Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, meaning the most common form of joint inflammation, and it is of degenerative origin. The main characteristic of osteoarthritis is the degeneration of articular cartilage, which is the tissue covering the ends of the bones in each joint. Its primary role is to act as a shock absorber, protecting the bones by preventing direct contact and friction between them during joint movement.
Over time, however, due to aging, increased joint use (as occurs in certain professions or sports), body weight gain, or following an injury, the articular cartilage degenerates and as a result It loses its ability to absorb shocks. These shocks are then transferred to other parts of the joint, such as ligaments and tendons, which become inflamed and cause pain.
Osteoarthritis is therefore considered a disease of older age and can potentially affect any joint, but it most commonly involves joints that bear the most weight or experience the highest stress, such as the knees, hips, and spine.
In its early stages, osteoarthritis presents itself with stiffness and pain induced by joint use. In more advanced stages, joint inflammation may cause swelling or fluid accumulation within the joint, known as a hydrarthrosis. Over time, this can even lead to joint deformity. For diagnosis, in addition to the patient’s history and medical examination, a standard X-ray of the joint proves extremely helpful.
Treatment for osteoarthritis can be conservative, minimally invasive, or surgical.
Conservative treatment includes pain relievers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, combined with patient participation through weight loss—which significantly reduces stress on affected joints and slows disease progression—and a structured exercise program aimed at strengthening muscles and stabilizing the joint.
The exercise program must be carefully designed in collaboration with a physiotherapist and the treating doctor, as improper exercise may worsen the condition.
Low-impact exercises such as swimming and walking are generally preferred, while activities like running should be avoided. Proper footwear designed to absorb shocks is always recommended. Ice therapy can also be helpful for painful joints, especially after exercising.
If simple analgesic and anti-inflammatory therapy, combined with the patient-led measures, does not sufficiently relieve pain, intra-articular injections of corticosteroids and analgesics may be offered as an alternative.
These injections can provide impressive relief, though the duration of symptom remission is unpredictable and repeated treatments may be required.
In recent years, there have been reports on the effectiveness of intra-articular pulsed radiofrequency therapy, although this approach is not yet fully validated. As age progresses, however, all conservative or minimally invasive measures may eventually prove insufficient, requiring the patient to undergo surgical joint replacement (arthroplasty).
