Osteoarthritis: Causes, Symptoms, & Treatment

Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the body’s joints. Living with arthritis can be tough because it affects both your physical and emotional health. The pain and stiffness can greatly limit your movement, quality of life, and overall well-being. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common. Over 32.5 million adults in the U.S. have osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis, like all forms of arthritis, has no cure. However, you can manage its symptoms effectively. Proper pain management can help reduce pain and inflammation and maintain joint function.

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a condition where the protective cartilage in the joints wears away, causing bone-on-bone contact and pain. It can affect any joint but is most common in the hands, hips, knees, and spine. Diagnosing osteoarthritis involves a thorough medical history and physical examination.

Anatomy and Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis

Here are the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis, especially as people age:

Hands: Frequent use of the joints connecting the fingers, thumbs, and wrists can lead to pain and stiffness, limiting daily activities.
Knees: Often caused by injury or repetitive use, knee osteoarthritis results in pain, swelling, and instability. This can make walking, climbing stairs, or standing difficult.
Hips: Being a major weight-bearing joint, the hip is prone to osteoarthritis due to age, repetitive use, or injury. Hip pain can be debilitating and hinder daily activities like walking and standing.
Spine: Osteoarthritis in the spine leads to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, mainly in the lower back and neck. This can make bending over or lifting objects painful.

By understanding these aspects of osteoarthritis, you can better manage its symptoms and maintain your quality of life.

Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis

Symptoms vary depending on which joints are affected and how far the condition has progressed. They can range from mild to severe. Here are the primary symptoms associated with osteoarthritis:

Pain and Swelling

Osteoarthritis typically causes mild to severe pain and swelling in the affected joint that may increase with activity. This happens because of the inflammation in the joint and the damage to the cartilage. When the cartilage is worn away, the bones can rub against each other, causing pain. Swelling usually occurs due to inflammation and fluid buildup in the joint, as the body tries to repair the damage.

Muscle Stiffness and Decreased Range of Motion

Osteoarthritis can cause stiffness and a reduced range of motion in the affected joint. Inflammation makes it hard to move the joint, leading to muscle weakness around the joint, which further limits movement. The destruction of cartilage also reduces the space between the bones, making it harder for the joint to move freely.

Grating Sensation

A grating sensation can occur when the bones of an affected joint rub against each other due to the loss of cartilage that normally cushions and protects them. This can be mild to severe and may happen when the joint is moved or touched.

Loss Of Lower Body Function

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Reduced Knee Mobility

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Joint Sensations Of Heat Or Warm

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Causes And Risk Factors

The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood. However, several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition:

Aging

As individuals age, osteoarthritis poses a prevalent risk. The natural degeneration of joints with aging increases susceptibility to this condition. The cartilage that cushions the joints wears down over time, leading to pain and stiffness. Additionally, reduced physical activity and muscle strength can exacerbate the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Carrying extra weight puts more strain on your joints, increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis. The added weight can also worsen the pain, as it puts additional pressure on already inflamed joints.

Family History

Having a family history of osteoarthritis increases your risk of developing the condition. The estimated heritability of osteoarthritis varies by body part:

Osteoarthritis of the knee: 40 percent
Osteoarthritis of the hip: up to 60 percent
Osteoarthritis of the hand: 65 percent
Osteoarthritis of the spine: 70 percent

Joint Strain From Repetitive Stress

Prolonged stress on a joint heightens the likelihood of osteoarthritis development, as it leads to cartilage degeneration. Activities like running, weightlifting, or engaging in sports such as tennis or basketball can induce this repetitive stress on the joint.

History of Injury or Joint Surgery

Joint injuries, particularly those that haven’t healed properly, can heighten the likelihood of osteoarthritis onset. These injuries can alter the normal mechanics of the joint, leading to increased wear and tear. Moreover, past joint surgeries can sometimes accelerate joint changes, making proactive management and regular monitoring essential.

