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Joints & Bones

Joints & Bones verdicts ranked by evidence score. 211 verdicts in this category.

54 foods and supplements claimed to help joints and bones, ranked by evidence
Drugs and procedures removed — only what you swallow, ordered by how strong the evidence is.

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Joints & Bones Evidence Ranking

Within this category, verdicts with higher evidence scores appear first. Verdicts without a score stay lower in the same list.

A 88 Zoledronic acid (intravenous bisphosphonate, Aclasta, prescription) Prevention of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis
A 86 Risedronate sodium (oral bisphosphonate, Actonel, prescription drug) Prevention of vertebral and hip fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis
A 86 Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance (therapeutic balance-exercise program) Reduction of falls in community-dwelling older adults at high risk
A 86 Otago Exercise Programme (individually prescribed home balance, strength, and walking exercise) Reduction of actual falls among community-dwelling older adults
B 79 Denosumab (RANKL inhibitor, Prolia, prescription medicine) Reduction of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
B 79 Alendronate (bisphosphonate; Fosamax; prescription) Prevention of vertebral, hip, and nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis with a prior fragility fracture
B 79 Topical diclofenac (Voltaren Emulgel, nonprescription medicine) Reduced pain and improved function in knee osteoarthritis
B 79 Methotrexate (folate-antagonist conventional synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drug and prescription medicine) First-line disease control and inhibition of joint-damage progression in disease-modifying-antirheumatic-drug-naive moderate-to-high-activity rheumatoid arthritis
B 78 Romosozumab (sclerostin-inhibiting antibody, Evenity, prescription medicine) Prevention of vertebral, hip, and clinical fractures in postmenopausal women at high fracture risk
B 77 Teriparatide (PTH analog and bone-forming agent, Forteo, prescription) Prevention of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in patients with osteoporosis at high fracture risk
B 77 Raloxifene (prescription selective estrogen-receptor modulator, or SERM) Reduced risk of new vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
B 76 Etoricoxib 30 mg, a prescription selective COX-2 nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug Reduced pain and improved physical function in symptomatic knee or hip osteoarthritis
B 76 Allopurinol (prescription xanthine-oxidase-inhibiting urate-lowering drug marketed as Zyloric) Maintenance of target serum urate and long-term reduction of gout flares and tophi in recurrent or tophaceous gout
B 76 Etanercept (TNF-alpha inhibitor biologic; prescription injection, Enbrel) Improved disease activity, function, and radiographic structural-damage progression when added to methotrexate in active rheumatoid arthritis with inadequate methotrexate response
B 76 Tibolone (tissue-selective synthetic steroid; prescription drug; Livial) Prevention of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in older postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
B 76 Individually tailored multifactorial fall prevention addressing exercise, medication, vision, and home hazards Reduced falls and recurrent falls over one year in community-dwelling older adults
B 76 Specialist-selected high-bioavailability oral antibiotics for the first six weeks of complex bone and joint infection treatment No increase in one-year treatment failure beyond the prespecified margin versus prolonged intravenous therapy
B 74 Febuxostat (prescription xanthine oxidase inhibitor and urate-lowering drug; Feburic) Long-term reduction of gout flares and tophi by maintaining serum urate below 6 mg/dL in recurrent gout
B 74 Abaloparatide (PTHrP-analog bone-forming agent, Tymlos, prescription injection) Prevention of new vertebral and nonvertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis at high fracture risk
B 74 Cemented hip hemiarthroplasty (bone-cement fixation, a prescribed surgical procedure) Prevention of periprosthetic fracture compared with uncemented hemiarthroplasty in older adults with displaced femoral-neck fracture
B 72 Bazedoxifene (selective estrogen-receptor modulator, or SERM; prescription osteoporosis drug, Viviant) Prevention of new vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis
B 70 Vitamin D, bone-health axis Calcium absorption, prevention of osteomalacia, and reduction of fracture risk
B 70 Naproxen (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug, NSAID, nonprescription or prescription) Improvement of pain and function in knee or hip osteoarthritis
B 70 Upadacitinib (oral JAK1 inhibitor, Rinvoq, prescription) Improvement in remission, pain, and physical function in rheumatoid arthritis inadequately responsive to prior antirheumatic therapy
