatoid arthritis and their caregivers! Do you know where the evidence stands on exercise as a treatment option? Peak inside for a breakdown of different exercise choices and what they may offer.
Blog Post

Acetaminophen (Tylenol): An “easy” fix for knee and hip osteoarthritis?

For years, Tylenol has been a go to treatment option for both patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis and their health care providers. But new research calls into question how effective this treatment option is.
Blog Post

Painful knees? What about acupuncture?

For people with knee osteoarthritis, living pain-free may seem a distant dream. The ancient practice of acupuncture may offer a way for people to reduce their pain and get back to their daily routine.
Blog Post

Painful knees? What about acupuncture?

For people with knee osteoarthritis, living pain-free may seem a distant dream. The ancient practice of acupuncture may offer a way for people to reduce their pain and get back to their daily routine.
Blog Post

Living with gout? Explore your treatment options

A gout flare-up can be a very unpleasant and painful experience. Several treatment options are available, so speak with your healthcare provider about which treatment might work best for you.
Blog Post

Telehealth: A new fix for an old problem – helping people with chronic conditions take better care of themselves

Is chronic illness getting you down? Telehealth is a promising way for you to connect with your health care provider and better manage your condition.
Blog Post

3 alternative options for pain relief

Alternative options for managing pain can bring relief without the risks associated with prescription drugs.
Blog Post

Mini-incision hip replacement surgery: Is it right for you?

If you or someone you know requires a hip replacement, find out the latest research comparing the benefits of mini-incision to standard surgery.
Blog Post

Biologic drugs for rheumatoid arthritis: the rewards may come with risks

A new type of drug may significantly improve rheumatoid arthritis progression and symptoms, but is associated with potentially serious side effects.
Blog Post

Bad knees? The right kinds of exercise can bring pain relief and improve balance

Osteoarthritis damages joints such as the knee, causing pain, stiffness, disability and increased risk of falls. Sufferers may avoid exercise and any physical activity out of fear of discomfort; however, some types of exercise help to ease symptoms and improve flexibility, balance, and function.

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