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Understanding osteoarthritis
Audience: patients-public, students-learners ยท Review state: published
What it is
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It develops when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones inside a joint gradually breaks down, so the joint moves less smoothly and can become painful and stiff.
It most often affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine, and becomes more common with age, though it is not simply an inevitable part of getting older.
Symptoms
The main symptoms are joint pain during or after movement, stiffness that is usually worst in the morning or after rest and eases within about half an hour, reduced flexibility, and a grating or crackling feeling with movement.
Symptoms usually develop slowly and can range from mild and occasional to pain that limits daily activities.
Causes and risk factors
Age is the strongest risk factor. Others include joint injury or overuse, obesity, which loads the knees and hips, family history, and being female. Jobs or sports that repeatedly stress a joint also raise the risk.
The exact process involves more than simple wear: the whole joint, including bone, cartilage, and surrounding tissue, is involved in a low-grade repair response that can get out of balance.
Treatment and living with it
There is no cure, but symptoms can usually be managed well. Staying active with low-impact exercise such as walking, swimming, or cycling keeps joints moving and muscles strong. Losing excess weight reduces the load on knees and hips.
Pain relief options include paracetamol and anti-inflammatory gels or tablets used as advised. Physiotherapy helps many people. For severe cases where the joint is badly damaged, joint replacement surgery can restore function and relieve pain.
Limitations
General educational overview, not medical advice and not a diagnosis. Joint pain has many causes, and treatment choices belong with a clinician.