Main
- Osteoarthritis — gradual destruction of cartilage: the knees, hips, small joints of the hands and the spine are most often affected.
- The condition is managed by an orthopaedic traumatologist or a rheumatologist: if no such specialist is available, start with a general practitioner.
- Examination begins with a physical examination: radiography shows the bones and the joint space, tomography clarifies the condition of the cartilage.
- A doctor is urgently needed if the joint is swollen, reddened, or the pain makes it impossible to step on the leg.
- Maintaining a normal weight and moderate activity reduce the load on the joints of the legs.
What is arthrosis
Osteoarthritis is the gradual destruction of the cartilage inside a joint, which makes it move less well and hurt. The knees, hips and small joints of the hands are most often affected, especially with age.
What happens in the body
Joint cartilage covers the ends of the bones and allows them to slide against each other without friction. Over time this layer becomes thinner, loses its smoothness and no longer cushions the load so well. Because of this, the bones begin to touch more closely, and bone outgrowths appear at the edges of the joint. A person notices that movement becomes harder, stiffness appears after rest and there is a crunching sound when bending. Gradually the shape of the joint changes, and the muscles around it weaken because they spare the painful area. If nothing is changed, the range of movement shrinks more and more and everyday tasks become difficult. That is why it is important to discuss with a doctor as early as possible what exactly is happening to the joint and how to preserve its mobility.
What causes it to develop
- Older age: over the years cartilage loses moisture and elasticity, so it breaks down faster than it recovers.
- Excess body weight: extra weight creates constant increased load on the knees and hips, accelerating cartilage wear.
- Past injuries and joint surgery: after damage the cartilage does not fully recover, and over time this area wears out earlier than the rest.
- Heredity: if close relatives have had a similar condition, the risk of encountering it is higher because of the structure of the cartilage.
- Heavy physical labour or sport with stress on the joints: constant lifting of heavy loads and repetitive movements wear out the cartilage faster than usual.
- Certain joint and metabolic diseases: they change the properties of the cartilage and the nutrition of the joint, so destruction proceeds more actively.
Who encounters this more often
Osteoarthritis is more common in older people, but age is not the only thing that matters. It is detected more often in women, especially after hormonal changes, when bone density changes. Among men, the proportion of those who have spent many years doing heavy physical labour or sport with constant stress on the knees is higher. People with excess body weight encounter it earlier than their peers, because the joints wear out under the weight. Heredity also plays a role: if parents have had similar complaints, the risk is higher. Injuries sustained in youth also make themselves felt years later. That is why, when stiffness and pain in the joints appear, it is worth discussing with a doctor what is happening and which steps will help preserve mobility.
What symptoms can occur?
Arthrosis develops gradually, and its first signs are easily mistaken for ordinary tiredness after exertion. Understanding which symptoms indicate this condition and when urgent help is needed helps you see a doctor in time.
How it is noticed at the very beginning
Arthrosis begins with pain in the joint, which appears on movement and subsides at rest. A person notices discomfort after a long walk or climbing stairs, but puts it down to tiredness. Over time, the pain may also disturb them at night, disrupting the usual rhythm of sleep. Joint mobility gradually decreases, and performing ordinary movements becomes more difficult. During movement, crunching or clicking is sometimes heard, which is also attributed to age-related changes. In the mornings, brief stiffness occurs, passing within a short time. If such signs recur regularly, it is worth seeing an orthopaedic traumatologist or a rheumatologist without waiting for the pain to worsen.
Signs that occur most often
- Pain on exertion: occurs during movement and subsides at rest, and over time may also disturb at night.
- Crunching or clicking: appears on movement in the joint and often accompanies changes in its surfaces.
- Morning stiffness: is felt after waking up, but passes quickly and does not interfere during the day.
- Limited mobility: the joint does not flex and extend through its full range, which makes habitual actions difficult.
- Change in the shape of the joint: over time the contours change, and the joint looks larger compared with a healthy one.
- Swelling and a feeling of heat: the area of the joint swells and feels hot, which requires a doctor's attention.
When to seek help urgently
Examinations and tests
Examination for arthrosis begins with a conversation and a physical examination, while scans and tests only clarify the picture. Below is a breakdown of what exactly is prescribed and what information each investigation provides.
How the examination begins
The examination of the joint begins with questions about the pain and a physical examination, during which the doctor checks mobility and sensation. The patient shows exactly where it hurts and how long the unpleasant sensation lasts during movement. The doctor assesses how the joint bends and straightens, and whether there is swelling or crepitus on movement. Then they compare the affected joint with the healthy one to notice any difference in the range of motion. If the complaints point to changes in the cartilage or bones, scans and other investigations are prescribed. Radiography shows the condition of the bone structures, and if necessary magnetic resonance imaging is added. Blood tests help to rule out other diseases, and joint aspiration is needed if inflammation is suspected. Taken together, this information allows the doctor to understand the cause of the complaints and choose the further approach.
What is prescribed and what it shows
What is worth preparing for the appointment
- Discharge summaries: bring previous doctors' reports and investigation results to show the dynamics of changes over the past time.
- Scans: bring X-ray images and discs with tomography, if they were done earlier, including old investigations.
- Notes about the pain: describe on paper when and with which movements the pain occurs, how long it lasts and what makes it worse.
- List of medicines: list everything you take regularly, including over-the-counter remedies, so that the doctor takes this into account during the examination.
- Questions: formulate in advance what you want to clarify with the doctor so as not to forget anything important during the conversation.
Which doctor should I see?