Evaluation And Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis is usually diagnosed through a physical examination and imaging tests. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for signs of swelling, tenderness, warmth, and decreased range of motion in the affected joint. X-rays and MRI scans are often used to help diagnose the condition. X-rays can reveal bone loss, narrowing between joints, or bone spurs, which are indicators of osteoarthritis. MRI scans can show the condition of the cartilage and soft tissue around the affected joint.

Getting an accurate diagnosis of osteoarthritis is crucial to determine the best course of treatment. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition; therefore, proper management is necessary to reduce pain and improve joint function.

Treatment Options For Osteoarthritis

Even though there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are several ways to manage the condition. These treatments can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve your range of motion. Below are some common methods that traditional doctors use to treat osteoarthritis:

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Doctors often prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin to manage osteoarthritis. These medications help reduce inflammation and pain in the affected joint. Additionally, corticosteroid injections can also be used to decrease inflammation and pain.

Physical, Occupational, and Exercise Therapy

Physical and occupational therapy can improve joint function, reduce pain, and increase strength. Therapists teach exercises to enhance the range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the affected joint. Occupational therapists can help modify daily activities to reduce stress on the joint and provide adaptive equipment to make tasks easier.

Surgical Procedures

If osteoarthritis has progressed significantly and other treatments are not providing relief, surgery may be recommended. Here are some surgical procedures that might be used to treat osteoarthritis:

Arthrodesis: This procedure fuses two bones together using metal plates and screws to reduce pain and improve joint stability, though it can limit the range of motion.
Osteotomy: This surgery involves cutting and shifting the bone around the knee joint to take pressure off the affected area, aiming to reduce pain and improve joint function.
Arthroplasty: This involves removing the affected joint and replacing it with an artificial joint, aiming to improve the range of motion and reduce pain.

How NextPain Care Treats Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that affects millions of people, causing pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility. It can significantly impact your daily activities and overall quality of life. At NextPain Care, we understand the challenges that come with managing osteoarthritis, and we are dedicated to helping you find relief and lead a more fulfilling life.

We focus on treatments that address the root cause of pain rather than just masking symptoms. Our evidence-based methodologies aim to manage your pain effectively. We offer a wide range of minimally invasive treatments and supportive therapies designed to reduce pain and improve joint function. Our multidisciplinary team works closely with you to develop a personalized plan that addresses osteoarthritis.

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Nerve Block

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Epidural Steroid Injections

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Radiofrequency Ablation

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Manage Osteoarthritis With NextPain Care

Our comprehensive and patient-centered approach ensures that you receive personalized care tailored to your specific needs. With our evidence-based treatments and compassionate support, we are committed to helping you manage your osteoarthritis pain. Contact us today to learn more about how we can assist you on your path to better health.

Our Providers

We take great pride in the wealth of talent and expertise that our providers have as they improve the health outcomes of our patients, each and every day.

Preeti Narayan

Medical Doctorate, Board-Certified in Anesthesiology & Pain Management, Fellowship-Trained in Interventional and Acute Pain Management

Andrew Bray

Certified Physician Assistant, Experienced in Primary Care, Addiction Medicine, and Urgent Care

Andrew Maddox

Physical Therapist, Doctor of Physical Therapy

Nicole Gayle

Physical Therapist, Specializing in Orthopedic, Neurological, Vestibular, and Lymphedema Conditions, Conditioning for Job Reintegration

Stephen Angelone

Chiropractic Physician

Zemi Moore

Director of Behavioral Health, Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, AAMFT Approved Supervisor Candidate, Certified in Dialectical Behavior Therapy

Dr Paul Lynch

Medical Doctorate, Double board certified DABA: Anesthesia and Subspecialty in Pain Medicine , Fellowship Trained in Pain Management

Ashika Sheth

Certified Physician Assistant, Experienced in Neurosurgery, Interventional Spine, and Pain Management