LIVING WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS AND UNSURE WHAT TO DO NEXT?

Build the confidence and knowledge to keep doing what you love.

Understand your knee arthritis, feel more capable of managing it, and explore ways to make movement more enjoyable in your life.

Rethink OA is a self-paced online learning program featuring expert videos and guided reflections, developed through research at Stanford University.

Get the Full Program — $59

4 guided modules · About 2 hours of learning · Unlimited access

You want to keep saying yes to the things that matter.

A walk with a friend. An afternoon with your grandchildren. A trip you've been looking forward to.

When your knee hurts, those plans can come with questions:

Will this make things worse? Will I pay for it tomorrow? What can I actually do to help myself?

You may have been told to “keep moving” without getting the explanation or reassurance you needed. And when you're unsure where to start, it's easy to feel stuck.

Rethink OA gives you a place to begin: understanding your knee arthritis and building confidence in managing it.

 

Discover a more approachable way to think about movement.

Being active can mean more than going to the gym or pushing through a workout you dread.

In Rethink OA, you'll explore why movement matters, how everyday activities can count, and what makes activity feel worthwhile to you.

Short videos explain the ideas. Guided reflections help you connect them to your own experiences, concerns, and goals.

Your pain is real. Learning more about osteoarthritis—and how your beliefs influence your approach to movement—can give you another tool for managing it.

Gain Full Access to the Program for Just $59

From People Who’ve Been Where You Are

“After being diagnosed with osteoarthritis last year at age 64, I was determined not to let it define me or my active lifestyle as a lifelong athlete. The education in Rethink OA reinforced what I needed to hear: smart, consistent movement, not fear, is the path forward. Today I'm back to swimming, cycling, Pilates, strength training, running slowly again, and happily keeping up with my new granddaughter, pain-free. For such an affordable investment, Rethink OA offers knowledge, confidence, and a practical roadmap that can truly change how you think about living with osteoarthritis.”
M
Marilou M.
65 years

“I thought surgery was my only option. Now, I am empowered to improve my situation.”

Study participant

“I realize that exercise will not further damage my joints, and by changing my mindset, I can exercise more and improve my strength.”

Study participant

“In six months I’ll drop you a line and say: guess what — no surgery, and I’m hiking up and down those hills.”

Rethink OA member

Inside the Program

Four modules. A clearer understanding of what’s possible.

Learn from experts and people living with osteoarthritis, then reflect on how each lesson fits your life.

1

Understanding Osteoarthritis

Make sense of what's happening in your knee. Explore common beliefs about osteoarthritis, pain, and joint damage so you can better understand your condition.

10–20 min
2

Move to Improve

Understand why movement is part of managing osteoarthritis and explore the concerns that can make it difficult to get started.

10–20 min
3

Enjoying Exercise

Explore a more enjoyable relationship with activity, without an all-or-nothing approach to exercise. Connect movement with the things you care about.

10–20 min
4

Mindsets Matter

Recognize how your beliefs about arthritis can influence your choices. Practice ways of thinking that support confidence and help you respond to setbacks.

20–30 min

About two hours of learning in total. Take one module at a time, pause whenever you like, and revisit any lesson when you need a reminder.

The Science Behind the Program

Tested the way OA care should be — in a randomized controlled trial

We tested Rethink OA against an education program and against no program at all, in 408 adults with knee osteoarthritis — and published the results in a peer-reviewed Nature Portfolio journal. One month later:

2 in 3
increased physical activity
An average gain of about 25%, one month after a program of less than 2 hours1
55%
overcame fear of movement
Among participants who began the program with high fear of movement2
44%
felt less need for surgery
One month later, across all participants3
★ 4.8 / 5 — would recommend to friends & family with OA Randomized controlled trial · N = 408 Published in  npj Digital Medicine (Nature Portfolio) Less than 2 hours, fully online

166% of Rethink OA participants increased physical activity (PASE); average gain +39 points (≈ +25%), significantly greater than no program (P = 0.001). 2Of participants with elevated fear of movement at baseline, 55% dropped below the elevated threshold at one month vs. 19% with no program. 344% reported less perceived need for surgery vs. 22% with no program; measures attitudes, not surgery rates. All outcomes self-reported at one-month follow-up. Boswell MA, et al. npj Digital Medicine 7, 285 (2024).

