Osteoarthritis

According to the Arthritis Foundation, 66 million (nearly one in three adults) suffer from chronic joint pain and 21 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis, which is characterized by a breakdown of the cartilage and a deterioration of the fluid in a joint. The symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, from moderate to severe, and stiffness. Most people who have osteoarthritis are older than age 45, and women are more commonly affected than men.

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that involves the degradation of joints, articular cartilage, and subchondral bone as a result of mechanical stress.

Osteoarthritis Causes

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis Types

Living with Osteoarthritis

Causes of Hand Pain

Osteoarthritis and Diet

Osteoarthritis Triggers

Turmeric for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Complications

See more featured articles »

Should You Exercise With Osteoarthritis?

Easing Hand Pain in Osteoarthritis

Natural Ways to Ease Osteoarthritis Pain

Supplements for Osteoarthritis

Latest Osteoarthritis News and Research

Genetic risk score has potential to improve prevention of severe knee and hip osteoarthritis

A research team has developed a risk score based on individuals' genetic data to predict their likelihood of needing hip or knee replacement surgery for osteoarthritis.

4 May 2022

Obesity progression may contribute to the economic burden of the disease, studies suggest

Obesity is known to approximately double healthcare costs in the US compared to those with a healthy weight.

2 May 2022

Lipofilling produces lasting improvements for patients with painful finger osteoarthritis

For patients with painful finger osteoarthritis, a nonsurgical procedure called lipofilling – in which fat obtained from another part of the body is transferred into the arthritic joints – produces lasting improvements in hand function and especially pain, suggests a study in the May issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

28 Apr 2022

A cigarette smoke compound affects cartilage homeostasis

Cigarette smoke has been shown to deleteriously affect human health. For example, degenerative disc diseases are increasingly linked to cigarette smoking.

28 Apr 2022

Tablet containing cannabidiol effectively reduces pain after shoulder surgery

An orally absorbed tablet containing cannabidiol (CBD) effectively reduces pain after shoulder surgery with no safety concerns, a new study finds.

25 Mar 2022

Urgent action needed to stem the rising trend of obesity in Africa

Urgent measures such as taxes and restrictions on sugary foods and drinks are needed to stem the rising trend of obesity in Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned.

18 Mar 2022

Research finds link between long-term exposure to air pollution and autoimmune disease risk

Long term exposure to air pollution is linked to a heightened risk of autoimmune disease, particularly rheumatoid arthritis, connective tissue and inflammatory bowel diseases, finds research published online in the open access journal RMD Open.

16 Mar 2022

Novel method can help find the most appropriate exercise therapy for osteoarthritis patients

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause of chronic pain and disability in the world. While no good structure modifying drugs are available to prevent or treat osteoarthritis, various forms of therapeutic exercise have been shown to be useful in relieving pain and improving physical functionality.

16 Mar 2022

High childhood BMI may elevate cardiovascular risk markers in twenty-year-olds

Subjects having overweight and obesity at age 10 were found to have elevated risk markers for diabetes and cardiovascular disease by the time they reach the age of 20.

15 Mar 2022

A predictive model for COVID-19 outcomes

A new technique to solve unbalanced problems for the efficient management of SARS-CoV-2 infected patients according to comorbidities, age, and sex.

9 Mar 2022

Study suggests link between sleep apnea and joint pain in postmenopausal women

The menopause transition is associated with several health issues. The incidence of both sleep apnea and joint pain, for example, are higher in postmenopausal women.

2 Mar 2022

Study suggests history of childhood traumas may increase the risk of long COVID

In a new study, researchers found childhood trauma to be a risk factor for post-coronavirus disease.

25 Feb 2022

‘Injections, injections, injections’: Troubling questions follow closure of sprawling pain clinic chain

On May 13 of last year, the cellphones of thousands of California residents undergoing treatment for chronic pain lit up with a terse text message: "Due to unforeseen circumstances, Lags Medical Centers will be closing effective May 19, 2021."

22 Feb 2022

As covid slogs on, seniors find fortitude waning and malaise growing

Late one night in January, Jonathan Coffino, 78, turned to his wife as they sat in bed. "I don't know how much longer I can do this," he said, glumly.

18 Feb 2022

Regular physical activity at 70 may help ward off heart disease in old age

Twenty minutes of daily moderate to vigorous exercise in early old age (70-75) may best stave off major heart disease, including heart failure, in late old age (80+), suggests research published online in the journal Heart.

15 Feb 2022

New insights into perspectives of older adults and caregivers on healthcare navigation, decision making

As part of an initiative funded by The John A. Hartford Foundation, FAIR Health conducted a nationwide study comprising two surveys geared toward older patients (adults 65 and older) and family caregivers/care partners.

12 Feb 2022

Novel molecular signaling pathway plays a key role in producing osteoarthritis pain

Researchers from North Carolina State University have discovered that a particular molecular signaling pathway plays an important role in producing osteoarthritis (OA) pain.

27 Jan 2022

Macromolecular gel with therapeutic payload could halt or slow post-traumatic osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis affects over 32 million Americans, levying a huge cost on society. Unfortunately, other than analgesics, no pharmaceutical therapy exists that can slow or halt disease progression of a major subset of OA: post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA).

26 Jan 2022

La Trobe researcher aims to prevent the rise of knee arthritis in young Australians

Australians have the highest rates of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) knee injuries worldwide, and young Australians are most at risk, with a 74% increase in knee surgery in people under 25 since 2000. Half the people who’ve had a knee reconstruction develop knee arthritis in their 30s, which means a less active lifestyle and potentially even a knee replacement in middle-age.

25 Jan 2022

Researchers identify factors at midlife linked with 10-year declines in women's physical health

Among 55-year-old women, factors such as higher body mass index, smoking, osteoarthritis, depressive symptoms and more were associated with clinically important declines in physical health 10 years later.

9 Jan 2022