Osteoarthritis may cause joint pain and stiffness. Certain medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery could help relieve pain and inflammation.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that causesTrusted Source inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joints.

It’s the most common type of arthritis, affecting nearly 32.5 millionTrusted Source people in the United States.

Over time, osteoarthritis may reduce mobility and impact your quality of life, but treatments could help slow the progression of the disease.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, types, causes, and treatments for osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis symptoms
Symptoms of osteoarthritis may vary depending on the severity of your condition and which part of your body is affected.

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis may includeTrusted Source:

joint pain
stiffness in the joint
loss of flexibility
reduced range of motion
tenderness or discomfort when pressing on the affected areas with your fingers
joint inflammation
crepitus, or grating, crackling, clicking, or popping sounds when moving your joints
bone spurs, or extra lumps of bone, which are typically painless
As osteoarthritis becomes more advanced, the pain associated with it may become more intense. Over time, swelling in the joint and surrounding area may also occur.

Learn more about the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis causes
Osteoarthritis is caused by gradual joint and cartilage damage.

Cartilage is a tough, rubbery substance that protects the ends of bones within a joint, allowing them to move easily against each other. With osteoarthritis, this cartilage breaks down over time, leading to bones rubbing against each other. This may cause intense pain and other osteoarthritis symptoms.

Researchers don’t yet know the underlying cause of this gradual joint degeneration, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin DiseasesTrusted Source.

However, several osteoarthritis risk factors have been identified, which may contribute to the development and progression of the condition. These may includeTrusted Source:

genetics, such as having a family member with the condition
past injuries, such as torn cartilage, dislocated joints, or ligament injuries
being age 50 years and older
being assigned female at birth
having overweight or obesity
having gone through menopause
having an occupationTrusted Source that involves kneeling, climbing, heavy lifting, or similar actions
having another medical condition that affects your joint health, such as a different type of arthritis
Learn more about the possible causes of osteoarthritis.

Types of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis may affect different parts of your body.

It most commonly affects the knees and hips, but it may occur in any joint. Other types of osteoarthritis include:

hands osteoarthritis
fingers osteoarthritis
shoulder osteoarthritis
spinal osteoarthritis
cervical osteoarthritis (spondylosis)
Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, which means symptoms may spread to other parts of your body. Having osteoarthritis in one part of your body may also increase your risk of developing the condition in other body parts, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Stages of osteoarthritis
Osteoarithis is a progressive condition that may be classified into four stages. This may depend on the severity of your symptoms and the degree of joint and cartilage damage.

The four stages of osteoarthritis are:

Stage 1 (Mild): You may experience early symptoms of osteoarthritis, but your cartilage is still in good shape.
Stage 2 (Moderate): You may experience sharp, acute symptoms. Your cartilage is showing signs of wear and tear.
Stage 3 (Advanced): You may experience constant osteoarthritis symptoms, especially when you apply weight to the affected joint. The joint cartilage is also almost completely gone.
Stage 4 (Severe): This is the most severe form of osteoarthritis. You may experience:
severe pain, stiffness, and inflammation
decreased range of motion
joint instability, such as sudden locking or buckling
other symptoms, such as muscle weakness, bone spurs, and joint deformity
During stage 4 osteoarthritis, you’ll likely need surgery to reduce your symptoms and increase mobility, function, and quality of life.

Learn more about the four stages of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis diagnosis
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that usually develops gradually. It may be hard to provide an accurate diagnosis in the early stages.

A healthcare professional will startTrusted Source with a physical examination and ask about your symptoms and medical history.

They may then order imaging tests to get a better look at your joints, such as X-ray or MRI.

In some cases, a doctor may order an ESR blood test or a synovial (joint) fluid analysis to see if other conditions may be causing inflammation or joint pain. Some conditions they may rule out includeTrusted Source:

rheumatoid arthritis
psoriatic arthritis
gout
pseudogout
hemochromatosis
bursitis
If you need help finding a primary care doctor, check out our Healthline FindCare tool.

Osteoarthritis treatment
There’s no cure for osteoarthritis, but treatment will aim to helpTrusted Source:

relieve symptoms
increase joint flexibility, mobility, and function
reduce inflammation
increase your quality of life
A healthcare professional can help develop the best treatment plan for you. This may vary for every individual depending on several factors, such as the severity of your symptoms and which part of your body is affected.

Your osteoarthritis treatment plan will typically include a combination of treatments. These may include:

lifestyle changes, such as exercise, sleep, and weight management
dietary changes, such as eating anti-inflammatory foods
natural remedies, such as yoga, supplements, and cold and heat therapies
over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
prescription medications, such as corticosteroids
physical therapy
assistive devices, such as knee braces
surgery, such as total knee replacement and osteotomy
Learn more about the different treatments for osteoarthritis.

Complications of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis may lead to a variety of physical, mental, and emotional complications if left untreated.

A common complication of osteoarthritis is increased stiffness in your joints, which could lead to impaired balance and mobility. According to the Arthritis Foundation, this may significantly increase your risk of falling, which could lead to minor or severe injuries.

Other possible complications of osteoarthritis may include:

poor sleep
weight gain as a result of pain or limited mobility
anxiety
depression
osteonecrosis, or bone death
erosion of the ligaments and tendons
hairline (stress) fractures
hemarthrosis, or bleeding near the joints
Learn more about the complications of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis prevention
You may have risk factors for osteoarthritis that you can’t change, such as heredity and age.

However, there are several modifiable risk factors that could be prevented with the following tips:

maintain a healthy-for-you weight
get at least 150 minutes of low impact exercise each week
manage your blood sugar levels, especially if you have diabetes
manage your blood pressure, especially if you have hypertension
eat a well-balanced, anti-inflammatory diet
use proper techniques when lifting objects, such as lifting with your hips and legs instead of your back
use assistive devices, such as canes
wear proper footwear
Learn more about how to prevent osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis
Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share similar symptoms, but they’re two different conditions.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, which means it increases in severity over time.

RA may also causeTrusted Source progressive joint damage over time if left untreated.

However, RA is an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy, soft lining (synovium) around your joints. As the immune system launches its assault, fluid buildup occurs within the joint. This causes stiffness, pain, swelling, and inflammation.

If you’re unsure which form of arthritis you may have, speak with a doctor. They can provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for your condition.

Learn more about the differences between osteoarthritis and RA.

Frequently asked questions
What is the best thing to do for osteoarthritis?
The best treatment for osteoarthritis will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms. Exercising, eating a well-balanced diet, and following your treatment plan could help improve symptoms, mobility, and quality of life.

What is the number 1 treatment for osteoarthritis?
The best treatment for osteoarthritis will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your symptoms. For example, lifestyle changes and natural remedies may be enough to help manage stages 1 and 2 osteoarthritis. However, stages 3 and 4 osteoarthritis may require more invasive treatments, such as surgery.

What should you not do with osteoarthritis?
If you have osteoarthritis, it’s best to avoid high impact activities, twisting the affected joint, or putting excessive strain on the affected joint.

Takeaway
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that may cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in your joints.

Although there’s no cure, a treatment plan could help manage your symptoms, increase mobility, and improve your quality of life.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you think you may have osteoarthritis. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that’s right for you.