RA
1
1
Moderate severity
· Orthopedics
Osteoarthritis
Worn cartilage · Wear-and-tear arthritis
Joint cartilage gradually wears away, causing pain and stiffness — most often in knees, hips and hands. Weight loss and strengthening are powerful.
At a glance
- Prevalence
- 1 in 5 over 60
- Typical age
- 50+ years
- Outlook
- Manageable, surgery in severe
- System
- Bones
Reviewed by a verified Orthopedics doctor
What causes it
Causes
- Age and wear-and-tear
- Obesity (knees especially)
- Previous joint injury
- Repetitive use
- Genetics
How it feels
Symptoms & effects
- Joint pain worse with activity
- Morning stiffness under 30 min
- Joint crepitus
- Reduced range of motion
- Bone-on-bone deformity in late
How it’s treated
Treatment & cure
- Paracetamol then topical NSAIDs
- Quadriceps strengthening
- Weight loss of 5–10 kg if overweight
- Intra-articular hyaluronic acid
- Joint replacement in severe
Staying ahead
Prevention
- Maintain healthy weight from young age
- Strengthen leg muscles
- Treat joint injuries fully
- Avoid running on hard surfaces if at risk
Do’s
- Walk and swim daily
- Lose 5 kg if knee OA
- Use a knee brace if helpful
- Try aquatic exercise
Don’ts
- Take long-term oral NSAIDs (kidney risk)
- Climb stairs unnecessarily with knee OA
- Ignore night pain
- Avoid all exercise
See a doctor immediately if
Symptoms are sudden or severe, getting worse despite home care, or interfering with sleep, work or daily life. Don’t self-diagnose from the internet — book a verified clinician below.
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Disclaimer ·
This article is educational and reviewed by clinicians, but it cannot replace an in-person assessment.
Medication doses, prevention advice and treatment choices vary by person. Always confirm with a doctor before acting on anything here.