What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis (a condition that affects your joints). Healthcare providers sometimes refer to it as degenerative joint disease or OA. It happens when the cartilage that lines your joints is worn down over time and your bones rub against each other when you use your affected joints.
Usually, the ends of bones in your joints are capped in a layer of tough, smooth cartilage. Cartilage is like a two-in-one shock absorber and lubricant – it helps the bones in your joints move past each other smoothly and safely. If you have osteoarthritis, the cartilage in your affected joints wears away over time. Eventually, your bones rub against each other when you move your joints.
Osteoarthritis can affect any of your joints, but most commonly develops in your:
- Hands.
- Knees.
- Hips.
- Neck (cervical spine).
- Lower back (lumbar spine).
Popular Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain: Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
- Stiffness: Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.
- Tenderness: Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
- Loss of flexibility: You might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
- Grating sensation: You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling.
- Bone spurs: These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.
- Swelling: This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.
How is osteoarthritis treated?
Your healthcare provider will help you find treatments that relieve your osteoarthritis symptoms. There’s no cure for arthritis, and you can’t regrow the cartilage in your affected joints. Your provider will help you find ways to manage your symptoms when you’re experiencing them.
The most common treatments for osteoarthritis include:
- Medication: Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help reduce pain and inflammation. You might need medication you take by mouth or topical pain relievers (creams, ointments or patches you put on your skin near your affected joints).
- Exercise: Moving your joints can relieve stiffness and strengthen the muscles around them. Low-impact activities like swimming, water aerobics and weight training can all help. Your provider might recommend that you work with a physical therapist.
- Supportive devices: Wearing shoe inserts or a brace can support and stabilize your joints. Using a cane or walker can take pressure off your affected joints and help you move safely.
- Heat and cold therapies: Applying heat or cold to your affected joints might help relieve pain and stiffness. Your provider will tell you how often (and for how long) you should apply a heating pad, ice packs or a cool compress.
- Complementary therapy: Complementary therapies may work alongside other treatment options. Examples of complementary medicine include acupuncture, massage, meditation, tai chi and dietary supplements. Talk to your provider before you start taking any herbal or dietary supplements.
- Surgery: Most people don’t need surgery to treat osteoarthritis. Your provider might recommend surgery if you’re experiencing severe symptoms and other treatments haven’t worked. You might need a joint replacement (arthroplasty). Your provider or surgeon will tell you what to expect.
Prevention Osteoarthritis Naturrally At Home
The best way to prevent osteoarthritis is to maintain good overall health, including:
- Avoiding tobacco products.
- Doing low-impact exercise.
- Following a diet plan that’s healthy for you.
- Always wearing your seatbelt.
- Wearing proper protective equipment for any activity, sport or work you’re doing.
Visiting a healthcare provider for regular checkups and as soon as you notice any changes in your joints.
