[Patient education for osteoarthritis]

Abstract

Therapeutic education is part of the nonpharmacological management of osteoarthritis (OA) both at the medical and surgical phase. The aim of education at an early stage of OA is to change patients' lifestyle, especially the regular practice of physical activity and weight reduction. When a surgical option is considered, the aim of education is to hasten patient recovery, improve autonomy after surgery, facilitate the return home and reduce the rate of transfer to a rehabilitation unit. Like other nonpharmacological treatment, therapeutic education implementation seems insufficient for OA management. One way to improve therapeutic education in the management of OA could be to propose dedicated continuing medical education programs supported by specific economic sources for health care professionals.