B 70 Bilateral daytime polypropylene functional foot orthoses made from negative casts and individualized prescriptions Relief of walking pain at six months in mild-to-moderate hallux valgus
B 70 Six to eight sessions of group cognitive behavioral therapy addressing pain-related thoughts and behaviors, pacing, graded activity, and avoidance Reduced disability related to chronic low-back pain
B 70 Hip arthroscopy Improved hip-related quality of life and function at 12 months in femoroacetabular impingement syndrome
B 70 Offer of a soft bandage with immediate discharge Equivalent three-day pain after pediatric distal radius torus fracture
B 68 Ibandronate (nitrogen-containing bisphosphonate; prescription drug, Boniva) Reduction of new morphometric vertebral fractures in women with postmenopausal osteoporosis
B 66 Celecoxib (a selective COX-2-inhibiting nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory prescription medicine marketed as Celebrex) Reduced pain and stiffness and improved physical function in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
B 66 Meloxicam (an oxicam NSAID with preferential COX-2 inhibition; prescription drug, marketed as Mobic) Improved pain, stiffness, and WOMAC function scores in knee or hip osteoarthritis
B 64 Hydroxychloroquine sulfate (prescription 4-aminoquinoline conventional synthetic DMARD; Haloxin) Improvement of pain, swelling, physical function, and disease activity in DMARD-naive low-activity early rheumatoid arthritis
B 64 Conjugated equine estrogens (CEE, menopausal hormone therapy, prescription medicine) Reduced hip fractures during treatment in postmenopausal women after hysterectomy
B 64 Colchicine (microtubule-inhibiting prescription anti-inflammatory drug; also called colchicine and marketed in Korea as Colkin) Pain reduction and flare relief in acute gout
B 62 Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables (ASU) Improvement of knee osteoarthritis pain and function
B 62 Carpal tunnel release by division of the transverse carpal ligament Long-term improvement in carpal tunnel symptoms and function
C 59 Semaglutide 2.4 mg as a once-weekly prescription subcutaneous injection Improved pain and physical function in moderate knee osteoarthritis with obesity
C 58 Tai chi exercise intervention Improved pain and function in knee osteoarthritis
C 56 Intra-articular corticosteroid injection Short-term improvement in pain and shoulder function in adhesive capsulitis
C 56 Tai chi, a low-intensity mind-body exercise intervention Improvement in fibromyalgia symptom burden, pain, fatigue, sleep, and function
C 56 Acupuncture, primarily manual needle acupuncture Clinically meaningful improvement in pain and physical function from knee osteoarthritis
C 56 Traditional tight swaddling with the legs extended and adducted for at least 20 hours daily for one month Increased developmental dysplasia of the hip in infants with physiologically immature hips
C 56 Hospital-issued socks with rubber or synthetic slip-resistant tread Reduced inpatient falls
C 56 Going barefoot or wearing ordinary socks or stockings without shoes Increased falls during everyday activity and indoor walking in older adults
C 56 A wide desk-mounted forearm-support board for computer work Reduced incidence of new neck and shoulder musculoskeletal disorders
C 56 Shoe-mounted coil ice cleats (Yaktrax Walker) plus use instruction Fewer winter outdoor falls in fall-prone older adults
C 56 A standardized fracture liaison service that systematically identifies patients aged 50 or older and links assessment, treatment, and fall prevention Reduced subsequent distal-forearm, proximal-humerus, or hip fragility fractures
C 55 Vitamin K2 (MK-7, menaquinone-7) Bone health and vascular calcification/calcium metabolism
C 55 Balance and functional exercise for older adults (community exercise program) Prevention of fall-related fractures in community-dwelling older adults
C 54 Rosehip (Rosa canina) Joints (osteoarthritis) and antioxidant
C 54 Chrysanthemum zawadskii extract (GCWB106) Joint and cartilage health and improvement of knee pain
C 54 Supervised land-based exercise therapy (strength, aerobic, and functional exercise) Improved pain and disability in knee osteoarthritis
C 54 Dry needling (insertion of an unmedicated needle into myofascial trigger points) Reduced morning first-step and foot pain in plantar fasciitis
C 54 Oral prednisolone, a systemic glucocorticoid prescription drug Analgesic equivalence to indomethacin or naproxen in adult acute gout
C 54 Therapeutic aquatic exercise Improvement of pain and daily function in knee or hip osteoarthritis
C 54 Whole chilies and sweet peppers Lower odds of prevalent sarcopenia
C 54 Repeated consumption of carbonated soft drinks, including cola Lower bone mineral density or increased fracture
C 54 See title and evidence table for the studied intervention. The stated clinical outcome in the title.
