Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million adults in the United States.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million adults in the United States. It’s a degenerative joint disease and a musculoskeletal condition characterized by the breakdown of cartilage that cushions the ends of bones within a joint.
Osteoarthritis is also called “wear-and-tear arthritis” since it’s often associated with aging and damage caused by repetitive injuries and daily movements over many years. Some of the most common places it develops include the:
Knees
Hips
Spine
Hands
Symptoms of osteoarthritis tend to get worse over time as joint damage increases. A combination of home remedies, medications, and medical procedures can help improve patients’ quality of life and their ability to perform daily activities.
Read on to learn more about osteoarthritis, including why it develops, typical symptoms, and potential treatments.
Osteoarthritis is one of many types of arthritis. Arthritis is a group of more than 100 conditions that cause pain and joint problems.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Other common types include:
Rheumatoid arthritis
Psoriatic arthritis
Gout or gouty arthritis
Unlike many other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis isn’t primarily inflammatory. It’s considered a “wear-and-tear” condition. Inflammatory types of arthritis are caused by an immune system overreaction that leads to joint damage.
Osteoarthritis, osteopenia, and osteoporosis all have similar names, but they’re distinct conditions. Here’s the basics of each:
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis caused by the wear and tear of joints over many years.
Osteopenia is reduced bone density caused by the loss of minerals within bones.
Osteoporosis is a more severe loss of bone mineral density that puts patients at risk for fractures.
Osteoarthritis may not cause noticeable symptoms in the beginning when joint damage is still relatively minor. Symptoms might continue to worsen over time as joint damage gets more severe.
Some of the most common osteoarthritis symptoms include:
Joint pain. Joint pain is the hallmark symptom of osteoarthritis. It usually worsens with physical activity and improves with rest. Your pain might be constant or come and go.
Joint stiffness. Joint stiffness is often especially noticeable in the morning or after long periods of inactivity.
Loss of range of motion. Over time, your body may produce new bone tissue in your joint that can limit its range of motion.
Swelling and tenderness. Your affected joint may become swollen and tender to the touch.
Joint sounds (crepitus). Crepitus is a grating sensation or crackling sound released from your joint.
Bony growths (bone spurs). Bone spurs can develop around affected joints and cause visible bumps.
In severe cases, you might experience a significant decline in your ability to perform daily activities like walking, climbing stairs, or gripping objects with your hands.
You may experience symptoms in just one joint or more than one joint. Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint, but the most common are:
Knees
Hip joints
Small joints in the hands
Keep reading to learn about the causes of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage at the ends of long bones over years of wear and tear.
Many factors can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, including:
Joint injury. Traumatic injury to a joint can lead to damage that triggers osteoarthritis. Even minor injuries may contribute to a joint wearing down over many years.
Overuse. Repetitive movements or prolonged stress on a joint can lead to its degeneration. For example, osteoarthritis of the hip or knee often happens to people who do heavy lifting or prolonged standing for work.
Misaligned bones. Having biomechanical abnormalities that cause misalignment of a joint can also contribute.
Aging. The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases with age, as your joints naturally deteriorate over time.
Genetics. Your family history plays a role in predisposing you to osteoarthritis. Some folks may inherit genes that make them more susceptible to cartilage breakdown.
Obesity. Excess body weight puts added stress on weight-bearing joints, especially the knees, hips, and spine. Over time, this increased weight can accelerate cartilage wear-down and joint damage.
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are two common types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is caused by the wear and tear of cartilage over many years. Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune reaction where the immune system attacks healthy cells in the joints.
Some risk factors for osteoarthritis include increasing age, joint injury, and a family history of the condition.
Certain risk factors increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. These include:
Age. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age. Most people with osteoarthritis symptoms are over 50.
Biological sex. Women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis, especially after menopause.
Joint injury. Previous injuries or surgeries, particularly to the knees or hips, raise your risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Overuse of joints. Repetitive motions, sports activity, or jobs that require heavy lifting can put repetitive stress on joints that contributes to osteoarthritis.
Obesity. Carrying excess body weight stresses weight-bearing joints (like the knees and hips) and increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Genetics. A family history of osteoarthritis can predispose you to develop the disease earlier or experience it more severely. Over 100 gene variations have been associated with the development of osteoarthritis.
Muscle weakness. Weak muscles can potentially put more stress on joints and ligaments and contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis tends to develop primarily in older adults, but younger individuals can also develop osteoarthritis, especially after sustaining a joint injury.
Athletes may be at particular risk of developing osteoarthritis at a young age.
Getting an early diagnosis of osteoarthritis is essential for managing symptoms and preventing further joint damage.
