Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, with an estimated 8.5 million people affected by the condition.

There are three characteristics of osteoarthritis:

• it causes damage to cartilage - the strong, smooth surface that lines the bones and allows joints to move easily and without friction,
• it results in bony growths developing around the edge of the joints, and
• it causes mild inflammation of the tissues around the joints (synovitis).

Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands, but almost any joint can be affected.

Who develops osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis usually develops in people who are over 50 years of age, and it is more common in women than in men. It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not true.

Younger people can also be affected by osteoarthritis, often as a result of an injury or another joint condition.

Managing osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is often thought of as a critical and disabling condition, but this is not usually the case. The symptoms vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints.

There can also be variation between the amount of damage to the joints and the severity of the symptoms. For example, a joint may be severely damaged without causing symptoms, or symptoms may be severe without affecting the movement of a joint.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but the symptoms can be eased by using a number of different treatments. Mild symptoms can often be managed through exercise or by wearing suitable footwear. However, in more advanced cases of osteoarthritis other treatments may be necessary.

Treatments include analgesics (painkillers), physiotherapy or surgery.

Glossary

Joints

Joints are the connection point between two bones that allow movement.

Analgesics

Analgesics are medicines that relieve pain. Examples include paracetamol, aspirin and ibuprofen.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a treatment that uses movement, massage and exercise to relieve illness or injury.