C 54 A multifaceted package of foot orthoses, foot and ankle exercise, footwear advice and subsidy, falls education, and routine podiatry Reduced fall rate in community-dwelling older adults with disabling foot pain
C 54 Custom-molded RTV silicone toe separator worn at night Reduced radiographic hallux valgus angle over 12 months in moderate hallux valgus
C 54 Physical therapy compared with intra-articular glucocorticoid injection Reduced pain and functional disability in knee osteoarthritis
C 52 External hip protector (impact-absorbing pads in protective underwear; non-drug protective product) Prevention of hip fractures in older adults at high risk of falls
C 52 Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation Short-term improvement in pain and function for knee osteoarthritis that has not responded to conservative treatment.
C 51 Cetyl myristoleate complex (CMO and cetylated fatty acids) Improved knee-joint pain and function
C 50 MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) joint pain and function improvement
C 50 Boswellia serrata (frankincense) joint inflammation and pain relief
C 50 Collagen (hydrolyzed/UC-II) joint and bone health
C 50 Gelatin Joints, skin, and hair
C 50 Natural eggshell membrane (NEM) Improvement of knee-joint pain, stiffness, and function
C 50 Topical diclofenac, an NSAID gel or plaster Improved pain and function in acute ankle sprain
C 50 Burdock-root decoction tea Knee osteoarthritis pain and function
C 50 Ground sesame seeds, 40 g/day Improved knee osteoarthritis pain and function
C 50 Vitamin D3 50,000 IU taken with a meal containing zero or 30% of energy from fat Higher plasma vitamin D3 concentrations 10 to 14 hours after dosing
C 50 Sensor- and smartphone-prompted active microbreaks Prevention of new neck and low-back pain in pain-free, high-risk office workers
C 50 A neck-mounted smartphone holder adjusted to keep neck flexion at 0-15 degrees, added to exercise Reduced nonspecific neck pain and disability in adults with heavy smartphone use
C 50 Long-term workplace use of high heels at least 5 cm high Increased midfoot pain
C 50 Home transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation Reduced movement-evoked pain in fibromyalgia
C 50 Original constraint-induced movement therapy combining less-affected-hand restraint with intensive task training Improved upper-limb performance and real-world use 3 to 9 months after stroke
C 50 A wearable continuous low-level lumbar heat wrap maintained near 40 C Reduced short-term pain and disability in acute nonspecific low-back pain
C 50 Early weight-bearing beginning two weeks after operative fixation of an adult ankle fracture Improved four-month ankle function versus six-week delayed weight-bearing without a clear complication increase
C 50 A 10-day below-knee cast for severe acute ankle sprain with inability to bear weight Improved ankle function at three months versus double-layer tubular compression bandage
C 50 Comprehensive orthogeriatric care delivered immediately after admission in a dedicated geriatric ward Improved four-month mobility after hip fracture in previously ambulatory older adults
C 50 A split keyboard separated to align with forearm and shoulder width Reduced wrist ulnar deviation while typing
C 50 Ibuprofen 400 mg plus acetaminophen 500 mg taken as needed after third-molar extraction Reduced postoperative pain versus hydrocodone 5 mg plus acetaminophen 300 mg
C 50 Soft denture liner Reduced mandibular residual-ridge resorption in complete-denture wearers
C 50 Vosoritide 15 μg/kg by once-daily subcutaneous injection Increased annualized growth velocity over 52 weeks in children with achondroplasia
C 50 Intravenous etelcalcetide Improved PTH response versus cinacalcet in hemodialysis patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism
C 50 Palopegteriparatide (TransCon PTH) Maintained corrected normocalcemia while eliminating active vitamin D and reducing calcium supplementation in chronic hypoparathyroidism
C 50 Cinacalcet Serum calcium normalization in inoperable primary hyperparathyroidism
