Introduction OA is a musculoskeletal disease that causes chronic joint pain and reduced physical function (Laba, brien, Fransen, & jan, 2013). Osteoarthritis (OA) is a non-inflammatory disease of the synovial joints that causes loss of hyaline cartilage and remodeling of the surrounding bone. OA is the most common joint disease, with an estimated prevalence of 60% in men and 70% in women later in life after age 65, and affects approximately 40 million people in the United States (Goodman & Fuller, 2009 ). . Women are most commonly affected after age 55, with almost all experiencing some symptoms by age 70 (Tan, Zahara, Colburn & Hawkins, 2013, p.78). Osteoarthritis can be described radiologically, clinically or subjectively. It commonly affects the hands, hips, knees, shoulders, and spine (Walker, 2011, p. 14). Osteoarthritis is an intrinsic defect of the articular cartilage. Caused by slowly progressive deterioration of the articular cartilage accompanied by degenerative changes in the bone, including thickening of the subchondral bone cyst and the formation of large bony protrusions (osteophytes) at the joint margins. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in large weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, as well as in some of the smaller joints in the hands and feet (Ciccone, 2007, p. 229). ). It is predicted to become the fourth leading cause of disability globally by 2020 (Laba et al., 2013, p.2). According to Juby and Davis (2011), these demographic changes as the “baby boomer” generation ages will likely result in an increase in the prevalence of both degenerative and inflammatory arthritis, and timely access to appropriate care and maximization of therapeutic interventions will be vital to maintaining independence...... middle of paper ......oi:10.3810/psm.2013.11.2032HoRubak, T., Svendsen, S., Søballe, K., & Frost , P. (2013 ). Periods of progression of risk and rate of total hip replacement due to primary osteoarthritis in relation to cumulative physical workload. Scandinavian Journal of Work, Environment and Health, 39(5), 486-494. doi:10.5271/sjweh.3365Ruby, A., & Davis, P. (2011). Osteoarthritis studies using intraarticular temperature response to hydrocortisone acetate and prednisone injection. Annals of Rheumatic Diseases, Tulunay, F. (2000). NSAIDs: behind the mechanisms of action. Functional Neurology, Suppl 15 (3) 202-207. US Food and Drug Administration, Protecting and Promoting Your Health (n.d.) Dietary Supplements Retrieved from: http://www.fda.gov/aboutfda/transparency/basics/ucm193949. htmWalker , J. (2011). MANAGEMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS. Nursing care for the elderly, 23(9), 14-19.