Osteoarthritis: What It Is and How It Impacts Your Life

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder that develops when the cartilage — the smooth, flexible tissue that cushions your bones — begins to wear down over time. When this cartilage breaks down, bone rubs against bone, leading to pain, swelling, stiffness, and loss of flexibility in joints such as the knees, hips, hands, and spine.

Although there’s currently no cure for osteoarthritis, various treatments can help manage symptoms, improve mobility, and maintain quality of life. Your exact treatment plan depends on your age, overall health, and the severity of your condition.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that progresses slowly, often beginning with minor stiffness and evolving into persistent pain. Symptoms can vary but typically worsen over time.

Common symptoms include:

Joint pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
Morning stiffness that eases throughout the day
Swelling or a sensation of fluid buildup around the joint
Cracking, popping, or grinding sounds during movement
Visible changes in joint shape or size
Reduced mobility or flexibility
Muscle weakness near affected joints

The most commonly affected areas are the fingers, knees, hips, feet, and spine. Less frequently, osteoarthritis impacts the shoulders, elbows, and wrists.

What Causes Osteoarthritis

Healthy cartilage acts as a shock absorber, allowing smooth, pain-free movement between bones. In osteoarthritis, this cartilage gradually breaks down, exposing bone surfaces that grind together, triggering inflammation and pain.

While the exact cause remains unclear, several risk factors have been identified:

Age: Risk rises significantly after age 50.
Sex: Women are up to three times more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis.
Obesity: Extra body weight increases stress on weight-bearing joints like knees and hips.
Genetics: A family history of osteoarthritis raises your personal risk.
Occupation: Jobs involving repetitive motion—like construction, carpentry, or farming—can strain joints over time.
Previous injuries: Broken bones, ligament tears, or cartilage damage can make affected joints more vulnerable.
Congenital conditions: Conditions like hip dysplasia or scoliosis can predispose you to early cartilage wear.

Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis cannot be diagnosed with a single test. Instead, healthcare providers combine medical history, physical exams, and imaging tests to confirm the diagnosis and rule out other joint conditions.

During your appointment, your provider may ask:

When did your pain or stiffness begin?
Is there a family history of joint problems?
Does the pain occur with activity, rest, or both?
Have you had any past joint injuries?
What improves or worsens your symptoms?

Tests used to confirm osteoarthritis include:

Physical exam: Checks joint tenderness, range of motion, and muscle strength.
X-rays: Reveal bone changes, cartilage loss, and bone spurs.
MRI: Provides detailed images of soft tissue damage.
Blood tests: Rule out similar conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
Joint fluid analysis: Examines synovial fluid for infection or uric acid crystals.

Treatments

While there’s no cure, osteoarthritis treatment focuses on relieving pain, preserving joint function, and improving quality of life. Your provider may recommend a mix of non-drug, drug, and surgical treatments based on your symptoms.

Non-Drug Therapies

These are often the first line of defense:

Physical therapy: Helps strengthen muscles and improve flexibility.
Exercise: Low-impact activities such as swimming, walking, or yoga maintain mobility.
Braces or orthotics: Support joints and reduce strain.
Assistive devices: Canes, walkers, and grab bars make movement and daily tasks easier.
Weight management: Losing even a small amount of weight can relieve stress on joints.

Drug Therapies

Medications can reduce inflammation and control pain:

NSAIDs: Over-the-counter options like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen (Aleve) help relieve pain and swelling.
Acetaminophen: Effective for mild to moderate pain relief.
Glucocorticoid injections: Deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into the affected joint for short-term relief.
Neuropathic pain agents: Medications such as duloxetine (Cymbalta) or pregabalin (Lyrica) may help with chronic pain management.

Surgical Options

If nonsurgical treatments fail and joint damage is severe, surgery may be recommended:

Arthroscopic surgery: Removes damaged cartilage fragments.
Realignment procedures: Adjust joint positioning to distribute weight more evenly.
Joint fusion: Fuses bones to stabilize severely damaged joints.
Joint replacement: Replaces worn-out joints with artificial ones (partial or total).

Preventing Osteoarthritis Flares

Osteoarthritis flares—periods when symptoms suddenly worsen—can happen due to overuse or stress. While you can’t completely prevent them, you can minimize their impact by:

Taking regular breaks during repetitive activities
Practicing relaxation and stress management techniques
Protecting joints from injury
Maintaining a balanced exercise routine
Using heat or cold therapy for relief

Complications

If untreated, osteoarthritis can cause progressive joint damage and mobility issues. Common complications include:

Increased risk of falls due to stiffness or weakness
Reduced range of motion and flexibility
Difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or performing daily tasks
Nerve compression in spinal osteoarthritis (radiculopathy)

In severe cases, chronic pain and limited movement can affect emotional well-being and independence.

Living With Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects everyone differently—some experience mild stiffness, while others face chronic pain that impacts daily life. The key is to stay proactive and follow your care plan consistently.