An osteoarthritis diagnosis often starts by visiting a primary healthcare provider. They usually start the diagnostic process by:
Reviewing your personal medical history
Looking at your family medical history
Asking about your symptoms
Performing a physical exam
During a physical exam, your provider may:
Have you do certain movements to see if they cause pain
Move your joint through a range of motion to see if it causes discomfort or if you have a limited range of motion
Press on certain parts of your joints to test for pain
Your healthcare provider might suggest additional testing or refer you to a specialist called a rheumatologist if they suspect you may have osteoarthritis or another condition that causes joint problems.
Additional tests you may receive include:
X-ray. X-rays are a common type of imaging used to assess joint damage. They can reveal joint space narrowing (when joints move closer together), bone spurs, and cartilage loss.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI uses a strong magnetic field to produce a highly detailed image of your joint. It’s generally reserved for complex cases.
Blood test. While there’s no specific blood test for osteoarthritis, certain tests may be performed to rule out other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint fluid analysis. Joint fluid analysis involves removing a small amount of fluid inside your joint with a needle to test for other causes of joint pain, such as gout or infectious arthritis.
Many forms of arthritis can cause similar symptoms, and it can be hard to differentiate these types of arthritis. But tests, such as joint fluid analysis or blood tests, can help medical providers see certain markers that point to some kids of arthritis more than others.
Osteoarthritis doesn’t have a cure, but various treatment options can help:
Reduce pain
Improve your joint function
Slow a joint’s degeneration
Find out more about how this medical condition is treated below.
Treatment for osteoarthritis includes a combination of:
Lifestyle changes and home remedies
Medications
Surgery
Keep reading for details.
Home remedies and lifestyle changes you can make for treating osteoarthritis include:
Weight loss. If you have overweight or obesity, losing excess weight can help relieve pressure on weight-bearing joints like your knees and hips. This may help slow the progression of your condition or even relieve it.
Regular physical activity. Doing low-impact aerobic exercises, like walking, cycling, or swimming, can potentially improve joint mobility and strengthen surrounding muscles.
Physical therapy. Many people find working with a physiotherapist helpful for improving their joint function and range of motion.
Assistive devices. Using assistive devices, such as canes, walkers, or braces, can help reduce strain on affected joints.
Heat and cold. Applying heat to the affected joint can potentially help reduce stiffness. Applying an ice pack or another source of cold can help reduce pain and swelling.
Medications that can help reduce osteoarthritis symptoms include:
Acetaminophen (Tylenol®). Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen can often help manage mild to moderate pain. But exceeding the recommended dose can lead to liver damage.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Ibuprofen, naproxen, and other NSAIDs can help reduce pain and inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. While often effective, they come with some risks, such as stomach ulcers or kidney damage.
Duloxetine (Cymbalta®). Duloxetine is an antidepressant, but it’s also sometimes used to treat chronic pain like osteoarthritis pain.
Topical treatments. Topical creams and gels containing NSAIDs or other ingredients like capsaicin can potentially provide joint pain relief while helping reduce the side effects of oral medications.
Corticosteroids. Corticosteroid injections can offer temporary pain relief for more severe cases of osteoarthritis. It’s often recommended not to exceed four injections a year.
Your healthcare provider may recommend surgery for severe cases of osteoarthritis that don’t respond to more conservative treatments — that is, home remedies and medications. Surgery can dramatically improve the quality of life for some folks with end-stage osteoarthritis.
Some surgical options for osteoarthritis include:
Joint replacement surgery (arthroplasty). Joint replacement surgery involves replacing all or part of a joint with an artificial one. The joint may be made from various materials like metals, plastics, and ceramics.
Joint fusion. Joint fusion involves permanently fusing a joint. This helps improve the stability of the affected joint, but it can cause biomechanical issues.
Osteotomy. An osteotomy involves cutting and removing some bone to realign a joint. Sometimes, realigning bones through this procedure might delay the need for joint replacement by redistributing weight across the joint.
There’s no cure for osteoarthritis, but early treatment and taking steps to manage joint health can help you manage your symptoms.
While osteoarthritis can’t always be prevented, certain lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing the condition or delay its onset. These include:
Maintaining a healthy weight
Exercising regularly
Eating a balanced diet with plenty of vitamin D and calcium
Managing other health conditions like rheumatoid arthritis
Quitting or avoiding smoking
If you’re at risk for developing osteoarthritis or are experiencing any of the symptoms, get in touch with a medical provider.
And if you need support with weight loss, see what options are available on our telehealth platform.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. The information contained herein is not a substitute for and should never be relied upon for professional medical advice. Always talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of any treatment. Learn more about our editorial standards here.