Osteoarthritis
Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is wear and tear affecting cartilage in the joints, causing pain, weakness and stiffness.
About Osteoarthritis
Need to know
-
How does osteoarthritis develop? icon plus
Osteoarthritis develops when the shock absorbing cartilage and related structures in your joints wear away, and is experienced more frequently as people get older. This is because a person's joints wear down naturally over time, after years of use. Obesity and joint injury can exacerbate osteoarthritis. Sometimes conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, gout or pseudogout cause the cartilage to wear away, leading to arthritis. Symptoms of the condition include:
- Pain — this can become worse when you move your join, weight bear, or at the end of the day
- Stiffness — your joints may feel stiff especially after rest
- Swelling — hard of soft swelling of the affected joint.
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed following a full medical assessment, which includes asking you questions, examining your joints and by performing X-Rays. The doctor will assess your joint for tenderness, creaking or grating sounds (crepitus), excess joint fluid, reduced movement, joint instability and muscle weakness. On the X-rays, the radiologist looks for bony spurs, narrowing spaces between the bones, and bone hardening.
Most cases of osteoarthritis are treated with physiotherapy, pain killers, activity modification, weight management and exercise. Swimming and cycling are good exercises that can help. Steroid injections can sometimes be used to help relieve symptoms.
If these measures fail to adequately control symptoms, and there is persistently poor mobility and quality of life then joint replacement surgery may be considered for worn knees, hips, ankles, and shoulders. Here, the worn joint is replaced with an artificial joint to restore mobility and relieve pain. In some circumstances fusion surgery is recommended, but your specialist will discuss the best option for you.
-
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed? icon plus
Osteoarthritis is often picked up during routine health checks, but you can ask your doctor for a diagnosis if you think you have the condition. The doctor will test your joint for tenderness, creaking or grating sounds (crepitus), bony swelling, excess fluid, reduced movement, joint instability and muscle weakness. They may also recommend x-rays, which show bony spurs or narrowing spaces between bones. MRI scans are also used to show changes in soft tissues such as thinning cartilage, and worn tendons and muscles. -
After diagnosis icon plus
Most cases of arthritis are treated with activity modification, changes in diet and exercise. Swimming is a good exercise that can help. Pain killers and steroid injections can help relieve symptoms.
If these measures do not work, keyhole surgery may be recommended to clear debris in the joint and try to restore mobility. Joint replacement surgery is also available and may be recommended for worn knees, hips, ankles, and shoulders. Here, the worn joint is replaced with an artificial joint to restore mobility and relieve pain. In some circumstances fusion surgery is recommended, but your specialist will discuss the best option for you.
Our consultants
Learn more about osteoarthritis
What is the difference between Osteoporosis and Arthritis?
Our facilities
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
-
The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
St John's Wood
London NW8 9LE
-
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
-
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
-
The Portland Hospital
205 - 209 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5AH
-
HCA UK at The Wilmslow Hospital
52-54 Alderley Road
Wilmslow
Cheshire SK9 1NY
-
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London W1G 8BJ
-
HCA UK at The Shard
The Shard
32 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9BS
-
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
-
Outpatients and Diagnostics at 30 Devonshire Street
30 Devonshire Street
London W1G 6PU
Book an appointment
Our team can help with any enquiries or you can make an appointment with one of our experienced consultants.
Call us today
020 7079 4344