Best treatments for osteoarthritis (OA)

Understanding osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder. It is a degenerative joint disease in which the tissues in the joint break down over time; when the cartilage wears away, fragments of cartilage or the bones rub together. The most commonly affected joints are the hands, knees, hips, neck, and lower back. Symptoms usually begin slowly in one or a few joints. Common symptoms include pain when using the joint that may improve with rest, joint stiffness that usually lasts less than 30 minutes in the morning or after resting, and swelling in and around the joint, especially after a lot of activity. Some people notice a rubbing, grating, or crackling sound when moving the joint. There is no single test for OA. A clinician diagnoses it through medical history and a physical exam, often with X-rays that can show loss of joint space, bone damage, and bone spurs; blood tests are not helpful in diagnosing OA but may help rule out other causes, and joint fluid may be examined for causes such as infection or gout. OA cannot be cured, but symptoms can be controlled. Care goals include reducing pain, improving joint function, and maintaining quality of life. This is general information, not medical advice.

Frequently asked

What is the best medication for OA?

OA is osteoarthritis. There isn't a single "best" medication for everyone — The American College of Rheumatology and Arthritis Foundation give strong recommendations for exercise and for self-efficacy/self-management (education) programs in OA, and strongly recommend tai chi for knee and hip OA. NIAMS notes that a safe exercise program may include range-of-motion and stretching activities, strengthening exercises, exercises in the water, and low-impact activities, and advises starting any exercise program slowly. For people who are overweight or obese, NIAMS states that losing weight can help reduce pain, prevent more injury, and increase mobility in the joints. These non-drug measures are foundational management; when medication is added, ACR upgraded to strong recommendations the use of topical NSAIDs for knee and hand OA and oral NSAIDs for knee and hip OA. A clinician individualizes the plan to the affected joints, symptom severity, and other health conditions. This is general information, not medical advice.. Compare every option ranked above by our independent recall-safety rating (not an efficacy measure); this is general information, not medical advice.

What treats osteoarthritis?

Our catalog lists 17 products that may treat osteoarthritis, based on NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. They're rated where FDA recall-safety data exists; the current top-rated option is flector.

What is the best-rated treatment for osteoarthritis?

By our independent recall-safety rating — not an efficacy measure — flector ranks highest among the products we list for osteoarthritis. Always consult a professional.

How are these treatments ranked?

By our independent score, currently based on FDA regulatory recall-safety data (the methodology blends additional sources as they come online). See the How we rate page.

What types of drugs treat osteoarthritis?

Treatments for osteoarthritis span FDA drug classes including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, platelet aggregation inhibitor. Compare every option side by side, ranked by independent rating, above.

Treatment associations are derived from NIH RxClass (MED-RT “may treat”) drug-classification data — not the verbatim FDA label. This is general reference, not medical advice — always consult a licensed professional.