C 50 Burosumab Radiographic rickets healing in children with X-linked hypophosphatemia
C 50 Loxoprofen sodium hydrogel transdermal patch Noninferior improvement of myalgia symptoms versus oral loxoprofen
C 48 Undenatured type II collagen (UC-II) Joint pain, function, and flexibility
C 48 Curcumin (turmeric, curcumin/turmeric) Anti-inflammatory and joint health
C 48 Lilium lancifolium extract powder Improvement of joint discomfort and function
C 48 SAMe (S-adenosyl-L-methionine; ademetionine) Improvement of osteoarthritis pain and function
C 48 Poly-gamma-glutamic acid (γ-PGA; Bacillus-fermented natto polymer) Enhanced calcium absorption and bone health
C 48 Yoga (instructor-led exercise program adapted for chronic nonspecific low back pain) Improved pain and function in chronic nonspecific low back pain
C 48 Extracorporeal shock-wave therapy for chronic plantar fasciitis, including radial and focused protocols Improvement of morning first-step pain and function in chronic plantar fasciitis
C 47 Devil's claw root (Harpagophytum procumbens) Relief of osteoarthritis and low-back pain
C 46 Prunes (dried plums) Maintenance of postmenopausal bone density and prevention of osteoporosis and fractures
C 46 Calcium fructoborate, a branded boron ingredient sold as FruiteX-B Improvement of knee-joint pain and function
C 46 Low-level laser photobiomodulation (PBM/LLLT; red or near-infrared medical device or procedure) Short-term improvement in pain and WOMAC disability in knee osteoarthritis
C 46 Intra-articular polynucleotide injection for the knee, including PN or PDRN products Improved pain and function in knee osteoarthritis
C 46 Cervical traction, including mechanical, manual, and over-door traction, added to exercise Clinically meaningful improvement in pain and neck-related disability from cervical radiculopathy
C 46 One to two drinks/day, defined as beer 356 mL, wine 118 mL, or spirits 42 mL Maintained bone density and prevention of osteoporosis or fractures
C 46 Added nonsurgical periodontal treatment with scaling and root planing Reduced rheumatoid arthritis disease activity in patients with coexisting periodontitis
C 46 Pyrrolizidine-alkaloid-reduced comfrey root extract ointment, Kytta-Salbe f Reduced acute nonspecific upper or lower back pain
C 45 Calcium (supplement) Bone health, maintenance of bone mineral density, and fracture prevention
C 44 White willow bark extract Relief of osteoarthritis pain
C 44 Dry needling (a physical-therapy adjunct inserting a needle into myofascial trigger points without injecting medicine) Reduction of chronic nonspecific neck muscle pain and disability
C 43 Tart cherry concentrate (Prunus cerasus) Reduction of uric acid and prevention of gout flares
C 43 Kinesiology tape (elastic adhesive tape; nonmedical product) Improvement of pain, walking, and physical function in knee osteoarthritis
C 43 Paraffin bath therapy (superficial thermal rehabilitation treatment or home-use device) Reduced pain and improved grip strength and hand function in hand osteoarthritis
C 42 Milk basic protein (MBP) Maintenance of bone mineral density and suppression of bone resorption
C 42 Taheebo extract (Tabebuia avellanedae, Tabetri®) Joint and cartilage health and knee discomfort
C 42 Oral prednisone (prescription systemic corticosteroid) Improved function and pain in acute sciatica caused by a herniated disk
C 42 Therapeutic ultrasound (low-intensity long-duration or physical-therapy ultrasound device) Improvement of pain and function in knee osteoarthritis
C 41 Angelica decursiva leaf extract Improvement of joint discomfort and function
C 41 L-leucine (a branched-chain essential amino acid sold as a single-ingredient supplement) Improved muscle mass, grip strength, and walking function in older adults with sarcopenia
C 40 Boron Bones, joints, and hormones
C 40 Cat's claw (Uncaria tomentosa or Uncaria guianensis, dietary supplement) Relief of pain and inflammation in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis
C 40 Cissus quadrangularis (a Vitaceae plant-extract supplement) Faster clinical and radiographic fracture union with less pain and swelling when added to fracture fixation
