Current treatments for osteoarthritis focus on alleviating symptoms and trying to slow the progression of damage. Current treatment options include:

• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs or Disease Modulating Agents – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as meloxicam or ketoprofen, are administered to help manage the pain associated with osteoarthritis. Disease modulating agents, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid, are administered as injections in the joint to reduce inflammation and/or slow progression of the damage.

• Weight Management – Maintaining a healthy weight is essential in the management of osteoarthritis. High levels of body fat produce inflammatory mediators that contribute to joint inflammation. Additional weight also puts excess force on the damaged joints.

• Activity Modification and Rehabilitation – Avoiding high-impact activities like running or jumping should be limited and replaced with activities such as short leash walks. Rehabilitation includes range of motion exercises and aqua therapy to help improve joint mobility and increase muscle mass. Other rehabilitation therapies can include acupuncture and laser therapy.

• Surgical Intervention – In some cases, the best form of treatment is surgical intervention. In many cases, this may mean treating the underlying condition responsible for the osteoarthritis, such as a knee cranial cruciate ligament rupture. Total joint replacement surgery is also considered usually in cases where osteoarthritis affects the hips.