Overview

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and one of the main causes of joint pain and disability. It happens when the cartilage that protects the ends of bones slowly wears away. When cartilage breaks down, bones start to rub against each other, which causes pain, stiffens the joints, and makes it harder to move. The knees, hips, spine, and hands are the most common sites of osteoarthritis. It usually gets worse as people get older, but it can also happen to younger people who hurt themselves or use their joints too much.

Symptoms
Osteoarthritis causes joint pain that worsens with movement and improves with rest. Other symptoms include stiffness, especially after prolonged inactivity, swelling, and a limited range of motion. When you move your joints, you might feel a grating or cracking feeling. As the condition gets worse, the pain may not go away, making it hard to do everyday things.

Causes
Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in the joints slowly wears down. Some reasons that make you more likely to get this disease are getting older, being overweight, hurting your joints, putting too much stress on them, having bad joint alignment, and having a family history of it. Being overweight puts more stress on the joints, especially the knees and hips, which accelerates cartilage breakdown.

Diagnosis
The diagnosis is based on the patient's medical history, physical exam, and imaging tests. X-rays are often used to show that cartilage has worn away, bone spurs have formed, and the space between joints has gotten smaller. An MRI may detect damage to soft tissues and cartilage in some cases.

Treatment
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but treatment can help with symptoms and keep the joints moving. Management includes taking painkillers, going to physical therapy, keeping your weight in check, and doing low-impact exercise on a regular basis. Braces and other devices that help may be useful. In more serious cases, doctors may suggest surgery, such as joint replacement or joint injections.

Osteoarthritis is a long-term disease, but treating it early can slow its progress. Many people stay mobile and have a good quality of life with the right care and changes to their daily habits.