(Michelle Roberts/ BBC News) — It may hurt to begin with, but can then ease pain and help individuals with osteoarthritis stay supple, healthy and slim, says the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
Scans aren’t needed to diagnose it and strong painkillers are not recommended.
There is no evidence flushing out the joint helps either.
Osteoarthritis is very common – about 7.4 million people in England over the age of 45 have it.
It can happen when the joints become damaged with age and injury. Being overweight is another risk factor. (…)