Many with Arthritis Find Simple Solutions for Relief

MSN Health and Fitness—March 30, 2010

An older person with knee pain who learns that the cause is arthritis -- the wear-and-tear kind called osteoarthritis -- probably will do the right things to treat it, and probably won't consult a doctor or pharmacist, a new Canadian study finds.

The results of the self-guided program followed by most of the study participants were impressive, said Dr. Susan M. Goodman, an assistant attending rheumatologist at Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.

"What came through is that most people end up trying to do the right thing," she said. "The contribution of weight and lack of exercise was recognized in this large group."

Self-help is a natural course of action because "people don't regard osteoarthritis as a disease as much as they consider it wear and tear, something they can take care of themselves," Goodman said. So the study results can be considered a mark of plain common sense, she said.