Osteoarthritis is an extremely painful condition that 21 million Americans suffer with, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative joint disease. It is the most common form of arthritis. This condition occurs as the cartilage at the end of the bones begins to wear away, leaving the bones with no cushion for movement. It is possible for small pieces of bone to break away from the rest, causing even more pain than is already occurring. Osteoarthritis mainly affects people who are 45 and older, but it is possible for younger people to develop the condition. Don't ignore early signs of osteoarthritis; see your doctor to discuss your options.
Pain
The pain that is present with osteoarthritis is in one or more joints. It usually affects the knees, and according to the Mayo Clinic, the symptoms may slowly develop and become worse over a period of time. It is considered a deep, aching pain in the joints. There are many different ways to manage the pain from osteoarthritis depending on the person. Some will use strong painkillers while others will use physical therapy. Some extreme cases may need surgery to relieve the pain.
Tenderness
The joints could be tender to the touch. A doctor will perform a test on a person that includes pressing on the affected area to test for tenderness that may have not been noticed by the patient.
Stiffness
It is common for individuals suffering from osteoarthritis to have stiffness in the joints when they wake up in the morning or after they have been sitting for a long period of time. This stiffness can make it hard to straighten out the leg or the arm, depending on which joint is affected. The American Family Physician journal states that exercise specific to the needs and condition of each patient can be used to relieve some of the stiffness that occurs with osteoarthritis. Sometimes acetaminophen or NSAIDs can be used if the stiffness is accompanied with pain.
Loss of Flexibility
Loss of flexibility is different from stiffness. With stiffness, the joint is able to move freely after some time of working it. When there is a loss of flexibility, the range of motion doesn’t come back. It could become impossible to straighten the knees at any point during the day, no matter if medications were taken.
Grating Sensation
Some people have the sensation when moving of grating in the joints. It can feel like sand is between the joints and scraping against both ends of bone. It is even possible to hear this symptom if you listen closely. This symptom occurs because the cartilage of the joints is damaged to the point of allowing the bones to grind together during movement.
Bone Spurs
Bone spurs are tiny, bonelike structures that occur around the joint in the presence of osteoarthritis. Because the cartilage is breaking down inside the joint, the body tries to compensate by creating new areas of bone. These areas can go undetected for many years without causing any problems. Sometimes, however, they can begin to rub against other areas of bone or nerves, causing severe pain.
