What is the recommended first-line treatment for knee OA?

What is the recommended first-line treatment for knee OA?

• A. Only supervised exercise
• B. Medication management alone
• C. Supervised exercise, patient education, and weight loss
• D. Only weight loss

Answer: (C)

Knee osteoarthritis responds best to non-pharmacologic strategies that improve strength, reduce knee load, and empower self-management. Supervised exercise strengthens the muscles around the knee, especially the quadriceps, which helps stabilize the joint, lessen pain, and improve function. Patient education equips you with knowledge about how to pace activities, modify movements, and stick with an exercise plan, which boosts adherence and long-term benefit. Weight loss, if needed, lowers the mechanical stress on the knee during walking and other weight-bearing activities, which can reduce pain and slow progression. Put together, these elements address both the symptoms and the underlying mechanical factors driving knee OA, making this the strongest first-line approach. Medication alone may relieve pain but doesn’t modify load or self-management, and focusing on exercise or weight loss alone misses a crucial part of the combined benefit.

Knee osteoarthritis responds best to non-pharmacologic strategies that improve strength, reduce knee load, and empower self-management. Supervised exercise strengthens the muscles around the knee, especially the quadriceps, which helps stabilize the joint, lessen pain, and improve function. Patient education equips you with knowledge about how to pace activities, modify movements, and stick with an exercise plan, which boosts adherence and long-term benefit. Weight loss, if needed, lowers the mechanical stress on the knee during walking and other weight-bearing activities, which can reduce pain and slow progression. Put together, these elements address both the symptoms and the underlying mechanical factors driving knee OA, making this the strongest first-line approach. Medication alone may relieve pain but doesn’t modify load or self-management, and focusing on exercise or weight loss alone misses a crucial part of the combined benefit.