The 2013 AAOS evidence-based clinical practice guideline for knee osteoarthritis contains 15 recommendations derived from systematic review of over 10,000 literature sources. It replaced the 2008 version ahead of schedule due to methodologic concerns about that edition's reliance on secondary evidence sources rather than independent analysis.
When a knee OA patient or referring physician asks about hyaluronic acid injections or glucosamine supplements, the AAOS Strong recommendations against both give you evidence-based footing to redirect toward exercise programs and NSAIDs — the two interventions with the strongest guideline support.
Note that intra-articular corticosteroids, though widely used, are rated only Inconclusive, meaning clinical judgment and patient preference should drive that decision.
The 2013 AAOS evidence-based clinical practice guideline for knee osteoarthritis contains 15 recommendations derived from systematic review of over 10,000 literature sources. It replaced the 2008 version ahead of schedule due to methodologic concerns about that edition's reliance on secondary evidence sources rather than independent analysis.
When a knee OA patient or referring physician asks about hyaluronic acid injections or glucosamine supplements, the AAOS Strong recommendations against both give you evidence-based footing to redirect toward exercise programs and NSAIDs — the two interventions with the strongest guideline support.
Note that intra-articular corticosteroids, though widely used, are rated only Inconclusive, meaning clinical judgment and patient preference should drive that decision.