<h3>What is osteoarthritis?</h3> <p>Osteoarthritis, sometimes called OA, is a type of <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/arthritis.html">arthritis</a> that only affects the joints, usually in the hands, knees, hips, neck, and lower back. It's the most common type of arthritis.</p> <p>In a healthy joint, the ends of the bones are covered with a smooth, slippery tissue called cartilage. The cartilage pads the bones and helps them glide easily when you move the joint. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage breaks down and becomes rough. Sometimes, all the cartilage wears away and the bones rub together. Bumps of extra bone called bone spurs may grow in the joint area.</p> <p>There is no cure for osteoarthritis. It usually gets worse slowly. But there's a lot you can do to manage the symptoms.</p> <h3>What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?</h3> <p>Osteoarthritis affects people in different ways, and not everyone has pain. The most common symptoms are:</p> <ul> <li>Pain when you move, which often gets better with rest</li> <li>Stiffness, especially for the first 30 minutes after you get up from resting</li> <li>Swollen joints, especially after using the joint a lot</li> <li>Less movement in the joint than normal</li> <li>A joint that feels loose or unstable</li> </ul> <h3>What causes osteoarthritis?</h3> <p>Researchers aren't sure what causes osteoarthritis. They think that it could be caused by a combination of factors in the body and the environment. Your chance of developing osteoarthritis increases with age. They also know that some people are more likely to develop it than others.</p> <h3>Who is more likely to develop osteoarthritis?</h3> <p>Things that make you more likely to develop osteoarthritis include:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Aging.</strong> Osteoarthritis can happen at any age, but the chance of getting it increases in middle-aged adults and older. After age 50, it is more common in women than in men.</li> <li><strong>Being overweight.</strong> Extra weight puts more stress on your joints.</li> <li><strong>Having a past injury or surgery on a joint.</strong> This is often the cause of osteoarthritis in younger adults.</li> <li><strong>Doing a lot of activities that overuse the joint.</strong> This includes sports with a lot of jumping, twisting, running, or throwing.</li> <li><strong>Having a joint that doesn't line up correctly.</strong></li> <li><strong>A family history of osteoarthritis.</strong> Some people <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/condition/osteoarthritis/">inherit genetic changes</a> that increase their chance of developing osteoarthritis.</li> </ul> <h3>How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?</h3> <p>There is no specific test for osteoarthritis. To find out if you have osteoarthritis, your provider:</p> <ul> <li>Will ask about your symptoms and medical history</li> <li>Will do a physical exam</li> <li>May use <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/xrays.html">x-rays</a> or other <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/diagnosticimaging.html">imaging tests</a> to look at your joints</li> <li>May order lab tests to make sure that a different problem isn't causing your symptoms</li> </ul> <h3>What are the treatments for osteoarthritis?</h3> <p>The goal of treating osteoarthritis is to ease your pain, help you move better, and stop it from getting worse.</p> <p>Treatment usually begins with:</p> <ul> <li>Exercises to improve strength, flexibility and balance</li> <li>Weight loss, if needed, to improve pain, especially in your hips or knees</li> <li>Braces or shoe inserts (orthotics) that a health care provider fits for you</li> </ul> <p>You can buy some <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/painrelievers.html">pain relievers</a> and arthritis creams without a prescription. They can be helpful, but it's best to talk to your provider about using them. If they don't help enough, your provider may prescribe injections (shots) into the joint or prescription pain relievers.</p> <p><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/complementaryandintegrativemedicine.html">Complementary therapies</a> may help some people. Massage can increase blood flow and bring warmth to the area. Some research shows that <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/acupuncture.html">acupuncture</a> may help relieve osteoarthritis pain. Simple things like heat and ice can help, too.</p> <p>If none of these treatments help enough, surgery may be an option. You and your provider can decide if it's right for you.</p> <p class="">NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases</p>

Osteoarthritis is a common disease of the joints that primarily occurs in older adults. This condition is characterized by the breakdown of cartilage, the tough but flexible tissue that covers the ends of the bones at the joints and allows smooth joint movements. One or more parts of the body can be affected, most often the hands, shoulders, spine, knees, or hips.~Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly, causing pain, stiffness, and restricted movement as the condition gets worse. Areas of bone no longer cushioned by cartilage rub against each other and start to break down. Further damage is caused as the body attempts to repair and rebuild these tissues. The immune system, which plays a role in healing injuries, targets these areas, and its response leads to inflammation of the joint tissues. Abnormal growths of bone (osteophytes) and other tissue can also occur, and may be visible as enlarged joints. Enlargement of the joints of the fingers is especially noticeable.~People with osteoarthritis typically experience stiffness following periods of inactivity such as upon awakening or rising from a chair; the stiffness usually improves as they move around. In some affected individuals, the condition never causes major problems. In others, severe osteoarthritis can impair mobility and the ability to perform daily tasks, affecting quality of life and increasing the risk of other health conditions such as cardiovascular disease.~Osteoarthritis is most common in middle age or late adulthood, because the cartilage at the joints naturally begins to thin as people age. However, it can occur earlier in life, especially after injuries affecting the joints such as a type of knee injury called an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. People who are overweight or whose activities are particularly stressful to the joints are also at increased risk of developing osteoarthritis.