Osteoarthritis(Degenerative Joint Disease; Arthritis, Osteo-)
by
Cynthia M. Johnson, MA DefinitionOsteoarthritis (OA) is the wearing down of cartilage between bones. Cartilage is smooth tissue that cushions bones and helps them move smoothly over each other.
CausesOA is caused by the wearing down of cartilage between bones. The damage worsens over time. For some people, the cartilage may completely wear away. Risk FactorsOA is more common in older adults. It is also more common in women. Other things that may raise the risk are:
SymptomsOA is most common in larger joints that support weight, such as the spine, hips, and knees. It is also common in active joints like the hand and feet. Common problems are:
DiagnosisThe doctor will ask about symptoms and past health. A physical exam will be done. This is often enough to make the diagnosis. Images of the joint may be taken. This can be done with: TreatmentOA cannot be cured. The goal of treatment is to:
Treatment may change over time. Options may include:
Some people may need surgery if other methods do not help. Surgery may be done to:
PreventionTo lower the risk of OA:
RESOURCES:American College of Rheumatology http://www.rheumatology.org The Arthritis Foundation http://www.arthritis.org CANADIAN RESOURCES:The Arthritis Society http://www.arthritis.ca Seniors Canada http://www.seniors.gc.ca References:Derry S, Moore RA, et al. Topical NSAIDs for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;2015(6):CD007402. Fransen M, McConnell S, et al. Exercise for osteoarthritis of the knee. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD004376. Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, et al. 2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the Management of Osteoarthritis of the Hand, Hip, and Knee. Arthritis Care Res. 2020;72(2):149-162. Logan CA, Asnis PD, et al. The Role of Therapeutic Modalities in Surgical and Nonsurgical Management of Orthopaedic Injuries. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017;25(8):556-568. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-hip. Accessed October 8, 2020. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-knee. Accessed October 8, 2020. Osteoarthritis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Disorders website. Available at: ...(Click grey area to select URL) Accessed October 8, 2020. Physical therapy for arthritis. Arthritis Foundation website. Available at:
https://www.arthritis.org/health-wellness/treatment/complementary-therapies/physical-therapies/physical-therapy-for-arthritis. Accessed September 6, 2020.
Ren R, Tang G, et al. The Tai Chi training for middle-aged and elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis: a protocol for systematic review and meta-analysis. Medicine. 2020;99(20): p e20242. Singh JA, Noorbaloochi S, et al. Chondroitin for osteoarthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2015;1:CD005614. Xu Q, Chen B, et al. The Effectiveness of Manual Therapy for Relieving Pain, Stiffness, and Dysfunction in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Pain Physician. 2017;20(4):229-243. Last reviewed January 2021 by EBSCO Medical Review Board
Laura Lei-Rivera, PT, DPT, GCS Last Updated: 5/14/2021 |
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