From the article: What Is the Prognosis for Osteoarthritis?
It's hard to know what to expect when you are first told you have osteoarthritis. Your expectations can align with the reality of what lies ahead or it can be hard to know what lies ahead.
Some people are completely unaware of how painful and severe osteoarthritis can be. Some are unaware of how many treatment options there are and ways to manage the disease. Many are surprised to learn there is no cure for osteoarthritis.
Describe your expectations when you first were diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Were your expectations spot on or do you feel that learning more about the disease changed your expectations over time?
OA expectations
- First, I was not expecting the diagnosis of OA. I thought I was relatively young and limber, albeit I'd experienced some stiffness that required more yoga to stretch it away, but I never expected to have OA. I thought the pain was a groin strain, so discovering that it was severe OA took some adjusting to accept. I had no idea what to expect since I didn't know anything about OA. I was shocked when the Dr. suggested hip replacement. I had thought OA was a condition for the elderly. I had no idea that the cartilage itself cannot feel pain so as it erodes, you have little indication except an increase in stiffness after sitting or in the morning.
- —Hennacat
