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 cartilage be repaired in such a case? In fact, surgeons in Sweden began performing this type of surgery more than [...]

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 pain from the impact of exercise done on land. A heated pool is a great environment for exercise. It major [...]

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 or meridians. Blockages in these meridians result in an imbalance of qi, which results in disease. The traditional acupuncturist seeks [...]

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 been shown to reduce the symptoms of the disease. However, when these conservative treatments no longer provide relief, surgery is [...]

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 a lower risk of surgical complications than more invasive surgeries, reduce the amount of time you must spend in the [...]

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 as a joint effusion. All of the movable (diarthrodial) joints in the body are surrounded by a layer of cells [...]

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 hospitalized. These procedures include the injection of hyaluronic acid, steroids, or even new cartilage cells (chondrocytes) into the joint; arthroscopic [...]

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 theorized that doxycycline can decrease the amount of cartilage-degrading enzymes found around the joints. The results in human trials were [...]

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 investigation as a treatment for OA. Bisphosphonate One of a class of drugs used to maintain or improve bone density. [...]

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, lubricating, and protective agent and may boost the shock-absorbing properties of a person’s joints. Recognizing hyaluronic acid’s many functions in [...]

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 serve as a basic skeleton for these organisms’ pigments. Humans have used these substances for centuries for their laxative properties [...]

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 precursor to a glycosaminoglycan; chondroitin sulfate is the most common glycosaminoglycan found in human cartilage. The rationale for taking these [...]

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 is a component of a number of structures in the body and is believed to play a role in the [...]

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 feet. Foot pain in OA is not an unusual symptom. As in the hips, knees, and fingers, OA may affect [...]

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 keeps them from sleeping. This problem can lead to daytime sleepiness, irritability, clouded thoughts, and depression. Night pain associated with [...]

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 high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. The benefits of exercise in OA are especially evident with low-impact, weight-bearing exercises [...]

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 develop OA in both knees or in both hips rather than in just one knee or one hip. Interestingly, obesity [...]

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 (red meat and dairy products), processed sugar, or alcohol. Proponents of these diets contend that these substances cause “allergies” or [...]

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 each meeting and determine how much this pain is affecting your ability to function. This assessment provides a rational basis [...]

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 medication possible and with the safest medications possible. Regular exercise is very helpful in relieving symptoms and preventing disease progression; [...]