Jennie Walker presents the strategies available to alleviate patients’ joint pain and improve their quality of life

Many older people are affected by osteoarthritis (OA). The main symptoms of this chronic disease are pain, stiffness and potentially reduced function of affected joints. In severe OA the ability to engage in functional and social activities may be restricted and, as a consequence, quality of life may be affected. Nurses have an important role in pain assessment, education and support of people with OA in many different healthcare settings.