More News Health News EPG Patient Direct News Feed

Health News

Your Vote

Default
Would you like your employer to provide better access to healthy foods?
Yes
No


Read more about this subject

This service contains links to third party websites. EPG Patient Direct is not in a position to verify this information and cannot be held responsible for the accuracy of the content contained.

   
 
Home >> Arthritis   >>  Osteoarthritis (OA)

Osteoarthritis (OA)

(os-tee-oh-are-thry-tis)

Osteoarthritis (OA) affects about 15 people in 100, and after age 55 is more common in women than men.

In OA there is a thinning, often progressing to complete loss, of the cartilage that covers the surface of the joint (Figure 1). It can also affect the underlying bone. OA may arise without an apparent cause or may occur after damage to a joint from inflammation (which might be a result of infection), too much stress on the joint or traumatic injury. It can sometimes run in the family. OA of the hip and knee are more common in people who are overweight.

OA commonly affects load-bearing joints such as the spine, hips or knees and can also affect the finger joints; it may only affect one side of the body.

The most common symptom of OA is pain in the affected joint(s) after repetitive use. Joint pain is usually worse later in the day. There can be swelling, warmth and crepitus (creaking) of the affected joints.

Pain and stiffness of the joints can also occur after long periods of inactivity for example, sitting watching television or in a car on a long journey.

In severe OA, complete loss of the cartilage cushion causes friction between bones, causing pain at rest or pain with limited motion.

A joint affected by Osteoarthritis

Figure 1: A joint affected by Osteoarthritis

Joints commonly affected by Osteoarthritis

Figure 2: A joint commonly affected by Osteoarthritis

Symptoms of OA vary greatly from patient to patient. Some patients can be debilitated by their symptoms. On the other hand, others may have remarkably few symptoms in spite of dramatic degeneration of the joints apparent on x-rays. Symptoms also can be intermittent. It is not unusual for patients with OA of the hands and knees to have years of pain-free intervals between symptoms.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The most common symptoms of OA include:

  • Steady or intermittent pain in a joint.
  • Stiffness after periods of inactivity, such as sleeping or sitting.
  • Swelling or tenderness in 1 or more joints.
  • Crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone (called crepitus) when the joint is used.

OA usually comes on slowly. Early in the disease, joints may ache after physical work or exercise. If you are experiencing symptoms such as joint pain and stiffness, see a doctor to find out if you have OA.

If your joints feel hot, red, and tender, you probably have something other than OA. Check with your doctor about other causes of those symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

 


This quick guide is supported by Pfizer.