Definition
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Deep aching joint pain that gets worse after exercise or putting weight on it and is relieved by rest
- Grating of the joint with motion
- Joint pain in rainy weather
- Joint swelling
- Limited movement
- Morning stiffness
Some people might not have symptoms.
Keep reading...
Definition
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Deep aching joint pain that gets worse after exercise or putting weight on it and is relieved by rest
- Grating of the joint with motion
- Joint pain in rainy weather
- Joint swelling
- Limited movement
- Morning stiffness
Some people might not have symptoms.
Keep reading...
Causes
Most of the time, the cause of OA is unknown. It is mainly related to aging, but metabolic, genetic, chemical, and mechanical factors can also lead to OA.
The symptoms of osteoarthritis usually appear in middle age and almost everyone has them by age 70. Before age 55, the condition occurs equally in both sexes. However, after 55 it is more common in women.
The disease causes the cushioning (cartilage) between the bone joints to wear away, leading to pain and stiffness. As the disease gets worse, the cartilage disappears and the bone rubs on bone. Bony spurs usually form around the joint.
OA can be primary or secondary.
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Treatment
The goals of treatment are to relieve pain, maintain or improve joint movement, increase the strength of the joints, and reduce the disabling affects of the disease. The treatment depends on which joints are involved.
MEDICATIONS
The most common medications used to treat osteoarthritis are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). They are pain relievers that reduce pain and swelling. Types include aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen.
Although NSAIDs work well, long-term use of these drugs can cause stomach problems, such as ulcers and bleeding. Manufacturers of NSAIDs include a warning label on their products that alerts users to an increased risk for cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes) and gastrointestinal bleeding.
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Other Names
Hypertrophic osteoarthritis; Osteoarthrosis; Degenerative joint disease; DJD; OA; Arthritis - osteoarthritis
Possible Complications
- Decreased ability to walk
- Decreased ability to perform everyday activities, such as personal hygiene, household chores, or cooking
- Adverse reactions to drugs used for treatment
- Surgical complications
Keep reading...
Outlook (Prognosis)
Your movement may become very limited. Treatment generally improves function.
Prevention
Weight loss can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in overweight women.
Exams and Tests
A physical exam can show limited range of motion, grating of a joint with motion, joint swelling, and tenderness.
An x-ray of affected joints will show loss of the joint space, and in advanced cases, wearing down of the ends of the bone and bone spurs.
References
Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB, Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology , 7th ed. St. Louis, MO; W.B. Saunders; 2005.
US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Announces Series of Changes to the Class of Marketed Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) . Rockville, MD: National Press Office; April 7, 2005. Press Release P05-16.
US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Issues Public Health Advisory Recommending Limited Use of Cox-2 Inhibitors . Rockville, MD: National Press Office; December 23, 2004. Talk Paper T04-61.
