Millions with joint pain and osteoarthritis are missing the most powerful treatment

"Exercise is widely recognized as one of the most effective treatments for long term joint conditions such as osteoarthritis. Even so, only a minority of patients are prescribed it. Studies from Ireland, the UK, Norway, and the United States reveal a consistent pattern. Fewer than half of people diagnosed with osteoarthritis are referred to exercise programs or physical therapy by their primary care provider."

"The most powerful treatment is not found in a prescription bottle or an operating room. It is movement. Yet in many countries and healthcare systems, patients are rarely directed toward the one therapy proven to reduce pain and protect joints: exercise."

"More than 60 percent receive treatments that clinical guidelines do not recommend, and about 40 percent are referred to a surgeon before non surgical options have been properly explored."

Osteoarthritis, affecting over 595 million people globally, is commonly treated ineffectively despite strong scientific evidence. Movement and exercise represent the most powerful therapy for reducing pain and protecting joints, yet healthcare systems consistently fail to prioritize this approach. Research from multiple countries shows fewer than half of osteoarthritis patients receive exercise referrals from primary care providers. Simultaneously, over 60 percent receive non-recommended treatments, and approximately 40 percent are referred to surgery before exploring non-surgical options. This treatment gap persists despite exercise being widely recognized as one of the most effective long-term interventions. Rising osteoarthritis cases, projected to reach one billion by 2050, are driven by longer lifespans, sedentary habits, and increasing obesity rates.

Read at ScienceDaily