Updated therapy in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis

In 2005, 9.6% of the Taiwan population were 65 years of age or older. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of chronic arthritis, which is a common cause of functional limitation and dependency in the elderly in Taiwan. The age-related changes in muscle strength and knee OA increase susceptibility to falls, which are associated with significant morbidity and mortality in the elderly. The plan for management should be tailored to the individual elderly patient and should be a multidisciplinary approach that includes nompharmacologic modalities combined with pharmacologic measures. Our understanding of the eticipathogenesis of knee OA has grown significantly in recent decades, which has led to targeted and more effective approaches to disease management. Therapeutic advances include the introduction of safer agents for symptomatic relief, as well as agents with potential for disease or structure modification.