Osteoarthritis

The risk increases as you get older, especially after age 50.

Being overweight or obese places stress on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees and spine, which can speed up the destruction of joint cartilage.

A family history of osteoarthritis may make you more likely to develop it.

People with conditions that cause joints to not form or align correctly, such as hip dysplasia, may be at greater risk for osteoarthritis.

Conditions like diabetes, gout, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis can also increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Jobs and activities that require repeated movements, such as painting or throwing, can increase your risk.

Fractures, ligament tears, tendon injuries and dislocations, even those that occurred early in life, can increase the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis.

Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, particularly after menopause.

Lifestyle changes can help manage your symptoms and keep you healthy. Your doctor may recommend:

• Assistive devices: Braces, walkers and canes may help by taking pressure off affected joints.
• Changes to activities: Your doctor or a physical therapist can teach you ways to modify your work routines or daily activities to reduce joint pain.
• Exercise: Physical activity keeps your joints mobile and prevents muscle weakness that can worsen osteoarthritis. Choose low-impact activities, such as walking, water aerobics and cycling, and avoid activities that worsen your discomfort.
• Weight loss: Losing weight, if necessary, can significantly improve your pain levels and make medications more effective. Getting enough physical activity and eating a healthy diet will help, or your doctor may recommend a medical weight management program.

There are several therapy options to help with your osteoarthritis discomfort or complement other treatment options you’re currently using. These include:

• Physical therapy: Physical therapists create customized exercise plans to stretch and strengthen muscles around a painful joint, which can reduce your symptoms and help you maintain joint function. They can also teach you activity modifications that help reduce stress on a joint and use therapies, such as transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (which delivers low-voltage electrical currents to a joint), to address pain.
• Occupational therapy: Occupational therapists can help you with activities such as dressing and eating, so you can maintain your independence. They may also help you learn to use devices, such as braces or splints.

Complementary therapies can be a valuable addition to your osteoarthritis treatment plan, offering relief from symptoms and improving overall well-being. Integrated medicine is not a substitute for medical treatment but can work alongside traditional approaches to enhance your care. Your options may include:

• Acupuncture
• Massage
• Meditation and mindfulness
• Yoga
• Dietary supplements

Before trying complementary therapy, talk with your doctor or healthcare provider to ensure it’s safe and appropriate for your needs.

Many medications can address the symptoms of osteoarthritis. You and your doctor can work together, experimenting with different types or combinations, to find the right treatment for your symptoms.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): NSAIDs address pain by reducing swelling and inflammation. Over-the-counter NSAIDs include ibuprofen, naproxen sodium and aspirin. If those don't provide relief, your doctor can prescribe alternatives, such as celecoxib and diclofenac.
• Topical creams and other products: Often available over the counter, topical products for arthritis include roll-on liquids, creams, ointments and patches. The active ingredients vary by product and may include NSAIDs, capsaicin, camphor, lidocaine and menthol.
• Steroid injections: Corticosteroids are a type of steroid that reduces pain and swelling. They work temporarily and can have side effects if used long-term, so your doctor will help you decide how often to receive them.
• Viscosupplementation: Another type of joint injection, viscosupplementation involves hyaluronic acid, a substance that can lubricate your joints. Viscosupplementation is typically used to treat knee arthritis.

When nonsurgical treatments no longer provide the relief you need, your doctor may recommend surgery. Orthopedic surgeons use a few different procedures to treat osteoarthritis.

• Arthroscopy: Surgeons perform arthroscopy by inserting a small camera (arthroscope) through a tiny incision to view joint damage. The camera guides the surgeon, who uses special tools to repair the damage. Arthroscopy can also be used to remove bone spurs or other bone fragments in a joint or repair a joint lining.
• Joint replacement surgery: Also called arthroplasty, joint replacement surgery allows your surgeon to replace all (total joint replacement) or part (partial joint replacement) of an arthritic joint with a new man-made joint, reducing discomfort and restoring movement. The most commonly replaced joints are the knees and hips, but doctors can also replace shoulders, ankles, wrists and elbows.
• Joint fusion: Also called arthrodesis, joint fusion is a procedure in which the bones of a joint are connected, or fused, together to prevent movement. When the joint can’t move, you experience less pain. You may benefit from joint fusion if you have arthritis in your spine or in smaller joints, such as the hand and foot.
• Osteotomy: If joint replacement isn't an option, an osteotomy may help manage osteoarthritis. This procedure involves removing or adding a small piece of bone near the affected joint to realign it and reduce stress on the damaged area. While it can relieve symptoms, joint replacement may still be needed in the future.