Osteoarthritis
Condition
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis which is a condition caused by the swelling of the joints. Symptoms occur when the cartilage that surrounds the joints is worn down over time. High risk factors for osteoarthritis include repetitive use, your age, your weight, genetics, joint infections and/or an injury to the body such as a fracture.
Symptoms
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Joint pain
- Restricted motion of the joint
- Tenderness or stiffness of the joint
- Bone spurs, excess bone that can form around the affected joint
Treatment
There is no known cure for osteoarthritis, however there are many treatment options that can help to alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms. Some of these treatments include physical therapy, anti-inflammatories, lifestyle changes. If those treatments do not help to alleviate symptoms, then cortisone injections, joint replacement surgery or joint fusion surgery are other possible options.