According to the American College of Rheumatology, osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. Typically localized in one or a few joints, osteoarthritis is characterized by a slow, progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage inside the joint and the subsequent changes in the bony portions of the joint.
Risk Factors
The American College of Rheumatology states that older age, a family history of osteoarthritis, obesity, joint injury, and engaging in repetitive movements are all risk factors for the development of osteoarthritis. Though these are the most common risk factors, it is important to remember that osteoarthritis affects people of all races and gender and sometimes as early as 40 years of age, notes the American College of Rheumatology.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteoarthritis of the knee include knee pain within the joint, stiffness, tenderness, intermittent swelling, cracking, creaky noise with movement and decreased range of motion. Osteoarthritis of the knee is common, as the knee is a weight-bearing joint
Diagnosis
Because the symptoms of knee osteoarthritis can vary significantly among patients, the American College of Rheumatology suggests having a rheumatologist make the diagnosis. Diagnoses are typically made through physical examination, and in some cases images such as X-rays are used to estimate the severity of the disease.
Causes
Osteoarthritis is caused by damage to the articular cartilage of the joint surfaces of the femur and tibia and the resulting degeneration of the bony surfaces underlying the cartilage. According to the Mayo Clinic, as the bone wears, tiny nodules called bone spurs form and either close the effective joint space or break free and float freely in the joint capsule.
Treatment
Since there is no cure for osteoarthritis, the Mayo Clinic suggests the goal of treatment should be pain management. Physical treatments are the least invasive and might include massage, acupuncture or chiropractic manipulations. Pharmacological treatments might include topical creams and ointments, acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, or corticosteroid injections. Injections of a form of hyaluronic acid, which is a joint lubricant, have also proven effective for some patients, explains the American College of Rheumatology. The most invasive treatment option involves surgery to either clean out the joint, called an arthroscope, or a total joint replacement
