AAOS ''Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee”: Summary of recommendations.

This summary contains a list of the evidence based treatment recommendations for knee OA and includes only less invasive alternatives to knee replacement. Full text available.

I have summarized it and listed specific interventions with strenght of evidence provided. 

1. Exercise – strong evidence for effectiveness
2. NSAIDs – strong evidence for
3. Acupuncture – strong evidence against
4. Glucosamine and chondroitin – strong evidence against
5. Hyaluronic acid injections – strong evidence against
6. Arthroscopy with lavage and debridement – strong evidence against
7. Weight loss – moderate evidence for
8. Needle lavage – moderate evidence against
9. Lateral wedge insoles – moderate evidence against
10. Physical agents (TENS, ultrasound, etc.) – inconclusive
11. Manual therapy (chiropractic, massage) – inconclusive
12. Valgus-directing force brace – inconclusive
13. Acetaminophen, opioids, pain patches – inconclusive 
14. Intraarticular corticosteroid injections – inconclusive
15. Growth factor injections and/or platelet-rich plasma – inconclusive
16. Partial meniscectomy in osteoarthritis patients with torn meniscus – inconclusive
17. Valgus-producing proximal tibial osteotomy – limited evidence
18. Free-floating interpositional device – no evidence; consensus against