Osteoarthritis

About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis OA is the most common joint disorder, affecting hundreds of millions of people worldwide. It involves progressive degeneration of joint cartilage and underlying bone, leading to pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion. The knees, hips, hands, and spine are most commonly affected. Risk factors include age, the strongest risk factor, female sex, obesity, previous joint injury, repetitive occupational stress, genetics, and bone density. Symptoms develop gradually, with joint pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest, morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, and crepitus grating sensation. Diagnosis is primarily clinical, confirmed by X ray showing joint space narrowing, osteophytes bone spurs, subchondral sclerosis, and cysts. Blood tests are only needed to rule out other conditions. Management focuses on symptom relief and function. First line interventions include exercise, weight loss, physical therapy, and topical NSAIDs diclofenac gel for hand and knee OA. Oral NSAIDs ibuprofen, naproxen are effective but have gastrointestinal and cardiovascular risks. Intra articular corticosteroid injections provide short term relief. Joint replacement surgery is effective for end stage disease, with hip and knee replacement being among the most successful surgical interventions.