Osteoarthritis - Diagnosis and treatment

Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis that is most often caused by wear and tear to joints, particularly in the fingers, wrists, and knees. The average age of onset is around 55, and it most often occurs after the age of 40.

It is a common condition, affecting around 30 million people in the UK and 500,000 people in the US.

Symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis include swelling, stiffness, and an increasing lack of range of motion. Symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis include swelling, stiffness, and an increasing lack of range of motion.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis in the UK and the second most common in the United States.

It is a condition in which the protective cartilage that keeps the bones together is worn down, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness.

The condition can affect any joint, including the fingers, wrists, knees, hips, and spine. OA is most common in people in their 60s, 70s, and 80s.

The most commonly diagnosed symptoms of OA are swelling, stiffness, and worsening pain. The individual may feel that their joint is broken, or that the pain is unbearable.

The signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis vary between people, but symptoms may include:

• swelling
• stiffness
• pain
• tenderness
• increased pain
• significant changes in gait or ability to walk

People may also experience an increase in the number of painful aches and pains over a period of time.

Complications and risk factors

Age is the most common risk factor for developing OA, and the condition tends to be progressive. As the bones in the joints wear down, they become stiff and painful, and this pain increases as people get older.

Symptoms may be exacerbated by:

• a history of trauma
• a long history of heavy work or severe physical exercise
• a family history of OA
• a family history of rheumatoid arthritis
• impaired kidney function
• lack of flexibility in the joints
• damage or a weakened ligament
• such as the Achilles tendon or the meniscus

To reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis, the UK government recommends:

• aging healthily and avoiding pain
• relaxation of joint movement
• being physically active
• controlling hypertension
• reducing blood sugar
• losing weight
• managing weight gain

Also, the World Health Organization recommends that adults with osteoarthritis reduce the impact of their activities by increasing the use of resting periods and taking it easier on the joints.

Treatment

A physical examination can help a doctor assess OA. A physical examination can help a doctor assess OA.

It can be hard to diagnose osteoarthritis without carrying out a physical examination. This is because the symptoms of OA are similar to many other types of joint pain, and they may not be diagnosed at the initial doctor's visit.

A doctor will use the same tests and examinations used to diagnose other types of arthritis.

They will look for swelling, stiffness, and pain when examining the back of the knee. They may also ask about the degree of pain, stiffness, and range of motion.

Tests will also be used to assess how well a person's knee functions. These include the mechanical all-cause mortality test, which checks if they can bend the knee to 90 degrees, as well as other tests to check strength and grip strength.

A doctor will then recommend the correct treatment plan for each individual's symptoms. This may include recommending a joint replacement, which is a surgical procedure that replaces damaged cartilage with artificial material.