D 35 Chondroitin (chondroitin, mainly chondroitin sulfate) Claims for joint and cartilage health, improvement of osteoarthritis pain and function, and maintenance of joint space
D 34 Glucosamine joint (knee) pain and function improvement
D 34 Aquamin marine-algae multimineral from Lithothamnion Increased bone mineral density and prevention of fractures
D 34 Calcitonin salmon nasal spray (antiresorptive peptide prescription drug) Prevention of new vertebral fractures in postmenopausal osteoporosis
D 34 Pulsed electromagnetic field device (PEMF; non-drug wellness or rehabilitation device) Improved pain, stiffness, and physical function in knee osteoarthritis
D 34 Lumbar support (back belt or occupational low-back brace) Prevention of low back pain incidence and related sick leave in physical workers
D 34 Long-term opioid analgesic strategy using stepped prescription medication management Superior long-term pain-related function versus a nonopioid strategy for chronic back or hip or knee osteoarthritis pain
D 34 Mixed intake of lean and oily fish Prevention of incident rheumatoid arthritis
D 34 Nonfermented milk without complete separation by fat content Prevention of total and hip fractures in adults
D 34 Periodontitis diagnosis and treatment codes in health-care records Increased incidence of rheumatoid arthritis
D 34 A guideline, education, leadership, and onsite-support bundle to reduce physical restraints in nursing homes The claim that physical restraints prevent falls and fall-related fractures
D 34 Expanded use of hospital bed and chair exit alarms Reduced inpatient falls and injurious falls
D 34 Habitual knuckle cracking Increased hand osteoarthritis
D 34 Low-level amber LED arrays outlining the bathroom or entry doorframe as seen from the bed Reduced nighttime falls among assisted-living residents with dementia
D 34 A physiotherapist-prescribed individualized home exercise program soon after hospital discharge Improved mobility while reducing falls in older adults
D 34 A stand-alone HARP program in which an occupational therapist assesses and removes or modifies home fall hazards Lower hazard of a first fall over 12 months in high-risk community-dwelling older adults
D 34 An early complex occupational-medicine add-on intervention Reduced six-month cumulative low-back-pain sick leave in workers with physically demanding jobs
D 34 Parathyroidectomy Prevention of death and major disease in mild primary hyperparathyroidism
D 34 Total hip arthroplasty Reduced reoperation within two years versus hemiarthroplasty for displaced femoral-neck fracture
D 32 Glucosamine sulfate (oral joint supplement and medicine in some countries) Improvement of chronic low back pain and disability associated with degenerative lumbar disease
D 31 Choline-stabilized orthosilicic acid (ch-OSA, a bioavailable silicon complex sold in supplements such as BioSil) Improved bone formation and femoral bone density when added to calcium and vitamin D in women with osteopenia
D 30 Autologous platelet-rich plasma administered by intra-articular knee injection Reduced pain and slowed cartilage loss in knee osteoarthritis
D 30 Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS, low-frequency medical device available without a prescription) Improved persistent pain and disability in chronic nonspecific low back pain
D 30 Emu oil (topical animal-derived oil from emu fat, sold as a cosmetic or wellness product) Relief of knee or hand arthritis and joint pain
D 30 Whole-body vibration platform (vibration exercise device) Prevention of bone loss and increased bone density in postmenopausal osteopenia
D 30 Plantar-fasciitis tension night splint Improvement of first-step morning pain and function in plantar fasciitis
D 30 Dextrose prolotherapy (peri-ligament injection procedure) Reduction of chronic nonspecific low back pain and functional disability
D 30 Autologous platelet-rich plasma (ultrasound-guided subacromial autologous-blood injection) Improved shoulder pain and function in rotator-cuff tendinopathy
