Proactive Wellness Care for Patients with Osteoarthritis.

Wellness care should start when the diagnosis of osteoarthritis becomes evident. Guidelines from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American College of Rheumatology are the basis of the treatment modalities. Providing patients with intentional strategies to prepare them for possible joint replacement surgery is key to prevent postoperative complications and give them the best opportunity for an optimal outcome after surgical intervention. The Clinical Guidelines for Nonsurgical Management of Osteoarthritis algorithm helps providers with the implementation of these strategies. The primary focus is to help providers be proactive instead of reactive in osteoarthritis care.