Osteoarthritis, also known as “wear and tear” arthritis, is the most common form of arthritis, and develops slowly over time.   

Common in middle-aged and older people, osteoarthritis occurs when the cushioning cartilage in a joint gradually wears away, leading to stiffness, swelling, and pain, and making daily activities more difficult.   

Without cartilage to cushion the joint, the bones may rub together causing pain and inflammation.  Loose fragments of cartilage may also interfere with smooth joint movement.  Bone spurs, or osteophytes, may also develop as a result of osteoarthritis, further restricting joint mobility and range of motion. 

Risk factors for osteoarthritis include age, obesity, previous injury of the affected joint, and a family history of osteoarthritis. 

While there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are many treatment options that help manage pain and keep people active. 

NONSURGICAL TREATMENTS

There are a variety of steps that can be taken to maintain strength and mobility and relieve or manage pain, including: 

• Lifestyle changes or modifications.  You may need to: 

• alter the way you perform a work task 
• switch from high-impact or competitive sports to low-impact activities 
• lose weight.  Obesity affects weight-bearing joints (spine, hip, knee, ankle) 

• Medications 

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as naproxen or ibuprofen can help reduce inflammation. 
• Your doctor may recommend a corticosteroid injection (a strong anti-inflammatory injected directly into the affected joint) to provide short-term relief of pain and swelling. 

• Physical therapy/Occupational therapy 

• You may benefit from a balanced fitness program to improve flexibility and strengthen the joint, increase range of motion and reduce pain. 

• Supportive/Assistive devices may be needed.  Supportive aids include braces, splints, and bandaging.  Assistive devices include cane, crutches, or walker. 

• You may apply ice or heat to the affected joint for short periods, several times a day. 

SURGICAL TREATMENTS

If nonsurgical treatments don’t work, or lose effectiveness, surgery may be considered.  Surgical treatment depends upon: 

• Your age 
• Your activity level 
• The condition of the affected joint 
• The extent to which osteoarthritis has progressed 

Surgical treatments for osteoarthritis include: 

• Arthroscopy 

A surgeon uses a pencil-sized, flexible fiberoptic instrument (arthroscope) to make two or three tiny incisions to remove bone spurs, cysts, damaged lining, or loose fragments in the joint. 

• Osteotomy 

The long bones of the arm or leg are realigned to take pressure off the affected portion of the joint. 

• Joint fusion 

A surgeon eliminates the joint by fastening together the ends of bones using pins, plates, screws, or rods to hold bones in place while they heal.  Joint fusion eliminates the joint’s flexibility.  Fusion is most commonly performed in the spine, hand, and foot. 

• Joint replacement (arthroplasty) 

A surgeon removes the damaged ends of the bones comprising the affected joint, replacing them with artificial metal or plastic components. 

Source: https://www.aaos.org/