Arthritis

Surgery for the repair of knee cartilage is commonplace today. It involves removing loose cartilage and smoothing the surface of existing cartilage. But what if cartilage is missing—can a defect in the surface of the...

Water therapy, also known as pool therapy, aqua therapy, or hydrotherapy, can be effective in reducing the symptoms of OA. In particular, it can be a soothing way to stretch your muscles and reduce the...

Acupuncture is a branch of traditional Chinese medicine. It is based on the premise that the healthy body circulates an energy known as qi or chi. This energy circulates between the vital organs along channels...

Currently, medical science provides no cure for OA. Nevertheless, many therapies can reduce OA-related pain and increase joint function, including anti-inflammatory agents, painkillers, physical therapy, braces, orthotics, and lifestyle changes. All of these measures have...

Arthroscopy is a form of minimally invasive surgery that is performed on joints that have been injured through accident or disease. Arthroscopic procedures can be performed without opening the joint. These types of procedures have...

OA of the knees sometimes causes fluid to fill the joint, which causes swelling and pain. While this condition is commonly called “water on the knee,” doctors may refer to the increased fluid more formally...

Many surgical interventions can provide relief of OA-related symptoms. They range from office procedures that your rheumatologist can do under local anesthesia to major surgery performed by orthopedic surgery specialists that requires you to be...

It is true that an antibiotic—doxycycline—has been evaluated in the treatment of OA. In studies employing animal models of OA, this drug has been shown to prevent or slow the progression of OA. It is...

Risedronate (brand name: Actonel) is a bisphosphonate—a type of drug that is used to treat thinning of the bones (osteoporosis). Other drugs in this category include alendronate (Fosamax) and ibandronate (Boniva). Risedronate is also under...

Hyaluronic acid is a clear jelly-like material that is found in many places in the body, including the synovial fluid of joints and the vitreous humor of the eyes. Hyaluronic acid acts as a binding,...

Diacerhein is one of the anthraquinones. Anthraquinones are organic compounds derived from plants and animals. They occur naturally in some plants, such as aloe and senna, as well as in fungi, lichens, and insects. Anthraquinones...

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate supplements are very popular treatments for OA. Unfortunately, robust scientific evidence that demonstrates their effectiveness in treating this condition is lacking. Glycosaminoglycans are the building blocks for cartilage. Glucosamine is a...

Glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate are both substances that are found naturally in the body. A glucosamine molecule is formed by adding an amino group (NH2) to a glucose molecule, thereby creating an amino sugar. Glucosamine...

Your foot is a complex structure that includes 26 bones and 33 separate joints. Even in people without OA, foot pain is often difficult to avoid due to the large weight-bearing load placed on the...

The joint pain associated with OA typically gets worse during exercise and improves with rest. However, when OA is advanced and joints are significantly damaged, patients may experience pain while resting—especially pain at night that...

Exercise is an excellent therapy for most people with OA. Exercise increases your endurance, muscle strength, and range of motion, and decreases your joint pain. Additionally, it lowers your weight and decreases your risk for...

Obesity is a risk factor for OA. It causes increased force across weight-bearing joints, which can contribute to cartilage breakdown and, therefore, to OA. As compared to non-obese people, obese individuals are more likely to...

Many claims are made that changes in diet can prevent, improve, or reverse the symptoms of OA. These diets suggest eliminating your consumption of red meats, “acidic” foods (such as tomatoes and peppers), fatty foods...

Pain can be the predominant symptom in OA, and it is a major cause of the disability associated with this type of arthritis. Your doctor should assess the level of pain that you have at...

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. Although it cannot be cured, its symptoms—such as pain, stiffness, and swelling—can usually be managed effectively. Doctors try to achieve this goal with the least amount of...

While you don't have to get a medical degree, learning more about your own disease will help you better understand why your doctor recommends certain treatments and asks you to avoid others. In addition, knowing...

When a person presents to a physician with complaints of joint pain and swelling, the doctor understands that numerous conditions could cause these symptoms. The history you provide and the results of your physical exam...

People with OA can develop swelling and redness around the joints of their fingers. Bumps around the farthest joints in your fingers (the ones farthest from your wrist) are called Heberden's nodes. They are typically...

Your doctor makes the diagnosis of OA on the basis of your history and the results of your physical examination. People with OA usually complain of pain, stiffness, or joint swelling, or some combination of...

OA is principally a disease of the joints. As a consequence, its symptoms include pain, swelling, and stiffness of the joints. The pain associated with OA usually has an insidious onset, is generally described as...