Warning Signs of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, the breakdown and wearing away of cartilage in your joints, afflicts more than 20 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 orthopaedic 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, feet or spine, where osteoarthritis often occurs.

Many osteoarthritis sufferers require joint replacement surgery. Advancements in joint replacement surgery over the past decade have resulted in better outcomes for patients. But for many others, there are other treatment options such as medication and exercise that can help alleviate pain and reduce cartilage loss.

Click here for more information on osteoarthritis.