What Do You Want to Know About Osteoarthritis?


	Cartilage cushions bones at the joints and keeps the bones from rubbing against each other. Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs when this cartilage wears away. The loss of cartilage results in pain, reduced range of motion, and swelling. The condition is also known as “wear and tear” arthritis. It affects 27 million people in the U.S. and is the most common form of arthritis.
	Types of Osteoarthritis
	Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint in the body. But it most commonly affects the knees, hips, spine, and hands. About half of people who live to the age of 85 will develop the condition in their knees. One in four may develop it in a hip
	What Causes Osteoarthritis?
	The cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. Factors that might cause it include: • Being overweight • Getting older • Joint injury • Joints that are not properly formed • A genetic defect in joint cartilage • Stresses on the joints from certain jobs and playing sports.
	Who Is at Risk for Osteoarthritis?
	Osteoarthritis most commonly occurs in people over 40. Risk increases with age. People who are overweight are at additional risk. Other risk factors include having suffered a joint injury, having relatives who have suffered from osteoarthritis, working in a job that requires repetitive movements, and being born with deformed joints.
	What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
	Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Sometimes a person can even hear or feel the sound of friction between bones. Growths or bumps on a joint also can be an indicator of OA. Eventually, these factors may contribute to a person having difficulty performing daily tasks. OA can result in an inability to work.
	How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
	A doctor can use many tools and procedures to diagnose osteoarthritis:
	• Clinical exam : Your doctor will look for swelling and redness. He or she may evaluate your range of motion and feel for tenderness. • Lab work : Performing blood tests or examining a specimen of joint fluid under a microscope can help rule out other conditions. • X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) : These tests can show how much cartilage has been lost and reveal bone spurs.
	How is osteoarthritis treated?
	Doctors often combine treatments to fit a patient's needs, lifestyle, and health. Osteoarthritis treatment has four main goals: • Improve joint function • Keep a healthy body weight • Control pain • Achieve a healthy lifestyle. Osteoarthritis treatment plans can involve: • Exercise • Weight control • Rest and joint care • Nondrug pain relief techniques to control pain • Medicines • Complementary and alternative therapies • Surgery.
	What research is being done on osteoarthritis?
	Osteoarthritis is not simply a disease of "wear and tear" that happens in joints as people get older. There is more to the disease than aging alone. Researchers are studying: • Tools to detect osteoarthritis earlier • Genes • Tissue engineering • A wide range of treatment strategies • Osteoarthritis in animals • Medicines to prevent joint damage • Complementary and alternative therapies • Vitamins and other supplements • Injection of hyaluronic acid (a natural part of cartilage and joint fluid) • Estrogen • Biological and structural markers (biomarkers) for osteoarthritis.