“The best available evidence suggests that exercise should be recommended as a nonpharmacologic treatment option for hip and knee osteoarthritis,” writes reporter Sharon Worcester in Internal Medicine News on Nov. 30.

“So says a technical panel of experts convened by the American College of Rheumatology to revise existing treatment recommendations on the nonpharmacologic treatment of hand, hip, and knee OA. The panel began work on the recommendations in 2008, and the proposed revisions—based on consensus of the panel—are now under review by the ACR.

“The panel found ‘strong’ evidence that aerobic land-based exercise, resistance land-based exercise, aquatic exercise, and weight loss for overweight patients can be helpful for reducing pain and improving physical function in hip and knee osteoarthritis, Carol Oatis, Ph.D., reported at the annual meeting of the American College of Rheumatology. As such, the panel proposes to recommend these treatments, said Dr. Oatis, a physical therapist and professor of physical therapy at Arcadia University in Glenside, Pa., and a member of the technical expert panel.

Read more about the panel’s “strong” recommendation.