Osteoarthritis Also called: Degenerative joint disease, OA, Osteoarthrosis Summary Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects your hands, knees, hips or spine. Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage absorbs the shock of movement. When you lose cartilage, your bones rub together. Over time, this rubbing can permanently damage the joint. Risk factors for osteoarthritis include Being overweight Getting older Injuring a joint No single test can diagnose osteoarthritis. Most doctors use several methods, including medical history, a physical exam, x-rays, or lab tests. Treatments include exercise, medicines, and sometimes surgery. NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Find an Expert Arthritis Foundation: Local Office Directory Arthritis Foundation Find a Rheumatologist American College of Rheumatology National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Specifics Arthritis of the Wrist American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Degenerative Changes in the Spine: Is This Arthritis? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Osteoarthritis of the Foot and Ankle American College of Foot and Ankle Surgeons Osteoarthritis of the Hand American Society for Surgery of the Hand Thumb Arthritis American Society for Surgery of the Hand Related Issues Bone Spurs Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Paget’s Disease of Bone and Osteoarthritis: Different Yet Related National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Encyclopedia Bone x-ray Cervical spondylosis Lumbosacral spine CT Synovial fluid analysis Diagnosis and Tests Bone X-Ray (Radiography) Array ESR (Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate) Test American Association for Clinical Chemistry MRI of the Musculoskeletal System Array Synovial Fluid Analysis American Association for Clinical Chemistry Clinical Trials ClinicalTrials.gov: Osteoarthritis National Institutes of Health NIH MedlinePlus Magazine Easing Arthritis Healthy Joints for a Lifetime Joint Health and Care: Prevention, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Living Better with Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis — What You Should Know Osteoarthritis Basics: The Joint and Its Parts Osteoarthritis: “No Pills Yet…” Osteoarthritis: Research Findings Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment Targeting Musculoskeletal Pain What You Can Do for OA Treatments and Therapies Easing Joint Pain: Are NSAIDs Right for You? Consumers Union of U.S. Glucosamine and Chondroitin for Osteoarthritis National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Managing Osteoarthritis Pain with Medicines: A Review of the Research for Adults Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality MedlinePlus: Hip Replacement National Library of Medicine MedlinePlus: Knee Replacement National Library of Medicine Shoulder Joint Replacement American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Shoulder Osteoarthritis Treatment (Beyond the Basics) UpToDate Time to Talk: 6 Things You Should Know about Dietary Supplements for Osteoarthritis National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health Treating Osteoarthritis of the Knee American Academy of Family Physicians Treating Osteoarthritis of the Shoulder American Academy of Family Physicians Statistics and Research Engineering Cartilage National Institutes of Health FastStats: Arthritis National Center for Health Statistics Genetics Genetics Home Reference: Czech dysplasia National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: familial osteochondritis dissecans National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: Loeys-Dietz syndrome National Library of Medicine Genetics Home Reference: X-linked spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia tarda National Library of Medicine Start Here Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Osteoarthritis National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases What Is Osteoarthritis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Videos and Tutorials How Exercise Can Help National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Using Assistive Devices National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Living With Knee Braces for Osteoarthritis Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research Living with Arthritis American Occupational Therapy Association Physical Activity for Arthritis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Array Osteoarthritis Osteoarthritis Tibial osteotomy – slideshow Journal Articles Osteoarthritis Patient Handouts What Is Osteoarthritis? National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Latest News Acetaminophen Won’t Help Arthritis Pain, Study Finds HealthDay Tai Chi: Rx for Arthritic Knees HealthDay
