Osteoarthritis

Most common presentation of patients with joints pain is Osteoarthritis.

Symptoms vary Depending on grade of Osteoarthritis.

• Swelling and tenderness of one or more of the joints.
• Joint pain and stiffness, which typically worsen with age.
• Deformity of joints.

Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

Joint injury or overuse: Injury or overuse such as knee bending and repetitive stress on a joint can damage a joint and increase the risk of osteoarthritis

Age: the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age.

Gender: women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis as compared to men specially after age 50.

Obesity: Overweight puts more stress on joints, particularly weight bearing joints like the hips and knees, increases the risk of OA in that joint. Obesity may also have metabolic effects that increases the risk of OA.

Genetics: people who have family members with OA are more likely to develop OA. People who have hand OA are more likely yo develop knee OA.

Race: some Asian populations have lower risk of OA.

The main goals of osteoarthritis treatments are to reduce symptoms and improve quality of life.