Overview
Osteoarthritis is a long-term joint condition that happens when cartilage and other parts of the joint change over time. Cartilage helps bones move smoothly against each other, and when the joint is affected, movement can become painful or stiff. Osteoarthritis can affect one joint or several joints, most commonly the knees, hips, hands, feet, and spine.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include joint pain during or after movement, stiffness after rest, and reduced range of motion. Some people notice swelling, a grating feeling, or cracking sounds when the joint moves. Symptoms may come and go, and they often worsen gradually.
Causes and Risk Factors
Osteoarthritis develops through a mix of aging, joint stress, past injury, and individual body factors. Risk may be higher with older age, excess body weight, repeated stress on a joint from work or sport, joint injury, and family history. Some people are also more likely to develop it if they have joint shape differences or certain metabolic or inflammatory conditions.
Who Is Affected
Osteoarthritis can affect adults of many ages, but it becomes more common as people get older. It is seen in people of all backgrounds worldwide. Anyone with a history of joint injury or long-term joint strain may develop it earlier.
Prevention
Not all cases can be prevented, but some steps may lower risk or slow worsening. These include staying physically active, protecting joints from injury, using good body mechanics during work and exercise, and managing body weight if needed. Early attention to joint pain after an injury may also help.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional usually diagnoses osteoarthritis by asking about symptoms, examining the joint, and looking at how it moves. X-rays may be used to look for joint changes, and other tests may help rule out different causes of joint pain. Blood tests do not diagnose osteoarthritis directly, but they may be used when another condition is suspected.
Treatment Categories
Treatment often combines self-care and medical support. Common approaches include exercise-based physical therapy, weight management when relevant, supportive devices such as braces or canes, and medicines recommended by a healthcare professional for pain or inflammation. In some cases, injections or joint surgery may be discussed if symptoms are severe and daily life is strongly affected.
Living With It
Many people live with osteoarthritis by balancing activity and rest and learning which movements help or worsen symptoms. Planning tasks, pacing physical activity, and using heat or cold can be useful for some people. Ongoing symptoms can affect sleep, mood, work, and independence, so regular follow-up can be important.
Diet and Lifestyle
Regular movement is one of the most important parts of managing osteoarthritis. Low-impact activities such as walking, cycling, water exercise, and strength training may support joint function and reduce stiffness. Eating a balanced diet and maintaining a body weight that reduces stress on painful joints can also help.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if joint pain, stiffness, or swelling lasts more than a few weeks, keeps returning, or affects daily activities. Also get medical advice if a joint becomes unstable, movement becomes more limited, or symptoms begin after an injury. Medical review is also important if you have joint symptoms together with fever, marked redness, or warmth, because another condition may be present.