Osteoarthritis is a common progressive disease in older adults, and those affected often have impaired physical function, co-existing disease states, and reduced quality of life. In patients with
osteoarthritis,
pain is reported as a primary cause of
mobility limitation, and guidelines recommend a mix of pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic strategies for
pain management. The benefits of exercise in the management of
osteoarthritis are well established; however,
pain appears to be the biggest barrier to patients engaging in, and adhering to, physical activity programs. Attitudes towards the use of
pain medications differ widely, and lack of efficacy or fear of side effects may lead to sub-therapeutic dosing. Furthermore, a recent review suggesting that short-term
paracetamol use is ineffective for
osteoarthritis has added to the
confusion. This narrative review investigates limitations of current medications, summarizes patient attitudes toward the use of
analgesics for
osteoarthritis pain (with a focus on
paracetamol), and explores the uptake of physical activity for
osteoarthritis management. Evidence suggests that, despite clear guidelines, symptoms of
osteoarthritis generally remain poorly managed. More research is required to investigate clinical outcomes in patients with
osteoarthritis through optimized medication plans to better understand whether longer-term
analgesic use in conjunction with physical activity can assist patients to overcome
mobility limitations.