What is Osteoarthritis?
Arthritis is a broad term that refers to inflammation in one or more of your joints. While there are over 100 different types of arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common, affecting an estimated 32.5 million adults in the United States.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the gradual, irreversible breakdown of the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones that make up your joints. As the cartilage breaks down, the bones begin to rub directly against each other, leading to inflammation, pain, swelling, stiffness, and decreased range of motion.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
While the exact cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood, several risk factors are known to contribute to its development. These include:
Genetics: If your parents or other blood relatives have osteoarthritis, you may be more likely to develop the condition.
Increasing age: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that worsens over time. The risk of developing OA increases with age.
Injury or overuse: Trauma to a joint or repetitive strain on a joint can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
Female gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis than men, especially after menopause.
Obesity: Excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints like the hips, knees, and ankles, increasing the risk of OA.
Osteoarthritis in another joint: If you have OA in one joint, you may be more likely to develop it in another joint.
Diagnosis
Diagnosing osteoarthritis typically involves a combination of the following:
Medical history: Your healthcare provider will ask questions about your symptoms, such as the location and severity of your pain, stiffness, and swelling, as well as any factors that make your symptoms better or worse.
Physical exam: Your provider will perform a joint specific exam to look for signs of osteoarthritis, such as limited range of motion and swelling while also ruling out other causes for your pain.
Imaging tests: X-rays are often used to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. X-rays can show signs of the breakdown of cartilage and the presence of osteophytes (bone spurs).
Treatment
While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many effective ways to manage the symptoms and even slow the progression of the disease. Here are some common treatment options:
Exercise: Low impact activities such as walking, biking and swimming are great options for those with arthritis. Continued movement helps promote joint health while also providing general health benefits such as decreasing the risk of heart disease and aiding in weight management.
Weight loss: If you are overweight or obese, losing weight helps to reduce the pressure placed on weight bearing joints such as your knees, hips and ankles.
Physical Therapy: A licensed physical therapist can guide you on exercises to improve flexibility, strength, and range of motion of your joints. They can also provide advice on proper body mechanics to reduce strain on your joints.
Medications: Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen as well as topical and oral anti-inflammatories are great options for symptom management. Your provider may recommend prescription medications if these do not provide you appropriate relief.
Injections: There are various types of injections available for osteoarthritis. If you are interested in pursuing injections, an orthopedic specialist can discuss these with you and typically perform in office that same day.
Assistive devices: Canes, crutches and walkers help with offloading pressure from the joints but also provide stability for those that feel unsteady.
Surgery: If your symptoms are severe and other treatments haven't provided relief, surgery may be an option. The most common surgical procedure for osteoarthritis is joint replacement, in which the damaged joint is replaced with a prosthesis by a specially trained orthopedic surgeon.
It's important to work closely with your healthcare provider to find the right combination of treatments for your osteoarthritis. With proper management, many people with OA are able to control their symptoms and lead active, fulfilling lives.
Written by Jenni Kollker, FNP-C Assessed and Endorsed by the MedReport Medical Review Board