Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and causes disability to most of the people that suffer from this condition. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. People with this disease have joint pain and loss of function.

Osteoarthritis is distinguished by deterioration and loss of cartilage in one or more joints. Most affected are the hips and knees. The affected joints become soft, opaque and yellow. The cartilage beneath the bone begins to erode and osteophytes form.

Who is at Risk for Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis can be caused by developmental, genetic, metabolic, and traumatic factors. The strongest risk factor for osteoarthritis is age. Another condition that may lead to this disease is obesity.

How to prevent Osteoarthritis

Here are a few lifestyle choices that may reduce your chance of having osteoarthritis:

• Keep your weight within normal limits
• Avoid activities that promote stress on the joints
• Limit participation in recreational sports that can damage the joints
• Avoid activities that can cause trauma to the joints

Test to see if you have Osteoarthritis

There are several tests that the physician may do to determine if you have osteoarthritis.

• A history and a physical examination
• Routine blood work  
• Routine x-rays
• Computed tomography scan (CS)
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)

Secondary problems related to Osteoarthritis

A person suffering with osteoarthritis may suffer with secondary problems related to the condition. The secondary symptoms are as follows:

• Pain and fatigues
• Activity intolerance
• Impaired walking
• Chronic pain
• Nutrition imbalance

Treatment for Osteoarthritis

Here is a list of the treatments for osteoarthritis:

• Lose weight
• Rest
• Exercise
• Physical and occupational therapy
• The use of mechanical support devices

Medications that may be prescribed to Help with Pain

There are a few medications that may be used to help with the discomfort of osteoarthritis. Below is a list of the medications:

• mild pain relievers such as aspirin and acetaminophen (Tylenol)
• Medicine to relax muscles in spasm might also be given temporarily
• Pain-relieving creams applied to the skin over the joints can provide relief of minor arthritis pain---such as: capsaicin (Arthricare, Zostrix), salycin (Aspercreme), methyl salicylate (Bengay, Icy Hot), and menthol (Flexall).