In OA management, surgical interventions are typically recommended at which stage?

• A. Last resort
• B. Early stage
• C. After two weeks of therapy
• D. If patient requests surgery

Answer: (A)

In osteoarthritis, surgery is viewed as a last resort after nonoperative measures have been optimized and failed to control symptoms. The usual approach starts with lifestyle changes, physical therapy, weight management, and medications (like analgesics and NSAIDs) or injections to relieve pain and preserve function. Surgery is considered when these conservative efforts do not provide lasting relief and there is persistent disabling pain or significant functional impairment, indicating advanced disease. It isn’t determined by a fixed timeframe or by patient demand alone, but by whether the symptoms and disability have not improved despite optimized nonoperative treatment.