What are some of the main medical treatments for osteoarthritis?

Medical treatment is usually reserved for more severe OA, and usually starts with high-dose acetaminophen and topical creams. It can then proceed to non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs, and possibly tramadol in severe cases. Corticosteroid injections can also be used in certain circumstances. Joint replacement is possible for people with moderate to severe disease that clearly shows up on imaging.^[1]