Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million Americans (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). It occurs when the cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing the bones in the joint to rub against each other. This causes pain, stiffness and loss of movement in the joint. Osteoarthritis is most common among those aged 65 and older, but can affect people of any age. Additionally, African Americans and Hispanics report a higher incidence of arthritis than Caucasians (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). Although the cause is unknown, increasing age of the population, prevalence of obesity and injuries are believed to contribute to the progression of the condition. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body; however, those of the hand, hip, and knee are often the most common. This condition may be asymptomatic or present symptoms such as tenderness, stiffness and pain. Symptoms are more common in the elderly population, those with limited activity levels, and those who are obese. Joint cartilage thins over time, causing an increased risk of symptoms in older adults, and obesity puts additional pressure on joints during activity. Osteoarthritis is commonly diagnosed through a physical evaluation along with the results of radiological tests such as X-rays and MRIs. Osteoarthritis is not a curable condition, but it can be treated using both pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods. Mild analgesics are a common form of treatment for OA, including paracetamol and NSAIDs, taking into consideration other comorbidities that may be present. It is recommended that adults over the age of 75 use topical rather than oral NSAIDs to treat pain (Tugwell et al, 2012). Searching for A…half of the document…those goals. Part of a nurse's job in caring for a patient with osteoarthritis is to help him or her make a plan for how to achieve these goals. Having the ability to choose the safest treatment options that will improve your symptoms and overall quality of life is essential in planning your goals. Nurses cannot provide safe and effective care to patients without understanding what the patient is facing. Osteoarthritis is not curable and many treatments do not stop the progression of the condition, but only relieve the symptoms. Patient education is critical in this condition, as patients will need to be educated about safe long-term treatments, pharmaceutical treatments that are only safe for short-term use, ROM exercises they should practice daily, and options for surgical treatment along with the rehabilitation involved in such options.