What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the type of arthritis that many people get as they age. It can happen at any age, but it is most common in older adults. Osteoarthritis is usually called arthritis.

Arthritis happens when the cartilage that cushions your joints gradually breaks down. A joint is any place where two or more bones connect, like the knee, hip, wrist, or shoulder. When the cartilage wears down, the bones rub against each other. This causes damage and pain.

When you have arthritis, even simple, everyday movements can hurt. Walking a few steps, opening a door, and even combing your hair can be hard. Symptoms may be mild to severe and may include:

• Pain in your joints.
• Stiffness when you get up in the morning.
• Muscle weakness around the joints.
• Swelling in the joints.
• Joints that are deformed and look like they are the wrong shape.
• Reduced range of motion and loss of use of the joint.
• Cracking and creaking in your joints.
• Sleep problems.

You can have symptoms in any joint. But they most often occur in the hands, hips, knees, feet, and sometimes the spine. Most often, arthritis only occurs in one set of joints, such as the knees. But it may affect more than one area of the body, such as both the knees and the hands.

Your doctor can often diagnose arthritis by examining you and asking questions about your joint pain, when it started, and when it happens. Your doctor will also ask if you've had a fever or weight loss. Your answers help your doctor make sure that something else is not causing your symptoms.

You may also have an X-ray (such as an X-ray of the hip or knee) or other imaging tests to check for joint damage.

Other tests, such as a joint-fluid analysis and urine or blood tests, may be used to see if there are other causes for your pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis or an infection. These tests often aren't needed.

Treatment for arthritis includes pain medicines and self-care. Self-care includes exercise and activity, staying at a healthy weight, putting ice or heat on a sore joint, and resting. You may also use devices and tools designed to make everyday tasks easier on your joint.

Treatment with medicines usually starts with over-the-counter medicines. Your doctor also may recommend different or stronger medicines.

You may need to try several types of treatment to find what works for you. If your pain doesn't get better with treatment, you may decide to have surgery.

There is no cure for arthritis. But treatment can help slow or limit the breakdown of cartilage and help you reduce your pain and continue to lead an active life.

There are things you can do to manage the symptoms of arthritis and to help prevent the disease from getting worse. You can:

Use pain medicine.

If your pain is mild, over-the-counter medicines may help. These include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and acetaminophen.

Make lifestyle changes.

These changes include getting enough rest, staying active, and staying at a healthy weight. Staying at a healthy weight is very important if you have arthritis in your legs or feet.

Use assistive devices.

Devices can take the stress and weight off your joints and make it easier for you to hold objects, open and close things, and walk. Devices may include a cane, a raised toilet seat, and large-handled utensils.

Try heat or cold on sore joints.

But don't use heat if the joint is swollen or hot.

Change how you do things.

Changes could include modifying your home, protecting your joints, and changing activities.