Osteoarthritis Overview: Symptoms, Risk Factors, and Treatment Options

Osteoarthritis: Understanding the Most Common Form of Degenerative Joint Disease

Osteoarthritis (OA), also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million adults in the United States alone. It is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the many tissues of the joint, including the cartilage, bone, ligaments, fat, and synovium.

Causes

OA can be caused by several factors:

1. Age: The risk of developing OA increases with age, and symptoms generally appear in people over 50.
2. Joint injury: A bone fracture or cartilage or ligament tear can lead to OA, sometimes more quickly than in cases where there is not an obvious injury.
3. Overuse: Using the same joints over and over in a job or sport can result in OA.
4. Obesity: Excess weight adds stress and pressure on a joint, plus fats cells promote inflammation.
5. Musculoskeletal abnormalities: Malalignment of bone or joint structures can contribute to faster development of OA.
6. Weak muscles: If muscles don’t provide adequate joint support, poor alignment can result, which can lead to OA.
7. Genetics: People with family members who have OA are more likely to develop it.
8. Gender: Women are more likely to develop OA than men, especially after age 50.

Symptoms

Symptoms of OA tend to build over time and include:

• Pain or aching in a joint during activity, after long activity, or at the end of the day.
• Joint stiffness that occurs first thing in the morning or after resting.
• Limited range of motion that may go away after movement.
• Clicking or popping sound when a joint bends.
• Swelling around a joint.
• Muscle weakness around the joint.
• Joint instability or buckling (as when a knee gives out).

The signs and symptoms of OA can vary depending on the affected joint:

• Hips: Pain in the groin area or buttocks and sometimes on the inside of the knee or thigh.
• Knees: A “grating” or “scraping” feeling when moving the knee.
• Fingers: Bony growths (spurs) at the edge of joints can cause fingers to become swollen, tender, and red, sometimes with pain at the base of the thumb.
• Feet: Pain and tenderness in the big toe, with possible swelling in the ankles or toes.

Risk Factors

There are several risk factors for OA:

• Joint injury or overuse: Injury or overuse, such as knee bending and repetitive stress on a joint, can damage a joint and increase the risk of OA in that joint.
• Age: The risk of developing OA increases with age.
• Sex: Women are more likely to develop OA than men, especially after age 50.
• Obesity: Extra weight puts more stress on joints, particularly weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees.
• Genetics: People who have family members with OA are more likely to develop OA.
• Osteoarthritis in another body location: People who have hand OA are more likely to develop knee OA.
• Race: Some Asian populations have a lower risk for OA.

Treatment Options

There is no cure for OA, but there are ways to manage OA to minimize pain, continue physical activities, maintain a good quality of life, and remain mobile:

• Increasing physical activity: Regular exercise can improve strength and flexibility.
• Physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises: This can help improve joint function and reduce pain.
• Weight loss: Losing weight reduces pressure on joints, particularly weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees.
• Medications: Over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs can help manage pain and inflammation.
• Supportive devices: Crutches or canes can help reduce stress on joints.
• Surgery: Joint replacement may be an option if other treatments have not been effective.

Diagnosis

A doctor diagnoses OA through a review of symptoms, physical examination, X-rays, and lab tests. A rheumatologist, a doctor who specializes in arthritis and other related conditions, can help if there are any questions about the diagnosis.

Learn about osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of adults. Understand the causes, symptoms, risk factors, and treatment options available to manage this degenerative joint disease.