Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Healthcare providers sometimes refer to it as degenerative joint disease or OA.

Usually, the ends of bones in your joints are capped in a layer of cartilage. Cartilage is like a combined shock absorber and lubricant. It helps the bones in your joints move past each other smoothly and safely. If you have osteoarthritis, the cartilage in your affected joints wears away over time. Eventually, your bones rub against each other when you move your joints.

Osteoarthritis can develop in any of your joints, but it’s most common in:

• Hands and fingers
• Knees
• Hips
• Neck
• Lower back

Osteoarthritis is extremely common. Experts estimate that more than 8 in 10 adults over 55 have it.

Types of osteoarthritis

A healthcare provider might classify osteoarthritis as one of two types:

• Primary osteoarthritis: This is the most common form. It happens from the normal wear and tear of using your joints throughout your life.
• Secondary osteoarthritis: This happens when something (like an injury) damages your joints enough to cause osteoarthritis. Other types of arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis) can damage the cartilage in your joints and lead to osteoarthritis, too.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

The most common osteoarthritis symptoms include:

• Joint pain, especially when you’re moving
• Stiffness
• Swelling near a joint
• A decreased range of motion (how far you can move a joint)
• Feeling like a joint isn’t as strong or stable as usual
• A joint looking noticeably different than it used to (joint deformity)

Osteoarthritis causes

Primary osteoarthritis usually develops slowly over time as you age. Normal wear and tear on your joints as you get older can lead to cartilage breaking down.

Anything that directly damages your joints can cause secondary osteoarthritis. Examples include:

• Sports injuries
• Falls
• Car accidents
• Health conditions that affect your joints, such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or joint hypermobility syndrome

Having another type of arthritis can also lead to secondary osteoarthritis, especially if you have inflammatory arthritis. The inflammation can damage healthy cartilage in your joints and break it down over time.

You may develop osteoarthritis alongside:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Spondylarthritis

Risk factors

Anyone can develop osteoarthritis. You’re more likely to if you’re over 55 or in postmenopause.

You might have a higher risk if you have certain health conditions, including:

• Obesity or overweight
• Diabetes
• High cholesterol
• An autoimmune disease that affects your joints

How doctors diagnose osteoarthritis

A healthcare provider will diagnose osteoarthritis with a physical exam and imaging tests. They’ll look at your joints and ask you when you first noticed any symptoms. Tell your provider if any activities make the symptoms worse, or if they come and go.

Your healthcare provider might use X-rays to take pictures of your joints. They might also use an MRI or CT scan. You may need blood tests to rule out other conditions or issues that cause similar symptoms.

Osteoarthritis treatment

Your healthcare provider will find treatments that help relieve the symptoms you experience. There’s no cure for arthritis. And you can’t regrow the cartilage in your affected joints. But you should feel better when you find treatments that work for you.

The most common osteoarthritis treatments include:

• Medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers can help reduce pain and inflammation. Some medications you take by mouth. Your provider might also suggest creams, ointments or patches that you put on your skin near your affected joints.
• Exercise: Moving your joints can relieve stiffness and strengthen the muscles around them. Low-impact activities like swimming, water aerobics and weight training can all help. Your provider might recommend working with a physical therapist.
• Supportive devices: Wearing shoe inserts or a brace can support and stabilize your joints. Using a cane or walker can take pressure off your affected joints and help you move safely.
• Heat and cold therapies: Applying heat or cold to your affected joints might help relieve pain and stiffness. Your provider will tell you how often (and how long) you should apply a heating pad, ice packs or a cool compress.
• Complementary therapy: These may work alongside other treatment options. Examples of complementary medicine include acupuncture, massage, meditation, tai chi and dietary supplements. Talk to your provider before starting any herbal or dietary supplements.
• Surgery: Most people don’t need surgery to treat osteoarthritis. But your provider might recommend it if you have severe symptoms that other treatments can’t manage. You might need a joint replacement. Your provider or surgeon will tell you what to expect.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

Visit a healthcare provider as soon as you notice any osteoarthritis symptoms. Even minor joint pain can be a sign that you need treatment, especially if it doesn’t get better in a few days.

Talk to your provider if it feels like symptoms are getting worse or happening more often. Tell them if it feels like your treatments aren’t as effective as they used to be. They might be able to tweak your treatment plan. They may suggest different ways to manage pain and swelling.

What can I expect if I have osteoarthritis?

You’ll likely need to manage the symptoms for the rest of your life. There’s no way to replace the missing or damaged cartilage in your joints. But you should feel better once you find treatments that work for you.

If you have osteoarthritis, it’s important to stay as active as possible. If joint pain and other symptoms make it too hard for you to move, you may have an increased risk for other serious health conditions, like heart disease, diabetes and some types of cancer.

Talk to your healthcare provider if osteoarthritis makes it hard (or impossible) to stay active. They can recommend ways to modify your activities. That way, you can still do the things you want while staying safe and as pain-free as possible.

You might want to work with an occupational therapist if you need help performing your daily tasks. They can help you manage physical challenges from arthritis.

Can you prevent osteoarthritis?

You can’t always prevent osteoarthritis. But you can follow these tips to lower your risk and protect your joints:

• Avoid tobacco products or talk to your healthcare provider about quitting.
• Do low-impact exercise.
• Follow an eating plan that helps you get the right nutrition and maintain a weight that’s healthy for you.
• Always wear your seatbelt.
• Wear proper protective equipment for all physical activities, sports or work.
• Visit a healthcare provider for regular checkups and as soon as you notice any changes in your joints.