Home > Medical Reference > Patient Education

Ask the Expert

Get answers to your metabolic bone & mineral disorders questions.

Note: This is for informational purposes only. Doctors cannot provide a diagnosis or individual treatment advice via e-mail. Please consult your physician about your specific health care concerns.

Please install flash player to see this video.

Hospital Virtual Tour

Osteoarthritis - Highlights

Description

An in-depth report on the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of the most common form of arthritis.

Alternative Names

Arthritis - osteoarthritis

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

Resources

www.rheumatology.org -- American College of Rheumatology
www.arthritis.org -- Arthritis Foundation
www.niams.nih.gov -- National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
www.aaos.org -- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons

References

Brouwer RW, Raaij van TM, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, et al. Osteotomy for treating knee osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007;(3):CD004019.

Cepeda MS, Camargo F, et al. Tramadol for osteoarthritis: a systematic review and metaanalysis. J Rheumatol. 2007;34(3):543-555.

Das A, Neher JO, Safranek S. Clinical inquiries. Do hyaluronic acid injections relieve OA knee pain? J Fam Pract. 2009 May;58(5):281c-e.

Fransen M, McConnell S. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Oct 8;(4):CD004376.

Gregory PJ, Sperry M, Wilson AF. Dietary supplements for osteoarthritis. Am Fam Physician. 2008;77(2):177-184.

Gutierrez GP. Managing osteoarthritis: what's best for your patient? J Fam Pract. 2008 Oct;57(10):644-50.

Hamel MB, Toth M, Legedza A, et al. Joint replacement surgery in elderly patients with severe osteoarthritis of the hip or knee: decision making, postoperative recovery, and clinical outcomes. Arch Intern Med. 2008;168(13):1430-1440.

Harris ED Jr., Barnett GD, Budd RC, et al., eds. Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Saunders; 2005.

Hernández-Molina G, Reichenbach S, Zhang B, Lavalley M, Felson DT. Effect of therapeutic exercise for hip osteoarthritis pain: results of a meta-analysis. Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Sep 15;59(9):1221-8.

Hunter DJ. In the clinic: Osteoarthritis. Ann Intern Med 2007;147(3):ITC8-1-ITC8-16.

Lane NE. Clinical practice. Osteoarthritis of the hip. N Engl J Med. 2007;357(14): 1413-1421.

Lange AK, Vanwanseele B, Fiatarone Singh MA. Strength training for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee: a systematic review. Arthritis Rheum. 2008 Oct 15;59(10):1488-94.

Laupattarakasem W, Laopaiboon M, Laupattarakasem P, et al. Arthroscopic debridement for knee osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008;(1):CD005118.

Leopold SS. Minimally invasive total knee arthroplasty for osteoarthritis. N Engl J Med. 2009 Apr 23;360(17):1749-58.

Manheimer E, Linde K, Lao L, et al. Meta-analysis: acupuncture for osteoarthritis of the knee. Ann Intern Med. 2007;146(12):868-877.

Rozendaal RM, Koes BW, van Osch GJ, et al. Effect of glucosamine sulfate on hip osteoarthritis: a randomized trial. Ann Intern Med. 2008;148(4):268-277.

Sun BH, Wu CW, Kalunian KC. New developments in osteoarthritis. Rheum Dis Clin N Am. 2007;(33):-135-148.

Zhang W, Moskowitz RW, Nuki G, et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2008;16(2):137-162.

Reviewed last on: 6/23/2009
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.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.