Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disorder in the world. No one knows what actually causes it, but many people refer to it as the arthritis of wear and tear. Under normal conditions the onset of osteoarthritis does not come until a person is in the mid-50s or later. However, there are certain times and certain injuries that can cause earlier development. That is why there are a few things everyone should know about osteoarthritis.

While some people can have osteoarthritis without any symptoms or pain associated with it, for most, the condition is marked by swelling and stiffening of the joints and pain that becomes less with the rest. In addition, this particular type of arthritis worsens with changes in the weather, especially rainy or damp weather.

Another common symptom of osteoarthritis is a grating or popping in the joints that occurs with movement. Many people refer to this as being similar to the sounds made by a bowl of Rice Crispies. Morning stiffness and limited mobility are also characteristics of this condition.

Treatments for osteoarthritis include the use of NSAID medications, steroids taken orally or injected, use of heat or cold to reduce swelling, and analgesics or painkillers. One particular type of NSAID medication, known as Cox two inhibitors, while still on the market, is considered to be a high risk if taken over an extended period of time. This is because of an increase in heart attacks and strokes occurring in people taking this medication. Other NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen, are recommended only for short-term use the to an increased chance of gastrointestinal damage and formation of ulcers.

Corticosteroids can be prescribed by a doctor to use in conjunction with or separately from NSAIDs. Most often, these are taken orally. However, in severe cases, steroids can be injected directly into the affected joints. This is an especially common treatment for osteoarthritis of the spine. These injections are known as epidurals.

The pain of osteoarthritis can be managed with medications. However, it is extremely unlikely that a person suffering from osteoarthritis will ever again have a completely pain-free day. Normally, even with medication, the pain continues as a dull background.

In addition to medical treatments, physical therapy is often recommended for the purpose of strengthening the joints, the muscles, and the soft tissue surrounding. It is hoped that by strengthening these areas the amount of pain experienced by patients can be decreased without medication. It has been proven that strengthening the muscles around affected joints has the effect of increasing mobility and making it easier for the patient to perform normal daily activities.

There are also certain dietary supplements that are believed to help reduce the pain of arthritis. Glucosamine and chondroitin were once thought to help rebuild cartilage. It is now known that this does not happen, however, compounds containing these two substances have been shown to act as a type of lubricant that helps to increase range of motion in many patients.

In the absolute worst cases of osteoarthritis, surgical procedures have been created to trim, replace, or augment the cartilage in joints. In the case of spinal arthritis, a common operation is to fuse two bones of the spine, removing the cartilage from between them. Certain other joints have been successfully replaced using synthetic and or metallic compounds. These types of surgeries often provide some relief but, in some cases can actually make the condition worse.

While it is possible by controlling one’s lifestyle and diet to postpone the onset of osteoarthritis, this is a condition that affects nearly 100 percent of the population. For that reason, it is important that everyone learns as much as possible about osteoarthritis.