The choice of doctor for arthrosis depends on how long the joints have been troubling you and what is already known about the cause of the changes. Below — who manages this condition, what areas of care it consists of, and which part of the result depends on the regularity of follow-up.
Which specialist manages this condition
Arthrosis is managed by a trauma and orthopaedic surgeon, and if an inflammatory nature of the process is suspected, a rheumatologist is involved. The trauma and orthopaedic surgeon assesses the condition of the joint, its supporting function and the range of movement that has been preserved. A rheumatologist is needed when the changes are accompanied by signs of inflammation and the nature of the process needs to be clarified. If there is no specialist of this profile nearby, start with a general practitioner: they will examine you, gather information about your complaints and refer you to the right doctor. At the first appointment, the doctor asks when the pain appeared and how it changes with activity and at rest. Then they examine the joint, check mobility and prescribe tests to see the degree of changes. Next, a care plan is discussed, which is selected individually for the specific situation. Write down what exactly makes the pain worse and at what time of day — these details noticeably help the doctor at the appointment.
What treatment consists of
- Pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory therapy: selected by the doctor individually to reduce pain and restore the ability to move without fear.
- Therapeutic exercise and physiotherapy: strengthen the muscles around the joint and help maintain mobility, so they need to be done regularly.
- Weight loss if necessary: reduces the load on the joints of the legs, which noticeably makes walking and everyday movements easier.
- A walking stick or orthoses: unload the joint in everyday life and reduce the load at times when it is difficult to manage without support.
- Surgery for pronounced destruction of the joint: discussed when other areas of care no longer provide the needed relief.
What depends on the patient themselves
The regularity of follow-up with the doctor determines how predictably the condition of the joint will change over time. If you come to an appointment only when the pain is severe, the doctor sees individual episodes and cannot assess how the situation develops between them. Scheduled visits allow you to notice worsening changes in time and adjust care before movements become noticeably limited. Home therapeutic exercise only works with consistency: rare sessions do not give the muscles the needed endurance. Avoiding unnecessary load and the reasonable use of a walking stick and orthoses reduce the risk of flare-ups in everyday life. Notes on when and from what the pain worsened make the conversation with the doctor specific rather than approximate. Keep a simple observation diary and take it to every appointment — this helps the doctor select care more accurately.
What helps prevent an exacerbation?
Reducing the risk of arthrosis flare-ups is largely helped by what depends on the person themselves: daily habits, weight and regular check-ups with a doctor. Below is what exactly is changed in everyday life and what is monitored so that the joints stay mobile for longer.
What is changed in habits
Maintaining a normal weight reduces the constant load on the joints of the legs and lower back, and therefore reduces friction in them. Excess body weight makes the cartilage and surrounding tissues work under overload, and this becomes noticeable when walking and climbing stairs. Regular moderate activity strengthens the muscles around the joint and helps them hold it better in movement. Calm walks, swimming and cycling are useful, whereas sudden jerks and lifting heavy weights have the opposite effect. Avoiding injuries and excessive loads is important because damage to a joint accelerates its wear by years ahead. Proper nutrition with sufficient vitamins and minerals supports the joint tissues and general metabolism. Timely treatment of joint diseases does not let the process drag on and turn into a severe form. It is wiser to distribute the load throughout the day and take short pauses than to endure and work through the pain.
What should be kept under control
- Body weight: it is measured regularly, because gradual gain is unnoticeable, and every extra kilogram increases pressure on the joints.
- Activity level: it is important to make sure that movement is daily and moderate, rather than rare bursts followed by rest.
- Pain sensations: they are noted by their nature and time of appearance, in order to understand which loads the joint tolerates worse.
- Past injuries: old damage should be remembered and reported to the doctor, as it increases the risk of flare-ups in the future.
- Nutrition: a diet with sufficient vitamins and minerals supports the joint tissues, so its composition should be reviewed from time to time.
- Well-being after loads: if a usual walk has become more tiring, this is a reason not to postpone a visit to the doctor.
How often to see a doctor
A regular check-up with a doctor is needed even when the joint does not bother you and movement is easy. The specialist assesses mobility, muscle strength and gait, and also compares the condition with the previous visit. Between check-ups, a person notices changes worse themselves: the pain grows gradually, and one gets used to it. The doctor sees how the load on the joint changes and advises what to adjust in habits. If visits are postponed until a severe flare-up, recovery takes more time and is harder. If new sensations appear — stiffness in the morning or pain after rest — it is worth seeing a doctor earlier than the planned date. A calm conversation with the doctor helps separate harmless fatigue from a sign that requires attention. It is more convenient to plan a visit in advance than to wait until the joint reminds you of itself with pain.
What is worth remembering
Arthrosis is a condition people live with for years, and how calmly and consistently a person approaches it largely determines their everyday wellbeing. Below are a few thoughts that help make decisions without haste and without unnecessary extremes.
Key takeaways
Arthrosis develops gradually, so there is usually no sudden "turning point" in how you feel, and changes accumulate unnoticed. It is not a one-off effort that helps you notice them, but the habit of observing yourself: how you tolerate exertion, what has changed in your movements, when stiffness appears. Arthrosis does not require constant tension and anxiety, but it also does not forgive prolonged ignoring of the body's signals. Many people put off a visit to the doctor, explaining the discomfort away as fatigue or age, and thereby lose time when helping is easier. A conversation with a specialist is needed not to get a ready-made answer for every case, but to understand your condition and build a sensible routine. The basis for decisions is not other people's stories or random advice, but your own observations and the opinion of a doctor who sees the whole picture. If arthrosis is already making itself felt, it is wiser not to wait for it to worsen, but to calmly discuss with your doctor what to do next.
