Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

• Pain or stiffness in joints after periods of inactivity or excessive use
   
• Grating or “catching” sensation during joint movement
   
• Bony growths at the margins of affected joints

Causes of Osteoarthritis:

• The cause of OA is not yet known, but certain factors increase the risk of developing OA
  • Heredity
  • Overweight
  • Joint injury
  • Repeated overuse of certain joints
  • Lack of physical activity<
  • Nerve injury
  • Aging

Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis:

• The diagnosis of OA is typically based on a medical history and physical examination
   
• Doctors sometimes recommend that patients have X-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to rule out other causes of pain and to determine how much joint damage has occurred
   
• Joint aspiration, a procedure in which fluid is drained from the affected joints and examined, and blood tests also may be used to rule out other forms of arthritis the body

Management of Osteoarthritis:

• Treatment of OA varies with the severity of symptoms and focuses on decreasing pain and improving joint movement
   
• Treatment plans often include a combination of drugs, rest, exercise, joint protection, use of heat or cold to reduce pain and physical or occupational therapy
   
• For every one pound of weight lost, there is a four pound reduction in the load exerted on the knee for each step taken during daily activities
  
  ["Weight Loss Reduces Knee-Joint Loads in  Overweight and Obese Older Adults With Knee Osteoarthritis," Stephen P. Messier, David J. Gutekunst, Cralen Davis, and Paul DeVita, Arthritis & Rheumatism, July 2005; 52:7; pp. 2026-2032].
   
• Many people with OA use pain medications such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to help reduce joint pain, stiffness and swelling
   
• Losing as few as 11 pounds can cut the risk of developing knee osteoarthritis by 50 percent for some women.
  
  [“Weight Loss Resuces the Risk for Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis in Women,” David T. Felson, MD, MPH; Yuqing Zhang, MB, MPH; John M. Anthony, BA, BS; Allen Naimark, MD; and Jennifer J. Anderson, PhD, Annals of Internal Medicine, 1992; 116:535 539].
   
• Exercise keeps joints flexible and maintains or improves muscle strength
   
• Joint protection prevents strain or stress on painful joints
   
• Weight control is important for the prevention and to slow the progression of OA affecting the weight-bearing joints (knees and hips) and low back
   
• Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid derivatives can be injected into joints that are unresponsive to treatment
   
• Dietary supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have been shown in some studies of knee OA to relieve pain and improve joint function
   
• Surgery is an important consideration in people with advanced OA associated with joint damage and/or marked limitations in joint function

The Arthritis Foundation supports research, health education and government advocacy efforts to improve the lives of the nearly 46 million Americans with arthritis, the nation’s leading cause of disability. These services include:

• Number one ranked comprehensive arthritis Web site, www.arthritis.org
• Toll free information phone line: 1-800-283-7800
• Nearly 100 consumer educational brochures, booklets and books
• Arthritis Today, the Arthritis Foundation’s bi-monthly consumer magazine reaching 3.8 million readers per issue
• Water and land-based exercise classes, self-help courses and support groups
• Local chapter offices nationwide
• Physician referral lists
• Extensive funding of arthritis research grants at institutions nationwide
• Federal and state advocacy efforts to ensure rights and access to care for all people with arthritis