Osteoarthritis
What is it?
Osteoarthritis — also known as degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis — is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when joint cartilage is damaged due to age or trauma.
Symptoms
- Joint pain and stiffness
- Bony enlargement of certain joints
Risk factors
- Aging
- Injury to joint
- Obesity
Diagnosing osteoarthritis
- Complete medical history and physical exam
- Imaging (X-ray or MRI)
- Lab testing to exclude other forms of arthritis
Treating osteoarthritis
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs)
- Analgesics such as acetaminophen
Physical therapy
- Weight loss
- Joint injections or joint replacement surgery in severe cases