When I had arthroscopic surgery on my right knee to repair a torn cartilage, my orthopedic surgeon also found evidence of osteoarthritis in that knee.  Not surprising, really, given my age and family history, but new research says many docs would now be recommending drugs or surgery that they shouldn’t for that new diagnosis.

This month’s issue of the journal Arthritis Care & Research suggests that doctors are disregarding standard medical guidelines to manage the joint inflammation condition of osteoarthritis (OA) through lifestyle improvements (like exercise or weight loss) – and instead relying on drugs and surgery.   Continue reading →