Osteoarthritis

Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, degenerative joint disease, and degenerative arthritis

Medically reviewed by Stella Bard, MD
Updated on March 06, 2023

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It develops when cartilage, the flexible tissue that allows bones in a joint to glide over each other, breaks down.  Osteoarthritis causes pain, stiffness, and swelling of the affected joints. While it is most common among adults over 65, people of any age can develop this condition. Treatment is aimed at reducing inflammation and pain and maximizing function.

Understanding Osteoarthritis

Man with degenerative arthritis works with physical therapist
Everything to Know About Degenerative Arthritis
woman with pain in her knees
The Stages of Osteoarthritis
causes arthritis
Causes and Risk Factors of Arthritis
A person examining their hands because of pain.
Everything to Know About Preventing Arthritis in the Hands
woman listening to music in workout clothes
10 Ways to Stop Arthritis From Getting You Down

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What causes osteoarthritis?

    It’s a common misconception that simple wear-and-tear on the joints causes osteoarthritis. While it’s part of the picture, genetics, metabolic issues, environmental factors, and trauma all have roles to play in the development of this disease. Age, gender, and other medical conditions may contribute to osteoarthritis as well.

    Learn More: Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoarthritis
  • What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis?

    There’s no single best treatment for osteoarthritis. You and your doctor should explore treatments and determine what’s best for you. You have many options, including:

    • Oral anti-inflammatory medications (such as NSAIDs)
    • Topical anti-inflammatory drugs and painkillers
    • Opioids (if milder drugs are ineffective)
    • Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronan
    • Surgeries, including total joint replacement
    Learn More: Treating Osteoarthritis
  • What is the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?

    Osteoarthritis: 

    • Degenerative
    • Caused by wear-and-tear of cartilage, genetics, and other factors 
    • Typically starts in one joint
    • Most common after age 65 
    • Strikes men and women equally 

    Rheumatoid arthritis: 

    • Autoimmune disease affecting the joint lining
    • Unknown cause 
    • Typically starts in multiple joints
    • Diagnosed most often between the ages of 30 and 60
    • More common in women
    Learn More: Osteoarthritis vs. Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Is osteoarthritis an autoimmune disease?

    No, osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disease. It’s a degenerative disease caused by normal wear-and-tear on joints as you age, combined with genetics and other factors. However, some other types of arthritis are autoimmune diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis.

    Learn More: What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Symptoms and Diagnosis

person holding knee
What Is Osteoarthritis?
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How Is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
Man napping on sofa
How Fatigue Impacts the Lives of Osteoarthritis Patients

Treatment

Old man with finger pain
Arthritis Treatment Goals and Options
osteoarthritis of the knee
Can Osteoarthritis Be Reversed?
X-ray showing total knee replacement
Is Total or Partial Knee Replacement Right for You?

Key Terms

  • Arthritis

    Arthritis is an umbrella term for more than 100 rheumatic diseases that all involve pain, stiffness, and inflammation of joints. Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are the most common types. The word “arthritis” literally means “joint inflammation.”

    What Is Arthritis?
  • Arthropathy

    The word “arthropathy” literally means “joint disease” and it can be used to describe any type of joint disease, including arthritis. A distinguishing factor between arthritis and arthropathy is that arthritis always involves inflammation while arthropathy may or may not.

  • Bone Spur

    Also called osteophytes, bone spurs are growths that develop along the edge of a bone, usually on joints but sometimes where muscles and connective tissues attach to bones. Bone spurs are common in osteoarthritis, and some doctors believe they’re the body’s way of trying to replace worn-away cartilage. They may be painful, limit range of motion, and cause other symptoms depending on the location.

    What Is a Bone Spur?
  • Cartilage

    Cartilage is a tough, flexible tissue that acts as a cushion and shock absorber for your joints. When you move, it provides a smooth, low-friction surface for bones to glide across. If cartilage becomes damaged or worn away, such as in arthritis, it leads to pain, inflammation, and limited range of motion in the joint. Cartilage is also in your ears, nose, and airways.

    Interesting Facts About Cartilage

A Closer Look at Osteoarthritis in the Body

Explore an interactive model that shows how osteoarthritis causes the thinning and destruction of cartilage, exposing the bone directly to the movement of the joint.

