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Osteoarthritis
Who Has Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability among adults. More than 20 million people in the United States have the disease. By 2030, 20 percent of Americans--about 70 million people--will have passed their 65th birthday and will be at risk for osteoarthritis. Some younger people get osteoarthritis from joint injuries, but osteoarthritis most often occurs in older people. In fact, more than half of the population age 65 or older would show x-ray evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. Both men and women have the disease. Before age 45, more men than women have osteoarthritis, whereas after age 45, it is more common in women.
How Does Osteoarthritis Affect People?
Osteoarthritis affects each person differently. In some people, it progresses quickly; in others, the symptoms are more serious. Scientists do not know yet what causes the disease, but they suspect a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury, and stresses on the joints from certain jobs and sports activities.
What Areas Does Osteoarthritis Affect?
Osteoarthritis most often occurs at the ends of the fingers, thumbs, neck, lower back, knees, and hips.
Osteoarthritis hurts people in more than their joints: their finances and lifestyles also are affected.
Financial effects include
• The cost of treatment
• Wages lost because of disability.
Lifestyle effects include
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Feelings of helplessness
• Limitations on daily activities
• Job limitations
• Trouble participating in everyday personal and family joys and responsibilities.
Despite these challenges, most people with osteoarthritis can lead active and productive lives. They succeed by using osteoarthritis treatment strategies, such as the following:
• Pain relief medications
• Rest and exercise
• Patient education and support programs
• Learning self-care and having a "good-health attitude."
Osteoarthritis Basics: The Joint and Its Parts
Most joints--the place where two moving bones come together--are designed to allow smooth movement between the bones and to absorb shock from movements like walking or repetitive movements. The joint is made up of:
• Cartilage: a hard but slippery coating on the end of each bone. Cartilage, which breaks down and wears away in osteoarthritis, is described in more detail below.
• Joint capsule: a tough membrane sac that holds all the bones and other joint parts together.
• Synovium (sin-O-vee-um): a thin membrane inside the joint capsule.
• Synovial fluid: a fluid that lubricates the joint and keeps the cartilage smooth and healthy.
• Ligaments, tendons, and muscles: tissues that keep the bones stable and allow the joint to bend and move. Ligaments are tough, cord-like tissues that connect one bone to another. Tendons are tough, fibrous cords that connect muscles to bones. Muscles are bundles of specialized cells that contract to produce movement when stimulated by nerves.
How Do You Know if You Have Osteoarthritis?
How Do Doctors Diagnose Osteoarthritis?
