Osteoarthritis Disease Summary

Last updated: 07 November 2024

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Overview

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that affects a person’s quality of life. It is further described in the Introduction section. Information about the regional prevalence of this disease can be found in the Epidemiology section.

The Pathophysiology section describes the structural joint changes in osteoarthritis, while the Risk Factors section enumerates the factors that predispose the patient to developing osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is classified as primary or secondary based on the cause or major predisposing factor. Description of these types of osteoarthritis is in the Classification section.

History and Physical Examination

Cardinal features, signs and symptoms that suggest the diagnosis of osteoarthritis are in the History and Physical Examination sections.


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Diagnosis

The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) provides the criteria for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis, and these are enumerated and discussed in the Diagnosis or Diagnostic Criteria section.

The Laboratory Tests and Ancillaries and Imaging sections the work-up that may be performed for the confirmation of the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis is the closest differential diagnosis of osteoarthritis, although other types of arthritis can also mimic the symptoms of osteoarthritis. The Differential Diagnosis section has enumerated and differentiated these conditions.

Management

The Principles of Therapy section enumerates the goals and management strategies used in treating patients with osteoarthritis.

Therapeutic agents for osteoarthritis such as topical and oral analgesics and intra-articular injections are enumerated and discussed in detail in the Pharmacological Therapy section.

Different non-pharmacological modalities including physical therapy, thermotherapy, mechanical interventions, and other alternative therapies used in the management of osteoarthritis are discussed in detail in the Nonpharmacological section.

Educating the patient or caregiver about the disease is also an important aspect in the management of osteoarthritis. The Patient Education section discusses this in further detail.

The Lifestyle Modifications section (eg exercise, weight management) discusses the other measures that help in the management of osteoarthritis.

Surgery is generally indicated in patients with severe symptomatic osteoarthritis unresponsive to medical therapy and with progressive limitation. The different surgical interventions that can be performed on eligible patients are discussed in the Surgery section.

Indications for regular clinical assessments are in the Monitoring section.