Types

women knee ache
What Is Early-Onset Osteoarthritis?
a male jogger having pain in his left hip
Four Stages of Osteoarthritis of the Hip
Patient describing wrist pain to physical therapist : Stock Photo settings Comp Add to Board Patient describing wrist pain to physical therapist
What Are the Risk Factors for Generalized Osteoarthritis?
Woman rubbing her neck
When a Pain in the Neck Could Be Osteoarthritis
Mature woman holding hand
How Erosive Osteoarthritis Is Diagnosed
MRI image of knee joint
What Is Bone Marrow Edema in the Knee?
x-ray showing mild osteoarthritis of finger joints
What Is Mild Osteoarthritis?
An illustration of a person with a bone spur riding a bike
Causes and Treatment of Bone Spurs in the Knee
Osteoarthritis nodules on hand
What Causes Bone Spurs in the Hand?
Rheumatology consultation senior
Interesting Facts About Cartilage
Magnified image of loose connective tissue
Functions of Connective Tissue
Knee X-ray
Subchondral Bone in Osteoarthritis: What's the Connection?
doctor evaluating senior woman's knee
Subchondral Bone Cysts in People With Osteoarthritis
Joint space narrowing evident on knee x-ray
What Is Joint Space Narrowing?
Man holding ice pack on his knee
Hemarthrosis Treatment: What You Need to Know
Cartilage loss.
Cartilage Loss in People With Arthritis
An elderly woman suffering from joint pain.
Causes of Popping Joints
An X-ray showing osteoarthritis of the knee
How to Manage Chondrocalcinosis
Hand osteoarthritis
How Hand Osteoarthritis Is Treated
woman taking medication
Aleve vs. Advil: What's the Difference?
Pain medication
An Overview of Cyclooxygenase (COX)
A woman with hip pain at the beach
Why Hyaluronic Acid Is Injected Into Arthritic Hips
an emu in the grass
The Truth About Blue-Emu and Topical Pain Relief
Monovisc. Bottle and syringe
Monovisc for Knee Osteoarthritis
A physical therapist performs a therapeutic ultrasound on a patient's knee.
Benefits of Therapeutic Ultrasound for Osteoarthritis
Man's knee
What Are the Dangers of Using Voltaren Gel?
Woman sitting with ice pack on knee
Thermotherapy or Cryotherapy for Osteoarthritis
knee injection
Intra-Articular Injections to Treat Joint Disorders
Doctor examining patient's knee
6 Things to Know About Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
Man with knee joint pain
What You Need to Know Before Taking Osteo Bi-Flex for Osteoarthritis
Woman icing her shoulder
Supplements for Joint Pain: 10 Effective Options
Surgery
How an Osteotomy Procedure Can Treat Arthritis
Acetaminophen vs. Paracetamol
Acetaminophen vs. Paracetamol: Is There a Difference?
Pouring red wine in glasses
Risks of Consuming Alcohol With Humira
Man with pain from knee osteoarthritis
Euflexxa and Synvisc: Hyaluronic Viscosupplements
Senior woman suffering from pain in knees at home. Holding her knee and massaging with hands, feeling exhausted, sitting on sofa in living room. Close-up. Medications and pills on table
What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?
Exam for tricompartmental knee osteoarthritis.
Tricompartmental Osteoarthritis Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Treatment
Doctor discussing outcomes with a patient
Euflexxa Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
A hand with osteoarthritis with Heberden’s Nodes
Heberden’s Nodes: Treatment and More
Arthritis of the hands of an elderly 90 year old woman on a white background
Bouchard’s Nodes Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments
X-ray with osteoarthritis
Unloader Knee Brace for Osteoarthritis
man holding onto knee
Valgus vs. Varus Knee Alignments: What Are the Differences?
Woman sitting on stairs outside, holding her knee.
7 Things That Can Make Your Knee Give Out
X-rays showing prosthetic knees.
Can You Kneel After a Knee Replacement?
arthritis hands trying to open prescription medicine pill bottle
Managing Finger Osteoarthritis
Midsection of Man Holding Thigh While Sitting On Hardwood Floor
What Is a Baker's Cyst?
Doctor showing patient knee x-ray on tablet
Chondrosis: Types, Risk Factors, and Treatments
An elderly patient talks with her doctor.
Should You See a Rheumatologist for Osteoarthritis?
Doctor and nurse look at x-ray - stock photo
How Serious Is Bone Marrow Edema?
An X-ray showing osteoarthritis of the knee.
X-Ray Evidence of Osteoarthritis
Physical therapist stretching woman's knee
Exercises That Worsen Osteoarthritis
Squats
Making an Osteoarthritis Weight Loss Plan
Woman massaging painful wrist at work repetitive strain injury
Osteoarthritis Diet: Foods to Eat and Foods to Avoid
Seniors weight training
Weight Training With Osteoarthritis
Woman having shoulder pain consultation with doctor
Can You Have Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis Together?
Osteoarthritis Knee ( OA Knee ). Film x-ray both knee ( front view ) show narrow joint space ( joint cartilage loss ) , osteophyte , subchondral sclerosis
What Does It Mean to Have Subchondral Sclerosis?
A small jar of Tiger Balm.
Tiger Balm Uses
Exercise can help prevent muscle atrophy.
Muscle Atrophy Types and Causes
Woman applying body lotion
Icy Hot: When To Use and Different Strengths
Senior woman vacuums
4 Great Vacuum Cleaners for Arthritis Patients
Senior woman suffering from pain in knees at home. Holding her knee and massaging with hands, feeling exhausted, sitting on sofa in living room. Close-up. Medications and pills on table
Using the Flector Diclofenac Patch for Knee Pain
Woman applying pain patch.
How Effective Is Salonpas Pain Patch?
senior man looking at medications
Effects of Arthritis Medication on Potassium
Woman receiving physical therapy for osteoarthritis
Massage Therapy Helps Relieve Pain for Osteoarthritis
A person stretching at home on a fitness mat
How Osteoarthritis Self-Care Offsets Symptoms
Page Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

  1. U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Arthritis-related statistics.

Additional Reading