Read the published study

Meet the researcher behind Rethink OA

 Melissa Boswell, PhD, developed Rethink OA with a multidisciplinary team at Stanford University and input from people living with knee osteoarthritis.

The goal: help people understand their condition and feel more capable of taking an active role in managing it.

Is Rethink OA right for me?

Rethink OA is designed for people living with knee osteoarthritis who want to understand their condition, feel more confident about movement, and take a more active role in managing their symptoms.

You can start whether you already enjoy being active or find exercise daunting.

This is for you if:

  • You have knee osteoarthritis or ongoing knee pain and feel unsure what’s safe
  • You’ve been avoiding activities you love out of fear of making things worse
  • You’ve been told to “just keep moving” — but nobody explained how, or why it’s safe
  • You want an evidence-based starting point that feels hopeful and practical

It may not be the right fit if:

  • You’re looking for a diagnosis or a personalized medical treatment plan
  • You prefer hands-on care to a self-guided online program 

Rethink OA is educational and supportive. It complements — never replaces — care from your doctor, physical therapist, or healthcare team.

Start Moving with Confidence in Under 2 Hours

Recognized Evidence-Based Program

Osteoarthritis Action Alliance — Arthritis-Appropriate Evidence-Based Intervention (AAEBI) recognition badge

An Arthritis-Appropriate Evidence-Based Intervention

Rethink OA is recognized by the Osteoarthritis Action Alliance as an AAEBI — a designation based on criteria established by the CDC's Arthritis Program — meaning it's been independently reviewed and found safe, effective, and appropriate for people living with arthritis.

Common Questions

Honest answers, before you decide

Will this cure my osteoarthritis or make my pain disappear?
No — and we'd encourage caution with anything that promises that. Osteoarthritis is a manageable condition, not one with a quick cure. In our clinical trial, the clearest changes were in what people did and how they felt about moving: significantly more physical activity, less fear of movement, more confidence managing symptoms, and less perceived need for surgery. Pain itself? In the trial, 47% of participants reported less pain one month later — but the difference vs. no program wasn't statistically significant, so we won't promise pain relief. What we can say: many people find pain easier to live with once it stops feeling like a threat.
Is it safe for me to exercise if my knee is "bone on bone"?
For most people with knee osteoarthritis, appropriate physical activity is not only safe — it's recommended by every major clinical guideline, and it supports joint health, strength, and function. "Bone on bone" sounds frightening, but it describes an X-ray finding, not your destiny. The program walks you through what the evidence says, and we always recommend checking with your own clinician about your specific situation.
How much time does it take?
About two hours in total: four modules of 10–20 minutes of short films each, plus reflection questions. You go at your own pace and keep unlimited access, so you can revisit any module whenever you need a reset.
How is this different from reading about osteoarthritis online?
We actually tested that question. In our randomized controlled trial, one group received Rethink OA and another received a high-quality education program of the same length. The Rethink OA group improved significantly more in fear of movement, confidence managing symptoms, osteoarthritis knowledge, and perceived need for surgery. Understanding the facts helps — changing the lens you see them through helps more.
Does this replace my doctor or physical therapist?
No. Rethink OA is an educational program, not medical care, diagnosis, or a personalized treatment plan. It's designed to complement the care you're already receiving — many participants found it made them more engaged with tools like exercise and self-management.
Can I pay with my HSA or FSA?
The program may be eligible for HSA/FSA reimbursement with a Letter of Medical Necessity (LMN) from your healthcare provider. See details here.

Take the next step toward moving with more confidence.

The walks. The time with family. The activities that make life feel like yours.

Begin with a better understanding of your knee arthritis and a more confident approach to movement—at home, at your own pace.

The complete Rethink OA program · $59 once · Unlimited and instant access · 14-day money-back guarantee

Get the Full Program — $59