D 30 Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate, an image-guided viscosupplement injection Improved pain and function in hip osteoarthritis
D 30 Subacromial corticosteroid injection Long-term improvement in rotator cuff-related shoulder pain and disability
D 30 Therapeutic ultrasound, low-intensity sound used in physical therapy Additional pain and function improvement when added to exercise and heat for rotator cuff disease
D 30 Continuous passive motion device Clinically meaningful additional range-of-motion, pain, and functional recovery after total knee arthroplasty
D 30 Custom-made semirigid foot orthoses molded from an individual cast Improved plantar-fasciitis pain and function versus a sham insert
D 30 Instrumented lumbar fusion as elective surgery for chronic nonspecific low back pain Greater disability improvement than intensive cognitive and exercise rehabilitation
D 30 At least four 150-mL cups of coffee daily, 600 mL or more, or caffeine above 330 mg/day Prevention of osteoporotic fractures in women
D 30 Vitamin D3 1,200 IU daily in healthy term infants Greater bone strength at 24 months than standard 400 IU daily
D 30 Stopping or continuing alendronate after five years of use Fracture prevention over the next five years
D 30 Posture-correcting shirt and tension bands Posture and neck-pain improvement
D 30 Compression arthritis gloves Relief of hand pain in rheumatoid or undifferentiated inflammatory arthritis
D 30 A raised toilet seat used after total hip arthroplasty Prevention of early hip dislocation within six months after surgery
D 30 Six weeks of strict sling immobilization and prohibition of active motion after rotator cuff repair Reduced 12-month ultrasound retear versus early pain-limited active motion
D 30 Enamel matrix derivative (Emdogain) Increased marginal bone level 12 months after regenerative surgery for peri-implantitis
D 28 Green-lipped mussel oil (New Zealand green-lipped mussel) joint pain relief
D 28 Intra-articular triamcinolone acetonide (prescription corticosteroid injection) Long-term relief of knee osteoarthritis pain with repeated injections
D 28 Continuous therapeutic ultrasound (physical-therapy energy device) Improving chronic nonspecific low back pain and disability
D 28 Lumbar radiofrequency denervation of facet or sacroiliac joint nerves Long-term pain and function improvement in chronic low back pain
D 28 Whole full-fat yogurt Improved bone-turnover markers
D 28 Uncooked lactobacilli-rich vegan diet Improved rheumatoid-arthritis activity and symptoms
D 28 Ice added to usual care for acute ankle sprain Pain relief and faster recovery
D 28 Same-day split dosing of weekly oral methotrexate 25 mg Improved rheumatoid arthritis treatment response
D 28 A weighted vest worn about eight hours daily during weight loss Attenuation of hip bone loss
D 28 Keeping a schoolbag at or below 10% of body weight Prevention of new low back pain in adolescents
D 28 Unstable curved rocker-sole footwear Improved chronic low-back-pain disability and pain versus flat athletic shoes
D 28 Cushioned insoles containing static bipolar magnets Relief of plantar heel pain
D 27 Far-infrared sauna (whole-body heat therapy using a non-drug device or facility) Relief of joint pain and morning stiffness in rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis
D 27 Low-dose naltrexone (6 mg orally) Reduced pain in fibromyalgia
D 26 Lorecivivint 0.07 mg (a single investigational intra-articular knee injection) Reduced pain in moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis
D 25 Shark cartilage Joints and anticancer effects
D 25 Acetaminophen/paracetamol (non-opioid analgesic, Tylenol, nonprescription drug) Faster recovery and improved pain and function in acute nonspecific low back pain
D 25 Proper lifting education and assistive-device training (manual material handling training, a workplace ergonomics education program) Prevention of low back pain, back-related disability, and absence in workers
D 24 Diazepam (prescription benzodiazepine) Rapid reduction of pain and disability in acute nonspecific low back pain
