How to Solve Chronic Joint Pain and Cut MSK Costs

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects a growing number of people, with over 30 million adults in the United States currently diagnosed. It is one of the leading causes of disability worldwide, placing an increasing strain on healthcare systems. Without widespread awareness of the disease, its treatment options, and a structured plan of action, the costs associated with chronic joint pain will continue to rise.

This article explores the current challenges and introduces clinically proven solutions available today.

The Impact of Osteoarthritis on Individuals and Society

People with OA experience symptoms such as stiffness, pain, and reduced mobility in affected joints—factors that can significantly diminish quality of life.

Beyond individual suffering, OA also imposes substantial costs on society. The financial burden of treatment, particularly total joint replacements, is significant for health plans, healthcare systems, and employers alike.

Osteoarthritis Treatment: Past, Present, and Future

Historically, OA treatment has focused on structural changes in the joint. However, research shows that visible changes on an X-ray do not always correlate with the severity of symptoms. Today, the scientific consensus is that OA should be diagnosed clinically, and treatment should prioritize symptom relief through exercise, education, and lifestyle modifications—rather than targeting structural joint changes.

“Treatment should focus on reducing symptoms with exercise, education, and lifestyle modifications rather than structural changes in the joint.”

Despite national and international guidelines, OA is often treated with high-risk interventions that may provide only temporary relief—or, in some cases, cause more harm than good. Treatment decisions should be based on clinically relevant outcomes for the patient, balanced against costs, with invasive procedures considered a last resort.

High-Risk OA Treatments:

• Arthroscopy (Minimally invasive joint surgery)
• Corticosteroid injections (Anti-inflammatory joint injections)
• Viscosupplementation (Hyaluronic acid injections into the knee)
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections (Using a patient’s own platelets to stimulate healing)
• Opioids (Pain-relieving drugs that affect the nervous system)
• Analgesic medications (Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen or diclofenac)
• Total joint replacement (Surgical removal and replacement of an arthritic joint with a prosthesis)

International Guidelines on OA Treatment

The recommended first-line OA treatment consists of arthritis education and structured land-based exercise programs, with or without weight management. While this approach does not alter structural radiographic changes, it is scientifically proven to improve physical function, enhance quality of life, and reduce OA-related pain. Moreover, it is cost-effective.

“The recommended first-line osteoarthritis treatment consists of arthritis education and structured land-based exercise programs.”

The Right Treatment at the Right Time

Personalized, structured exercise reduces chronic joint pain by strengthening the muscles surrounding the affected joint. This redistribution of strain alleviates pressure on the joint, improving mobility and reducing discomfort.

Additionally, movement stimulates cartilage cells to produce molecular building blocks that support repair, as joint cartilage is nourished by synovial fluid during movement. Patients also learn improved movement patterns, further reducing joint stress.

Providing first-line OA treatment—rather than immediately resorting to high-risk interventions such as medication or surgery—leads to better outcomes for patients.

For individuals experiencing severe pain that limits their ability to exercise, medications, injections, or even surgery may be necessary. However, surgery should be considered only when all other treatment options have been exhausted.

A Model for First-Line OA Treatment

Over a decade ago, a first-line OA treatment model based on education, exercise, and weight management was introduced in several markets. This approach has been shown to reduce patient demand for total joint replacements without adverse effects.

Many healthcare systems worldwide have seen a steady increase in total joint replacements over the years. However, in countries where structured OA education and exercise programs are widely available, the rate of joint replacements has stabilized.

Treating Chronic Joint Pain from Home

To make first-line OA treatment more accessible, digital clinics now offer a way for patients to treat hip and knee pain from home. Through an app-based program, patients receive physical therapy, education, and ongoing support from licensed physical therapists—following international guidelines.

How Digital Clinics Reduce Costs and Improve Outcomes

Digital clinics provide several advantages for patients, healthcare professionals, and society as a whole. For example, digital treatment:

• Enables daily reminders to enhance adherence
• Is available anytime, anywhere
• Provides continuous access to healthcare professionals
• Automatically tracks patient progress
• Can be updated more efficiently than in-person care, ensuring adherence to the latest medical guidelines

Digital treatment solutions also make healthcare more accessible, scalable, and efficient—especially for chronic conditions like OA.

“Digital treatment is a scalable option that optimizes traditional healthcare systems by ensuring every patient receives the best available first-line treatment immediately.”

From a cost perspective, digital OA treatment helps conserve healthcare resources by ensuring that patients receive effective first-line treatment without unnecessary, costly interventions. Additionally, it has the potential to reduce the number of total joint replacements, lower healthcare expenses, and decrease work absences related to chronic joint pain.

Conclusion

Osteoarthritis has a profound impact on individuals and society, with many patients undergoing total joint replacements that might have been avoided through earlier intervention. This places unnecessary strain on healthcare systems and increases costs.

However, a solution exists. By implementing digital first-line OA treatment—including exercise and education—as a standard approach, many patients can manage their symptoms effectively from home and avoid future complications associated with chronic joint pain.

Healthcare providers that adopt first-line treatment strategies will be able to reduce costs, improve patient outcomes, and expand access to care for OA patients.