Knowles Lecture

44th Annual Knowles Lecture
Thursday, April 15, 2010 - 6:00-8:30 p.m. 
Concordia-Argonaut Club, San Francisco

Nonsurgical Treatments of Osteoarthritis:
Past and Current Frustration, Future Promise?
David Felson, MD, MPH
Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology
Boston University School of Medicine

Keynote Speaker                                

There are currently no approved treatments that prevent osteoarthritis progression.  The structural changes that occur gradually in joints with osteoarthritis including changes in bone shape and transarticular misalignment make it unlikely that cartilage protection will be effective. Further, despite imaging advances cartilage loss may not be easily quantifiable, and lastly cartilage has no pain fibers suggesting that protecting cartilage may not relieve pain.  If not cartilage, what structures in the joint might be targeted in osteoarthritis treatment? Since bone changes occur early, are reversible and are associated with pain, bone might be a good target as might synovium where inflammation generates joint damage and pain.  Pain in osteoarthritis may often be dysfunctional and dysfunctional pain may also be directly treatable.

Upon completion of this course, participants should have improved skills and strategies to competently:

1.  Identify risk factors in both the development and progression of arthritis, and
2.  Increase awareness of chondroprotection and of cartilage regeneration efforts for improved patient care outcomes.

This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the essential areas and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint sponsorship of the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine (UCSF) and the Arthritis Foundation, Northern California Chapter.  UCSF is accredited by the ACCME to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

UCSF designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.25 AMA PRA Category 1 CreditsTM.  Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

The Knowles Lecture will be held at the Concordia-Argonaut Club, 1142 Van Ness Avenue in San Francisco.  Pre-paid reservations are required.  Reception, dinner and lecture $100 per person + $25 additional fee for CME credit.

Contact Mary Arnold at marnold@arthritis.org or call 800-464-6240 with questions.

Jointly sponsored by