system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 63-year-old woman presents to her physician with hip pain. She has had pain in both hips for almost 5 years, and it has progressed over time. She notes that it gets worse as the day goes on, making it difficult for her to walk her small dog in the evening. She has a little morning stiffness which subsides quickly after she starts to walk. In the last week, her pain became worse. The past medical history includes hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and mild hypothyroidism. She takes captopril, atorvastatin, and levothyroxine. She has also been taking acetaminophen almost every day with a dose increase up to 4,000 mg, but there is no significant decrease in pain. Both of her parents died in their 80's. The blood pressure is 135/85 mm Hg, heart rate is 74/min, respiratory rate is 12/min, and the temperature is 37.0°C (98.6°F). The BMI is 35 kg/m2. On physical examination, the leg strength is normal bilaterally. The neurological exam of both upper and lower extremities is normal. Her gait is difficult to assess due to pain. A radiograph of her left hip joint is shown in the image below. Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for the patient’s condition?
assistant
Switching acetaminophen to meloxicam