Which nonpharmacologic intervention is strongly recommended for all forms of OA?

• A. Exercise
• B. Surgery
• C. Intra-articular steroids
• D. Opioids

Answer: (A)

Regular exercise stands out as the strongest nonpharmacologic intervention for all forms of OA because it directly improves the way the joint moves and feels. By incorporating aerobic activity, strength training, and flexibility work, you build the muscles around the joint, which stabilizes and supports loading during movement. This reduces pain, enhances range of motion, and improves function across affected joints such as the knees, hips, and hands. Exercise also helps with weight control, which lowers joint stress, a benefit especially important for load-bearing joints. The evidence and guidelines consistently recommend regular, moderate‑intensity activity as the foundational nonpharmacologic strategy, with options that can be tailored to each person—think walking, swimming, cycling, or gentle resistance training. In contrast, surgery and intra-articular steroids are invasive or procedural treatments for specific situations, and opioids are pharmacologic analgesics with risks, not universal nonpharmacologic management.