Medical Investigations: What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints that primarily affects cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint.  

The cartilage allows bones to glide over each other. It also absorbs shocks that occur with physical movement. With osteoarthritis, the top layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. As a result, bones that were previously covered by cartilage begin to rub. The friction causes pain, swelling and loss of motion in the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. They can grow spurs around the joint. Some pieces of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the space that exists in the joint which causes more pain and damage.

People with osteoarthritis often have joint pain and limited movement. Unlike other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis affects only joints and not internal organs. Rheumatoid arthritis, which is the second most common type of arthritis, affecting joints and other body parts. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis.

Who gets osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis often occurs in the elderly. Some young people often have osteoarthritis primarily from joint injuries.

What is the cause of osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis usually develops gradually, over time. It can be caused by the following factors:

• Overweight
• Aging
• Joint injury
• Defects in the formation of joints
• A genetic defect in joint cartilage
• Joint fatigue resulting from certain jobs and sports

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. It occurs most often in the hands, knees, hips and spine.

Warning signs of osteoarthritis include:

• Stiffness in a joint after getting out of bed or after sitting for long
• Swelling or tenderness in one or more joints
• Feeling break or bone rubbing on bone crunching against one another.

There is no specific test to diagnose osteoarthritis. Most doctors use several methods to diagnose the disease and rule out other problems, such as:

• Medical history
• Physical exam
• Radiographs
• Other tests such as blood tests or exams joint fluid.

What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?

Doctors often combine treatments to meet the needs, lifestyle and health of the patient. Treatment of osteoarthritis has four main objectives:

• Improve joint function
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Controlling pain
• Achieving a healthy lifestyle.

The treatment plan for osteoarthritis may include:

• Exercise
• Weight management
• Rest and joint care
• Techniques to control pain without drugs
• Medications
• Complementary and alternative therapies
• Surgery.

How do you benefit from self-help and have a "healthy attitude" can?

There are three types of programs to help patients learn about osteoarthritis, self-help and how to have a healthy attitude. These are:

• Patient Education Programs
• Self-help programs for people with arthritis
• Support groups for people with arthritis.

These programs educate people about osteoarthritis and its treatments. They also have clear and lasting benefits. Participants in these programs learn to:

• Exercise and relax
• Talk to your doctor or other medical providers
• Solve problems.

People with osteoarthritis find that self-help programs allow them to:

• Understanding the disease
• Reduce pain while remaining active
• Dealing with the body, mind and emotions
• Have greater control over the disease
• Leading an active and independent life.

People who have a healthy attitude:

• They focus on what they can do rather than what they can not do
• Focus on your strengths, not your weaknesses
• They divide activities into smaller, easier to handle tasks
• Incorporate exercise and healthy foods to your daily routine
• Develop ways to reduce and manage stress
• Maintain a balance between rest and activities
• Develop a support system among family, friends and health care providers.

What research is being done on osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is not simply a disease of "impairment" that affects the joints with age. This disease goes far beyond the simple aging.

Scientists are studying:

• Tools for detecting early osteoarthritis
• Genes
• Tissue engineering; ie cultivate a special form of cartilage to replace injured cartilage
• A wide variety of treatment strategies
• Drugs to prevent, stop or reverse joint damage
• Complementary and alternative therapies
• Vitamins and supplements
• Education to help people better manage their osteoarthritis
• Exercise and weight loss to improve mobility and reduce pain.