A couple of older adults talking to their coach.

Osteoarthritis

There are over a 100 types of arthritis, but the most common one is called Osteoarthritis. It is a degenerative joint condition, and can range in severity from mild to quite severe, disabling pain.

It typically starts with the breakdown of the flexible joint tissue known as cartilage and can lead to stiff and immobile joints. Many people can develop Osteoarthritis — men and women, older people and even children. Most commonly, osteoarthritis affects the knees, hips, spine and hands.

What is osteoarthritis - and how to manage it

Many people suffer from arthritis – including men and women, older people and even children. There are more than 100 types of arthritis and the most common type is called osteoarthritis.7-9

Older woman rubbing her aching hand.

Osteoarthritis: a degenerative joint disease

Osteoarthritis starts with the breakdown – or degeneration – of the joints between the body’s bones. This flexible tissue, also known as cartilage, provides a cushion where bones come together and prevents them from rubbing against one another when we move. Cartilage, just like any other shock absorber, can start to wear down with age and joint use. And as it does, the protective cushion between the body’s bones decreases.10

Osteoarthritis can:7,11

  • Affect many joints, such as the hand, knee, hip and spine
  • Worsen over time which may cause the cartilage to break away from the bone. The bones may begin to scrape against one another and become bruised or damaged. This may result in persistent pain
  • Cause joint pain and stiffness. These symptoms may be worse after resting or not moving the joint for a while
  • Limit joint movement and flexibility, as affected joints cannot bend as easily or with their full range of motion
  • Cause chronic pain and severe disability in extreme cases, and may affect normal daily activities such as walking, climbing upstairs or opening jars.

Osteoarthritis risk factors

Age is a factor for osteoarthritis. People usually develop osteoarthritis from their late 40s through to old age.5

Osteoarthritis is more common and severe in women, especially in the knees and hands.11

Preventing osteoarthritis is not always possible because many factors contribute to its development:

  • 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.11
  • Being overweight or obese may contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. Excess weight places additional strain on joints, particularly on the knees and hips, and can result in knee or back pain.11
  • Treatment options for mild-to-moderate osteoarthritis include over-the-counter pain relievers and heat therapy to reduce pain. Medical guidelines recommend acetaminophen as the pain reliever to manage osteoarthritis pain.9,12-14
  • Physical therapy that includes strengthening exercises, staying active, losing weight and maintaining a positive attitude can also help manage osteoarthritis.9

Reference

  1. Versus Arthritis, Arthritis, Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/
  2. Versus Arthritis, Osteoarthritis (OA), Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/.
  3. Zhang W, et al. OARSI recommendations for the management of hip and knee osteoarthritis, Part II: OARSI evidence-based, expert consensus guidelines. Osteoarthritis and Cartilage, 2008; 16: 137−162. Available at: https://www.oarsi.org/sites/default/files/library/2013/pdf/part_ii_oarsi_recommendations_for_management_of_hipknee_oa_2007.pdf.
  4. European Action Towards Better Musculoskeletal Health. A Guide to the Prevention and Treatment of Musculoskeletal conditions for the Healthcare Practitioner and Policy Maker. A Bone and Joint Decade Report 2005.
  5. Versus Arthritis, Living with Arthritis, Available at: https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/young-people/living-with-arthritis/
  6. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. Osteoarthritis: care and management. Clinical guideline [CG177]. Published date: February 2014. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg177
  7. Jordan KM, et all. EULAR recommendations 2003: an evidence based approach to the management of knee osteoarthritis: Report of a Task Force of the Standing Committee for International Clinical Studies Including Therapeutic Trials (ESCISIT). Rheum Dis, 2003; 62: 1145−1155. Available at: http://ard.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/62/12/1145
  8. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guideline for the non-surgical management of hip and knee osteoarthritis. July 2009. Available at: https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Clinical%20Resources/Guidelines/Joint%20replacement/Guideline-for-the-non-surgical-management-of-hip-and-knee-osteoarthritis.pdf

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