What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects cartilage. Cartilage is the
slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage allows
bones to glide over each other. It also helps absorb the shock of movement. In
osteoarthritis, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows
bones under the cartilage to rub together. The rubbing causes pain, swelling, and
loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also,
bone spurs may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break
off and float inside the joint space, which causes more pain and damage.

Who Gets Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis occurs most often in older people. Younger people sometimes get

osteoarthritis, primarily from joint injuries.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis usually happens gradually over time. Some risk factors that might

lead to it include:

 Being overweight.

 Getting older.

 Joint injury.

 Joints that are not properly formed.

 A genetic defect in joint cartilage.

 Stresses on the joints from certain jobs and playing sports.

How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. It occurs most often in the hands, knees, hips,

and spine.

Warning signs of osteoarthritis are:

 Stiffness in a joint after getting out of bed or sitting for a long time.

 Swelling or tenderness in one or more joints.

 A crunching feeling or the sound of bone rubbing on bone.

No single test can diagnose osteoarthritis. Most doctors use several methods to diagnose the

disease and rule out other problems:

 Medical history.

 Physical exam.

 X rays.

 Other tests such as blood tests or exams of the fluid in the joints.

How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?

Doctors often combine treatments to fit a patient's needs, lifestyle, and health. Osteoarthritis

treatment has four main goals:

 Improve joint function.

 Keep a healthy body weight.

 Control pain.

 Achieve a healthy lifestyle.

Osteoarthritis treatment plans can involve:

 Exercise.

 Weight control.

 Rest and joint care.

 Nondrug pain relief techniques to control pain.

 Medicines.

 Complementary and alternative therapies.

 Surgery.