If you’re living with osteoarthritis, joint pain and stiffness can complicate your life. But you are far from alone. It is the most common type of arthritis. It affects 32.5 million adults in the United States.

Here’s what you should understand about this common condition.

What is osteoarthritis?

It’s a joint disease. It causes joint tissues to break down over time. This leads to pain, stiffness and limited mobility. Commonly affected joints include the hands, knees, hips, neck and lower back. It mostly affects older adults but can happen in younger people too.

Risk factors

Several factors contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. Women, especially those over 50, are more at risk than men. Other risk factors include:

• Aging.
• Injuries.
• Overuse.
• Obesity.
• Family history of osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Everyone experiences this condition a little differently. Some people have only mild pain and stiffness, and it doesn’t disrupt their lives. Other people have more severe symptoms.

Osteoarthritis symptoms can be subtle at first, and they can worsen over time.

Symptoms to look for include:

• Joint pain during or after movement.
• Stiffness, especially in the morning or after inactivity.
• Swelling in the joint, especially after prolonged use.
• Reduced range of motion and flexibility in the joint.
• A grinding noise when using the joint.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing osteoarthritis involves a review of your medical history, an exam and various other tests. Your health care provider will ask you about any past injuries and family history. During the physical examination, you’ll be checked for joint tenderness, swelling and range of motion.

X-rays and MRIs can show joint damage and bone structure changes. Other lab tests, including blood tests and joint fluid analysis, might be run to rule out other conditions that cause similar symptoms.

Treatments

While there is no cure, effective treatments can help manage symptoms.

Nonsurgical treatments include:

• Losing weight.
• Switching to low-impact exercise.
• Physical therapy.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers.
• Canes, braces or shoe inserts.

Sometimes nonsurgical treatments don’t help enough. If that’s the case, talk to your provider about surgical options, such as joint replacement.

Get relief

Osteoarthritis can be a challenging condition. But with the right care, you can enjoy an excellent quality of life. If you have questions about bone and joint health, make an appointment with one of our providers by visiting our Orthopedic physician directory.

Sources: Arthritis Foundation; National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases