Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that happens when the cartilage that protects your bones slowly wears down. Without this cushion, your bones rub against each other and cause pain and other symptoms like swelling and stiffness. 

Over time, your body may develop bone spurs (growths) because of osteoarthritis, which can make you even more uncomfortable and make it harder for you to move your joint.

You’re most likely to have osteoarthritis in weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips and spine - with knee osteoarthritis being especially common. You can also get it in your hands, shoulders, elbows and ankles. It gets worse over time, so it’s important to start treatment early.

Causes of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is caused by the breakdown of cartilage, the tissue that cushions your joints. This cartilage loss happens gradually over time due to aging, injury or repetitive stress. As the cartilage wears away, the bones rub against each other, leading to pain, stiffness and bone spurs. 

Osteoarthritis risk factors and causes

Several risk factors can increase your chance of developing osteoarthritis. They include:

• Age: You are more likely to have osteoarthritis as you get older, due to natural wear and tear on your joints over time.
• Genetics: A family history of osteoarthritis can make you more likely to get the condition.
• Injury or overuse: Joint injuries or repetitive motion from sports or work can make your cartilage break down more quickly.
• Obesity: Extra weight puts pressure on your weight-bearing joints, increasing the stress on them.
• Medical history: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic disorders and previous joint surgeries may make it more likely that you will develop osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis symptoms vary but commonly include:

• Pain and inflammation that gets worse with activity and eases up when you rest
• Joint stiffness, especially after you haven’t been active for a long time or when you wake up in the morning
• Pain that gets better with mild activity but worse with vigorous activity
• Decreased range of motion, which can make it hard for you to move, bend, straighten or rotate the joint
• A joint that looks enlarged or swollen
• A grating sensation or a clicking or popping sound that you may notice when you move the joint
• Bone spurs, which can cause discomfort

Symptoms often develop slowly and get worse over time, so it’s important to talk to a health care provider when you notice them. 

When you see a health care provider for arthritis symptoms, they may:

• Review your medical history and symptoms. They will want to know when the pain began, what it feels like, what makes it better and whether you’ve ever injured the joint.
• Conduct a physical exam to see how well your joint is functioning, how much pain you have and whether you have any signs of injury.
• Order imaging tests like X-rays to check for signs of wear and tear or bone spurs in your joint or MRIs to get more detailed images.
• Perform lab tests like blood work if needed, to rule out other conditions that have similar symptoms to osteoarthritis.

While there’s no cure for osteoarthritis, treatments can reduce pain and inflammation, improve mobility and enhance your quality of life. Treatment usually includes a mix of lifestyle changes, medication and physical therapy, and works best when you start it early. Talk to your health care provider about these options:

Non-surgical treatments

• Pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like Advil, Motrin) may help manage discomfort.
• Physical therapy can strengthen your muscles and improve your range of motion.
• Braces, splints and shoe inserts may help support your joints.
• Applying heat or cold to the joint several times a day may reduce discomfort.
• The dietary supplements glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate may help with pain.

Minimally invasive treatments

• Corticosteroid injections may be used to reduce inflammation but should be used sparingly.
• Hyaluronic acid injections may make your joints more lubricated.
• Low-dose radiation may lower inflammation around the joint.

Surgical options

• Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure where a surgeon removes bone spurs, damaged areas or fragments from the joint.
• Osteotomy realigns long bones, like those in the arm or leg, to reduce pressure on the joint.
• Joint fusion fastens bones together. With fusion, the joint can’t move so it no longer hurts. It’s most often used in the spine, hands or feet.
• Joint replacement surgery uses a prosthetic joint made of metal or plastic to replace the joint.

• Stay active: Low-impact activities like swimming, biking and walking help keep your joints flexible. 
• Maintain a healthy weight: Reducing weight if you need to can lower the stress on your joints. Even losing a small amount of weight may help.
• Protect your joints: Wear supportive footwear, avoid high-impact activities and modify your movements so you don’t add more damage to your joints.
• Manage pain naturally: Heat and cold therapy, stretching and over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help.
• Consider alternative therapies: Meditation, yoga and acupuncture may help reduce pain.
• Follow a healthy diet for joint health: Eating fruits, vegetables, lean protein and omega-3 fatty acids may help reduce inflammation. 

At Banner Health, we understand how joint pain from osteoarthritis can limit your activities and affect your quality of life. Our team of experienced specialists in joint health and osteoarthritis uses advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate your joints. 

They can recommend comprehensive treatments, from medication to surgery, and personalized care plans to improve your quality of life.