Joint Pain and Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis risk factors

Osteoarthritis can occur at any age, but more frequently in older individuals. Women are also at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis compared with men. People usually develop osteoarthritis from their late 40s through to old age. Injury to a joint may also trigger osteoarthritis, sometimes many years after the injury.

There are several ways to help relieve osteoarthritis pain and keep you mobile:

• Injuries to a joint may increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the future (for example, tennis elbow). Be careful not to overwork a damaged or painful joint, and try to avoid repetitive or excessive joint movements
• If you are overweight, losing weight can help reduce the strain on your weight-bearing joints, such as the knees and hips
• Regular exercise and/or physical therapy that includes strengthening exercises can help reduce pain and stress on the joints
• The use of walking aids such as a cane, crutch, or walker, or using joint supports, can help reduce strain on the joints
• Heat therapy, acupuncture or TENS* treatment can help with pain control
• Treatment options for osteoarthritis include over-the-counter pain relievers, anti-inflammatory (NSAID)† creams, glucosamine and/or chondroitin, or injections

If you have osteoarthritis, talk to your doctor about treatment options. You could also consider speaking to another healthcare professional, such as a pharmacist, physiotherapist, or nutritionist.

*TENS = transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation

†NSAID = non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug