Osteoarthritis: Joint Pain, Morning Stiffness and Ways to Manage It

What it involves

MedlinePlus explains that osteoarthritis, often shortened to OA, is the most common type of arthritis. It affects only the joints, usually in the hands, knees, hips, neck, and lower back, when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones breaks down and becomes rough.

Who this is for

• Patients with joint pain that gets worse with movement and eases with rest
• Patients who feel stiff for a while after getting up in the morning
• Patients with a past joint injury or surgery who now have ongoing pain
• Patients who want to understand their options before deciding on a joint injection or surgery

What to expect

• Questions about which joints hurt, when, and how pain affects your daily activities
• An exam of the joints for swelling, range of motion, and stability
• Imaging such as x-rays or lab tests if a provider needs them to rule out other causes
• A plan that may include exercise, weight management, supports, medicines, joint injections, or a referral

The usual symptoms

MedlinePlus says osteoarthritis affects people in different ways and not everyone has pain. The most common symptoms it lists are pain when you move that often improves with rest, stiffness especially for the first 30 minutes after getting up, swollen joints after heavy use, less movement in the joint than normal, and a joint that feels loose or unstable. Bumps of extra bone called bone spurs may grow around the joint.

Why joints wear down

Researchers are not sure what causes osteoarthritis, according to MedlinePlus, and think it could be a combination of factors in the body and environment. The chance rises with age, and after age 50 it is more common in women than men. It lists being overweight, a past injury or surgery on a joint, repeated overuse in jumping or throwing sports, a joint that does not line up correctly, and a family history as risks. The obesity and BMI guide explains how weight is measured.

How it is diagnosed

MedlinePlus says there is no specific test for osteoarthritis. A provider asks about symptoms and medical history, does a physical exam, may use x-rays or other imaging tests to look at the joints, and may order lab tests to make sure a different problem is not behind the symptoms. Other causes of joint pain include gout, covered in the gout guide, and conditions such as lupus or rheumatoid arthritis.

First-line treatment

The goal, per MedlinePlus, is to ease pain, help you move better, and stop it from getting worse. Treatment usually begins with exercises to improve strength, flexibility, and balance, weight loss if needed, which can ease pain especially in the hips and knees, and braces or shoe inserts fitted by a provider. Some pain relievers and arthritis creams can be bought without a prescription, and it is best to check with a provider before using them regularly. Heat and ice can help too.

Injections, medicines, and surgery

If those steps do not help enough, MedlinePlus says a provider may prescribe injections into the joint or prescription pain relievers. The practice describes its approach on the joint injections page, and a provider decides whether an injection suits your joint. Massage and acupuncture are mentioned as complementary options that help some people. If nothing else works, surgery may be an option, and you and your provider can decide whether it is right for you.

Which joint is it

Osteoarthritis can affect many places, and each has its own guide. See the knee pain guide, the hip pain guide, the low back pain guide, and the neck pain guide for what else can cause pain in those areas. A joint that is hot, red, and suddenly swollen, especially with fever, needs prompt attention rather than a routine visit.

Sources

• MedlinePlus — Osteoarthritis
• MedlinePlus — Arthritis