Table 1 Section 1: Statements and synoptic review of Clinical Practice Guidelines

1) Exercise can be effective on all patients, regardless of the pain severity.

NICE (1.2.5–1.4.1) [4]; EULAR (3–6-7) [2];

OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

2) In an advanced stage of the disease, exercise can damage the joint (reversed statement).

NICE (1.2.5–1.4.1) [4]; EULAR (2–3–6-7) [2];

OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

3) The rehabilitation programme must always include a part of education on the pathophysiology of osteoarthritis and self-management strategies.

NICE (1.3.1–1.3.2–1.3.3) [4]; EULAR (3–5) [2]; OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

4) The rehabilitation programme should always include a part of manual treatment (reversed statement)

NICE (1.4.2) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

5) Exercise should only be undertaken after prescribing drug treatment to control pain (reversed statement).

NICE (1.2.5–1.4.1) [4]; EULAR (3–6-7) [2];

OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

6) The use of topical anti-inflammatory drugs is effective for pain relief for knee osteoarthritis.

NICE (1.5.3) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (Table 2) [3]

7) Radiographic findings are needed to express a functional diagnosis of osteoarthritis (reversed statement).

NICE (1.1.1) [4]; EULAR (1) [2]; OARSI (−)

8) Radiographic findings are needed to plan the physiotherapy treatment (reversed statement).

NICE (1.1.1) [4]; EULAR (1) [2]; OARSI (−)

9) Physical activity should be avoided because it can damage the joint (reversed statement).

NICE (1.2.5–1.4.1) [4]; EULAR (3–6-7) [2];

OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

10) The use of topical anti-inflammatory drugs is effective for pain relief for hip osteoarthritis.

NICE (−); EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

11) In case of severe joint degeneration, it is necessary to recommend rest from physical activity (reversed statement).

NICE (1.2.5–1.4.1) [4]; EULAR (2–3–6-7) [2];

OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

12) In cases of severe pain (VAS ≥ 6/10), arthroplasty surgery should be preferred to rehabilitation (reversed statement).

NICE (1.6) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

13) The use of TENS should be considered.

NICE (1.4.4) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

14) The use of physical therapies such as lasers, TECAR and ultrasound therapy should be considered (reversed statement).

NICE (1.4.4) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

15) In addition to the rehabilitation treatment, it is useful to recommend physical activity (for example, yoga, swimming, Nordic walking).

NICE (1.2.5–1.3.2–1.4.1) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

16) It is important to recommend weight loss to overweight or obese patients.

NICE (1.2.5–1.4.3) [4]; EULAR (3–8) [2]; OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

17) Age > 45, pain and absence of joint stiffness (or < 30 min) in the morning are sufficient to diagnose osteoarthritis.

NICE (1.1.1) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

18) The use of comfortable footwear, braces or aids should be considered.

NICE (1.3.2–1.4.7–1.4.8–1.4.9) [4]; EULAR (3–9-10) [2]; OARSI (Tables 2-3) [3]

19) It is advisable to refer the patient for arthroscopy surgery to reduce symptoms and start/continue treatment (reversed statement).

NICE (1.4.10) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

20) It is necessary to assess the impact of osteoarthritis on function, quality of life and disability.

NICE (1.2.1) [4]; EULAR (1) [2]; OARSI (−)

21) At least 10–12 sessions are needed to ensure proper treatment for osteoarthritis.

NICE (1.4.1) [4]; EULAR (6) [2]; OARSI (−)

22) In the treatment for osteoarthritis, the patient’s adherence to the treatment must be motivated.

NICE (1.3.2–1.4.1–1.7.1) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)

23) Joint hyaluronic acid and/or corticosteroid infiltrations should be considered.

NICE (1.5.12–1.5.13) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (Table 2) [3]

24) The supplements of chondroitin and glucosamine should be considered (reversed statement).

NICE (1.4.5) [4]; EULAR (−); OARSI (−)