More than three million Canadians live with osteoarthritis (OA). For September, Arthritis Awareness Month, we’ve launched a tool to help providers assist patients who experience symptoms of osteoarthritis.
The Osteoarthritis Tool can help family physicians and primary care nurse practitioners identify symptoms of OA. The tool also provides evidence-based, goal-oriented non-pharmacological and pharmacological management options while indicating triggers for investigations or referrals.
As the most common type of arthritis, OA is the result of the body’s failed attempt to repair damaged joint tissue. About 37 per cent of Canadians aged 20 or older diagnosed with arthritis stated that OA was their only form of the condition. In particular, 12 per cent experienced it in their hip(s) and 29 per cent in their knee. This is why we focused the OA Tool on OA of the hip and knee, in addition to OA of the hand, since they are the most common joints affected from the condition.
The Osteoarthritis Tool was developed based on a need identified by the Arthritis Alliance of Canada (AAC), which was suggested to the College of Family Physicians of Canada (CFPC). To learn more and access the OA Tool, visit thewellhealth.ca/oa.