Warning Signs of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, the breakdown and wearing away of cartilage in your joints, afflicts more than 25 million people a year. It can strike anyone, but most commonly affects those over 45 who have lived an active lifestyle or who have sustained a traumatic injury. Detecting osteoarthritis early can help you avoid further damage.

So what are warning signs that you may have osteoarthritis? They include:

• Pain and swelling around a joint that lasts longer than two weeks
• Stiffness in a joint after getting out of bed or sitting for a long time
• A crunching feeling or the sound of bone rubbing on bone

Visit an orthopedic physician if you experience any of these signs. It is essential to listen to your body and not ignore pain or stiffness in your hip, knee, foot, shoulder, or spine, where osteoarthritis often occurs.

If osteoarthritis is diagnosed early, medication, exercise, and physical therapy can slow the disease, help alleviate pain, and reduce cartilage loss. Some cases of osteoarthritis, however, require surgery.

Advancements in surgical techniques, such as arthroscopic surgery, over the past decade have resulted in better outcomes for patients. Orthopedic surgeons are more specialized in treating specific areas of the body, and different surgical techniques are available to meet the needs of each patient.

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