Osteoarthritis (OA): Understanding Degenerative Joint Disease
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis—a chronic, progressive joint disease characterized by:
- Cartilage breakdown: Loss of the smooth, load‑bearing surface covering bone ends.
- Subchondral bone changes: Sclerosis, cyst formation, osteophyte (bone spur) growth.
- Synovial inflammation: Low‑grade, intermittent synovitis.
- Clinical triad: Pain (worse with activity, better with rest), stiffness (<30 min morning), reduced range of motion.
Risk Factors
- Age (>50), obesity, prior joint injury, repetitive occupational loading, genetics, female sex (knee/hand OA).
Management
- Weight loss, exercise (strengthening, low‑impact aerobic), PT/OT.
- Topical/oral NSAIDs, duloxetine, intra‑articular corticosteroids/hyaluronate.
- Joint replacement for end‑stage disease unresponsive to conservative care.
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