Highlights

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that typically affects joints in the knees, hip, hand, feet, and spine. It is the most common form of arthritis.

Risk Factors

• Older age. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in older adults.
• Women. Osteoarthritis occurs more often in women than in men, (although more men are affected when osteoarthritis occurs in people younger than age 45).
• Obesity. Being overweight increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
• Joint injuries. Sports injuries or occupational repetitive stress can lead to osteoarthritis.

Symptoms

Symptoms of osteoarthritis begin gradually and worsen slowly over time. Osteoarthritis pain is generally described as:

• Aching or stiffness
• Worsening during activity and improving when at rest
• Occurring intermittently
• Causing a grating sensation when the joint is moved
• Bony growths can occur on the margins of joints

Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis is usually diagnosed based on a physical exam and the results of x-rays. In some cases, the doctor may take a sample of synovial fluid from the joint.

Treatment

There is no cure for osteoarthritis but treatment can reduce pain and improve flexibility, joint movement, and quality of life. Treatment options include:

• Lifestyle modifications and non-drug approaches such as exercise, weight loss, and physical therapy
• Medications, which include mild pain relievers such as acetaminophen, corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronic acid injections
• Surgery may be considered for severe osteoarthritis that is not helped by other treatments

Review Date: 06/16/2010
Reviewed By: Reviewed by: Harvey Simon, MD, Editor-in-Chief, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Physician, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)