Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of degenerative joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.[5] The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness.[1] Usually the symptoms progress slowly over years.[1] Initially they may occur only after exercise but can become constant over time.[1] Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and, when the back is affected, weakness or numbness of the arms and legs.[1] The most commonly involved joints are the two near the ends of the fingers and the joint at the base of the thumbs; the knee and hip joints; and the joints of the neck and lower back.[1] Joints on one side of the body are often more affected than those on the other.[1] The symptoms can interfere with work and normal daily activities.[1] Unlike some other types of arthritis, only the joints, not internal organs, are affected.[1]
| Osteoarthritis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, osteoarthrosis |
 | |
| The formation of hard knobs at the middle finger joints (known as Bouchard's nodes) and at the farthest joints of the fingers (known as Heberden's nodes) is a common feature of osteoarthritis in the hands. | |
| Pronunciation | |
| Specialty | Rheumatology, orthopedics |
| Symptoms | Joint pain, stiffness, joint swelling, decreased range of motion[1] |
| Usual onset | Over years[1] |
| Causes | Connective tissue disease, previous joint injury, abnormal joint or limb development, inherited factors[1][2] |
| Risk factors | Overweight, legs of different lengths, job with high levels of joint stress[1][2] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, supported by other testing[1] |
| Treatment | Exercise, efforts to decrease joint stress, support groups, pain medications, joint replacement[1][2][3] |
| Frequency | 237 million / 3.3% (2015)[4] |
Causes include previous joint injury, abnormal joint or limb development, and inherited factors.[1][2] Risk is greater in those who are overweight, have legs of different lengths, or have jobs that result in high levels of joint stress.[1][2][6] Osteoarthritis is believed to be caused by mechanical stress on the joint and low grade inflammatory processes.[7] It develops as cartilage is lost and the underlying bone becomes affected.[1] As pain may make it difficult to exercise, muscle loss may occur.[2][8] Diagnosis is typically based on signs and symptoms, with medical imaging and other tests used to support or rule out other problems.[1] In contrast to rheumatoid arthritis, in osteoarthritis the joints do not become hot or red.[1]
Treatment includes exercise, decreasing joint stress such as by rest or use of a cane, support groups, and pain medications.[1][3] Weight loss may help in those who are overweight.[1] Pain medications may include paracetamol (acetaminophen) as well as NSAIDs such as naproxen or ibuprofen.[1] Long-term opioid use is not recommended due to lack of information on benefits as well as risks of addiction and other side effects.[1][3] Joint replacement surgery may be an option if there is ongoing disability despite other treatments.[2] An artificial joint typically lasts 10 to 15 years.[9]
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting about 237 million people or 3.3% of the world's population.[4][10] It becomes more common as people become older.[1] Among those over 60 years old, about 10% of males and 18% of females are affected.[2] Osteoarthritis is the cause of about 2% of years lived with disability.[10]