Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of joints.
- Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative arthritis, results from chemical changes in the joint cartilage (the soft tissue between joint bones) that causes it to break down faster than it can be produced.
- Osteoarthritis causes "wear and tear" damage to the joint cartilage.
- As the cartilage deteriorates and gets thinner, the bones lose their protective covering and may rub together, causing pain, redness, swelling and inflammation of the joint.
Osteoarthritis can affect the hips, knees, hands, elbow, wrist, fingers, neck and low back. It can be particularly painful in the wrist and fingers because those joints are used so frequently.
In some cases, osteoarthritis may develop as a result of another condition such as a previous injury to the joint; or excess weight that puts extra strain on the joint. This is known as secondary osteoarthritis.
Causes and risk factors
- Aging, which does not cause osteoarthritis but is a factor in developing symptoms
- A family history of osteoarthritis
- Other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis
- Repeated minor injuries or a single injury to a joint
- Osteoporosis
- Estrogen deficiency in women, particularly after menopause
- Vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is necessary for healthy bone and may also be important for keeping cartilage healthy. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with faster progression of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms
- Pain, which is usually is related to activity of the joint and is worse at the end of the day or after periods of activity. As the disease progresses, pain is present even during rest.
- Stiffness (lasting less than 1 hour) after periods of inactivity, such as in the morning after a night's sleep or after sitting for a long time.
- Limited joint motion
- Tenderness and occasional swelling
- Joint deformity (usually in later stages of osteoarthritis).
Diagnosis and treatment
Your physician will evaluate your symptoms and do a physical exam. Sometimes your doctor will include other tests in the evaluation. Other diagnostic tests include:
- Joint fluid analysis
- X-ray
- Urinalysis
- Blood tests
Although there is no cure for osteoarthritis, treatment can help you reduce your symptoms. Initial treatment options for minor cases include:
- Medication such as acetaminophen
- Exercises to keep your joints mobile
- Heat and cold therapy such as hot compresses or cold packs
- Corticosteriod injections
Surgical options
If you have severe osteoarthritis that doesn't respond to initial treatments, or if you have significant loss of cartilage, surgery may be an option to relieve pain and help restore function and mobility. Depending on the extent and severity of your condition, your orthopedic specialist may perform one of the following procedures:
Arthrodesis: In this procedure, two bones in a diseased joint, such as in the fingers, are joined (fused) so that the joint can no longer move and pain is relieved.
Arthroscopic debridement: In this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon uses a special TV camera and surgical tools inserted through small incisions to remove loose pieces of bone or cartilage that may be irritating the joint, and smooths the cartilage surfaces. This procedure can be performed on the shoulder, elbow and wrist.
Joint reconstruction / replacement: In cases of severe, end-stage arthritis of the elbow, wrist and fingers, either portions of the joint or the entire joint may be removed. The area may be surgically repaired, in the case of reconstruction, or replaced with an artificial joint.
Your UCSD orthopedic specialist will discuss surgical options with you and recommend treatment according to the affected area and the severity of your osteoarthritis. Any surgery will be followed by a period of rehabilitation to help restore function and mobility.
To schedule an appointment
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