Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis has many symptoms that can be quite difficult to live with. These include:

• Inflamed and swollen joints
• Hard swellings (bone spurs)
• Soft swellings (extra fluid)
• Creaking, grating joints
• Pain
• Stiffness

There are many factors that can increase the risk of Osteoarthritis. These include:

• Being 40+ 
• Gender - more prominent in women
• Being overweight
• Genes
• Joint injuries
• Joint abnormalities
• Joint diseases

Osteoarthritis affects people in different ways, progressing over varying periods of time. This can include:

• Usually develops over many years causing small changes to a joint
• Can develop quickly over a year causing damage to joints, such as deformity
• After a few years, symptoms remain the same/get easier

Examination

Your doctor may examine the joint and check for:

• Joint tenderness
• Creaking and grating
• Bone spurs
• Excess fluid
• Restricted movement in the joint
• Thinning of muscles supporting the joint

X-Rays

• Most useful test for diagnosing osteoarthritis, but not always needed
• Don't show how much pain and disability you may have
• Show bone spurs and narrowing between bones

• Walking stick
• Pick up aids
• Velcro fastening/zip pullers
• Hand rail/toilet raisers
• Wheel chairs
• Stair lifts
• Kettle tippers
• Plate guards
• Wheelchair ramp