Osteoarthritis (OA), also called osteoarthroses or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition characterized by the breakdown of the joint’s cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement of joints. The breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint.

 

Impact of Osteoarthritis:

  • Osteoarthritis typically affects only certain joints, such as the hips, hands, knees, low back and neck.
  • After age 50, women are more often affected by Osteoarthritis than men.
  • Symptoms of Osteoarthritis typically first begin after age 40 and progress slowly.
  • Loss of joint function as a result of Osteoarthritis is a major cause of work disability and reduced quality of life.

 

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

  • Pain or stiffness in joints after periods of inactivity or excessive use
  • Grating or “catching” sensation during joint movement
  • Bony growths at the margins of affected joints

 

Causes of Osteoarthritis:

The cause of Osteoarthritis is not yet known, but certain factors increase the risk of developing Osteoarthritis

    o Heredity
    o Overweight
    o Joint injury
    o Repeated overuse of certain joints
    o Lack of physical activity
    o Nerve injury
    o Aging

 

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis:

  • The diagnosis of Osteoarthritis is typically based on a medical history and physical examination.
  • Doctors sometimes recommend that patients have X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other causes of pain and to determine how much joint damage has occurred.
  • Joint aspiration, a procedure in which fluid is drained from the affected joints and examined, and blood tests also may be used to rule out other forms of arthritis in the body.

 

Read more: Management of Osteoarthritis