D 24 Customized orthotic insoles (non-drug foot orthoses) Prevention of low back pain and duty suspension during prolonged walking or training
D 24 Therapeutic ultrasound for acute ankle sprain rehabilitation Reduction of pain and swelling and acceleration of functional recovery after acute ankle sprain
D 22 Mechanical lumbar traction Improved pain and function in subacute or chronic nonspecific low-back pain
F 18 Glucosamine (a prescription product or dietary supplement) Improvement of chronic low-back pain and disability in degenerative lumbar osteoarthritis
F 18 Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol, a fat-soluble vitamin sold nonprescription and as a supplement) Improved pain and function and reduced cartilage loss in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis
F 18 Intra-articular sodium hyaluronate (intra-articular hyaluronic acid viscosupplementation procedure) Clinically meaningful improvement in knee osteoarthritis pain and function
F 15 Epidural steroid injection (spinal procedure commonly combined with local anesthetic) Relieving leg pain and disability from lumbar spinal stenosis
F 12 Acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol) Sustained pain and function improvement in knee or hip osteoarthritis
F 12 Lateral-wedge insole (a nonmedical corrective shoe insert) Improvement in pain, stiffness, and walking function in medial knee osteoarthritis
F 12 Cervical collar for immobilization after whiplash injury Prevention of neck pain and disability after acute whiplash
F 12 Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS, fracture-healing medical device) Acceleration of fracture union and functional recovery
F 12 Corticosteroid injection (local prescription injection such as peri-epicondylar triamcinolone) Improved sustained one-year recovery and prevention of recurrence in lateral epicondylalgia
F 10 Copper bracelet (skin-worn device) Relief of pain and inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
F 10 Static magnetic bracelet (magnetic health bracelet) Improved pain, stiffness, and function in knee or hip osteoarthritis
F 10 Colchicine (microtubule-inhibiting prescription anti-inflammatory drug; marketed in Korea as Colkin) Treatment-level improvement in pain, stiffness, and physical function in knee osteoarthritis
F 10 Autologous platelet-rich plasma injection Recovery of pain and function in chronic midportion Achilles tendinopathy
F 10 Advice to use bed rest for acute sciatica Improved pain, function, and overall recovery
F 8 Transdermal testosterone gel (prescription androgen-replacement hormone) Prevention of clinical fractures in middle-aged and older men with low testosterone
F 8 Arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (orthopedic surgery) Improved pain, locking, and knee function in middle-aged adults with degenerative meniscal tears
F 8 Arthroscopic subacromial decompression (surgery including acromioplasty) Improved shoulder pain and disability attributed to impingement syndrome
F 7 Percutaneous vertebroplasty (prescription procedure injecting PMMA bone cement) Pain and functional improvement beyond sham for acute or subacute osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures
F 6 Hydroxychloroquine sulfate (a prescription 4-aminoquinoline immunomodulator; off-label for osteoarthritis) Improved pain and function in hand osteoarthritis
F 5 Vitamin D3, or cholecalciferol Prevention of falls in community-dwelling older adults without vitamin D deficiency
F 5 Arthroscopic lavage or debridement of the knee (invasive surgical procedure) Improvement in pain and function from knee osteoarthritis
? score not listed Achyranthes root Joints
? score not listed Strontium citrate Increased bone mineral density and fracture prevention
? score not listed Rhus toxicodendron 30C homeopathic product Relief of joint pain, stiffness, and weather-related muscle pain
? score not listed Sagol-guk or gomtang, a soup made by prolonged simmering of beef bones Reduced osteoarthritis pain and improved physical function