Osteoarthritis: 11 Questions to Ask

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects your body and mind. Having open and honest communications with your doctor can go a long way toward helping you successfully manage your treatment and your overall health. Here are some questions you may want to ask your care provider:

  1. What is OA doing to my body? How serious is the disease for me?
  2. What lab tests or imaging studies are needed to monitor my condition?
  3. What are my treatment options?
  4. Should I see a specialist? What kind?
  5. What medications are right for me—and do they have side effects?
  6. What lifestyle changes should I make to reduce OA symptoms?
  7. What types of exercise are safe for me?
  8. Should I consider alternative therapies to complement my treatment plan?
  9. When do you think my symptoms start to improve?
  10. How often should I get checkups—and what symptoms should I report to you between appointments?
  11. Where can I get more information about my condition?