Education and information

Common misconceptions about osteoarthritis appear to negatively impact an individual’s acceptance of nonsurgical, evidence-based treatments such as exercise and weight loss, in favour of surgery and alternative and experimental treatments. Thus patient education is crucial for effective osteoarthritis self-management to empower people to make informed decisions about their care, adopt healthier lifestyles, engage in exercise and minimise the use of invasive treatments such as joint replacement surgery when not appropriate.

OARSI Rehabilitation Discussion Group expert recommendations state that clinicians should:

  • Provide advice and education to every individual with osteoarthritis.
  • Educate the individual about osteoarthritis, helping them make sense of osteoarthritis and the symptoms they are experiencing from a patient-centred perspective.
  • Use a positive approach when educating the individual about osteoarthritis, with lay terminology that is not perceived as harmful, and that reduces fear of exercise.
  • Explain the importance of daily physical activity for long-term health.
  • Explain the purpose of exercise in the treatment of osteoarthritis.
  • Explain the benefits of exercise for improving pain and function, and that exercise is an effective way to cope with osteoarthritis.
  • Emphasize that the benefits of exercise for osteoarthritis come with consistent exercise participation over time, like taking a medication to manage other diseases.
  • Explain that participating in exercise is not associated with higher risk of joint damage or joint replacement, and that short-term pain with exercise does not indicate damage.
  • Ensure that the individual understands the difference between osteoarthritis pain flare ups and expected pain with exercise (e.g. muscle soreness).
  • Address any fears that the individual has that are related to exercise.
  • Address any misconceptions about the effectiveness of exercise, the safety of exercise and about pain with exercise.

Resources and tools to help support education and information

Below, you can find a useful selection of free resources and tools available to assist people with hip/knee osteoarthritis learn more about osteoarthritis and its management. Resources were assessed and selected based on their relevance for arthritis and the context of exercise, whether the information was factual and accurate, whether the source/author was reliable, the accessibility and clarity of the content, and whether the resource has been updated recently. Are you aware of other useful resources that aren’t listed here? Click here to let us know.

We would love to know how you are using this toolkit and its resources in your clinical practice. Click here to complete a quick one minute survey to let us know.

Education & information
Assessment & monitoring
Exercise prescription
Exercise adherence