Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes joint pain and stiffness.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain and stiffness, and difficulty moving the joints.

Some people also experience the following symptoms:

  • Swelling
  • Tenderness
  • Creaking or crackling noises when moving the affected joint

The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary from person to person and also from different joints affected. In some people, symptoms can be mild and come and go. Others may have longer-lasting and more severe problems that make it difficult for them to carry out everyday activities. Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most commonly causes problems with the small joints in the knees, hips, and hands.

 

Causes of Osteoarthritis

Your joints are under constant low load. In most cases, your body repairs the damage on its own and you have no symptoms. But with osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage at the end of the bone breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint. Bone growths may develop, and the area may become red and swollen.

Several things are thought to increase the risk of osteoarthritis, including:

  • Joint damage – when a joint is overused after an injury or surgery without enough time to heal
  • Secondary arthritis – Osteoarthritis can occur in joints that have been severely damaged by another disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
  • Age – as you get older, your risk of developing this disease increases
  • Family History – Osteoarthritis can run in families
  • Obesity – Obesity can put undue stress on your joints, especially your knees and hips
  • Being female – Osteoarthritis is more common in women than in men

 

Diagnosing Osteoarthritis

To find out if you have osteoarthritis, a GP will first ask about your symptoms and examine your joints.

A family doctor may suspect osteoarthritis if:

  • You are 45 years of age or older
  • Your joint pain gets worse the more you use your joint
  • No joint stiffness in the morning or lasts less than 30 minutes

If your symptoms are slightly different, it may indicate a different joint condition. For example, persistent joint stiffness in the morning could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. Further tests such as x-rays or blood tests are usually not necessary but may be used to rule out other possible causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis or a broken bone.