Featured CME topic: Complementary and alternative medicine. Introduction (vol 98, pg 280, 2005)

Osteoarthritis is a most common health problem in population over age 40 and a leading cause of pain and disability in the United States. Treatments of osteoarthritis incorporate combination of nonpharmacologic modalities, pharmacologic agents and surgical procedures. Unfortunately nonpharmacological modalities are underutilized in the management algorithm. In addition to physical and occupational therapy, diet and exercise play an extremely important role, thus patient education in the above areas is of great importance. Pharmacological measures should be examined carefully by physician and the patient weighting its existing risks and benefits. Surgical procedures are generally reserved for patients with severe arthritis who have persistent aim and significantly reduced function. Presently, there are no proven structure/disease-modifying interventions and therefore current therapy is aimed to symptom relief and rehabilitation.