What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA or osteoarthrosis) is the most common form of arthritis and affects over 32 million adults in the US. It can develop in any joint but often affects the hands, feet, hips, knees, lower back and neck.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, which means it gradually gets worse over time. It is usually caused by wear and tear, but can also occur if the joint is injured. Although there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, its symptoms can be managed by treatments, medications and lifestyle changes.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
Osteoarthritis symptoms can vary from person to person, but most people experience discomfort, swelling and stiffness in the affected joint. These symptoms usually get worse slowly over time, rather than happening suddenly. Other common symptoms include:
- A dull ache that develops over time
- A joint that appears abnormally large or has changed shape
- A joint that feels loose or unstable
- Crepitus (a grinding, clicking or popping in the joint)
- Joint tenderness or swelling
- Pain that develops after intense activity and movement
- Reduced range of motion that improves with use
- Stiffness or pain early in the morning or after you’ve been inactive
- Weakness in the muscles around your joint, which usually develops the less you move
When to see a doctor
Talk to an orthopedic specialist if joint pain, stiffness and swelling interfere with your daily activities and do not go away with over-the-counter medications. Left untreated, arthritis can reduce your desire to be active, which can lead to weight gain and other chronic conditions, including diabetes and heart disease. Although there is no cure, your doctor can recommend many treatments to help you manage symptoms and regain your active life.
What causes osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis used to be called wear-and-tear arthritis because it was thought that age-related wear caused the tissues to break down. However, researchers are learning that the causes are more complex.
A few different factors cause osteoarthritis. Stress and joint mechanics, sometimes combined with injuries or other conditions, cause inflammation that leads to gradual destruction of the cartilage, tendons, ligaments and synovium (a membrane that lines your joints).
As these tissues wear down, thickening occurs at the bone ends, bony growths known as bone spurs can develop, and the once-smooth surface that allowed your joint to move easily becomes rough. Bone and cartilage fragments may float within the joint space, and fluid-filled cysts can form in the bone. Over time, you have a harder time moving your joints.
Possible complications
Osteoarthritis can lead to additional health complications beyond the condition itself, including pain and reduced mobility:
- Obesity, diabetes and heart disease: Painful joints from OA can limit physical activity, leading to weight gain and increasing the risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and high blood pressure. Staying active is essential to managing OA symptoms and preventing these complications.
- Falls and fractures: Osteoarthritis weakens muscles, reduces joint function and affects balance, especially in the knees and hips, increasing fall risk by up to 30% and fracture risk by 20%.
Managing symptoms through exercise, fall prevention strategies and careful medication use can help reduce these risks.
