Osteoarthritis

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Peer-Reviewed Article

Joint pain may be a sign of osteoarthritis, which is caused by the breakdown of cartilage and underlying bone in joints such as the hands, knees, hips, and others.

Cross section of the knee showing degenerated cartilage

Overview

Tibia (shin bone), femur (thigh bone), and patella (kneecap). cartilage damage, and bone spurs labeled in the knee joint.

What Is Knee Osteoarthritis?

Medical illustration showing acromioclavicular (AC joint) osteoarthritis in the shoulder

What Is Acromioclavicular Arthritis (AC Joint Arthritis)?

Medical illustration of the bones of the foot and ankle

Ankle Joint Anatomy and Osteoarthritis

Illustrated skeletal view of the shoulder. Osteophytes in the shoulder joint are highlighted in red indicating pain

What Is Shoulder Osteoarthritis?

Cross section of the knee showing degenerated cartilage

What Is Osteoarthritis?

Medical illustration of the shoulder bones with the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and glenohumeral joint labeled

Acromioclavicular Joint Anatomy and Osteoarthritis

Medical illustration of the bones of the foot and ankle

What Is Ankle Osteoarthritis?

Posterior view of an illustrated skeleton showing pain highlighted in red in the lower back

What Is Spinal Osteoarthritis (Facet Joint Arthritis)?

Illustrated skeleton showing the hip joints in red, indicating pain

What Is Hip Osteoarthritis?

Medical illustration showing the normal and arthritic bones of the hand

When Hand Pain Is Osteoarthritis

Video

Degenerative Arthritis Video

Posterior view of the lumbar spine and pelvis.

Hip Osteoarthritis Video

Anterior view of the upper body showing range of motion in the shoulder.

Shoulder Osteoarthritis Video

Knee Osteoarthritis Video

Symptoms of Shoulder Osteoarthritis Video

Shoulder Osteoarthritis Treatment Video

Physical Therapy for Hip Osteoarthritis Video

Weight Loss for Hip Osteoarthritis Video

Injections for Hip Osteoarthritis Video

Supplements for Hip Osteoarthritis Video

Surgery for Hip Osteoarthritis Video

Physical Therapy for Knee Osteoarthritis Video

Supplements and Medications for Knee Osteoarthritis Video

Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis Video

Surgery for Knee Osteoarthritis Video

Symptoms of Hip Osteoarthritis Video

Posterior view of the lower back highlighting facet joints in the lumbar spine.

Lumbar Osteoarthritis Video

Posterior view of the lumbar spine with osteophytes.

Lumbar Osteophytes (Bone Spurs) Video

Posterior view of the upper body with pain in the head and shoulders.

Cervical Facet Osteoarthritis Video

Anterior view of the upper body highlighting the ac joints in the shoulder.

Acromioclavicular (AC) Joint Osteoarthritis Video

Woman doing a wrist extensor stretch.

3 Gentle Morning Stretches for Osteoarthritis Hand Pain Relief Video

Symptoms

Posterior view of a skeleton with the lower spine highlighted in red to indicate pain

Spinal Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Illustration of the ankle bones

Ankle Osteoarthritis Symptoms

When the cartilage degenerates, this space narrows or disappears, which may cause the ends of these bones to rub together.

Acromioclavicular Arthritis Symptoms

Illustrated skeleton highlighting pain in red in the buttock, lower back, and hips

Hip Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Illustration of shoulder bones showing humeral head cartilage degeneration

Shoulder Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Skeletal view of osteoarthritis in the knee

Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Illustrated skeleton with a red glow in the shoulder joint indicating pain

Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Signs

Medical illustration of hand with arthritis

Recognizing Osteoarthritis in the Hand

Causes and Diagnosis

Medical illustration of osteoarthritis in the hip joint

Osteoarthritis Causes

Bone spurs can develop at the AC joint due to friction as a result of degenerated cartilage.

Acromioclavicular Osteoarthritis Causes

Arthritis causes back pain

How Arthritis Causes Back Pain

Medical illustration of inflammation in the knee joint

Knee Osteoarthritis Causes

Medical illustration of the bones of the foot and ankle

Ankle Osteoarthritis Causes

Illustrated skeleton showing arthritis in the shoulder

Shoulder Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Close up illustration of L5 and L4 in the lower spine with a compressed disc between them

Spinal Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Knee x-ray

Knee Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Skeletal view of the foot showing pain in the ankle joint.

Ankle Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Illustrated skeleton showing range of motion in the arm and shoulder bones

Shoulder Osteoarthritis Causes

Posterior view of the neck with cervical vertebrae highlighted

Spinal Osteoarthritis Risk Factors

Medical illustration showing nerve roots in the spine exiting through the foramen.

How Osteoarthritis Can Lead to Spinal Stenosis

Illustrated skeleton showing osteoarthritis in the hip joint

Hip Osteoarthritis Causes and Risk Factors

Illustrated skeleton showing view of range of motion of the shoulder joint

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Medical illustration of the shoulder bones with the acromioclavicular (AC) joint and glenohumeral joint labeled

Acromioclavicular Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Man grabbing hand in pain.

Risk Factors for Hand Osteoarthritis

Illustrated skeleton showing osteoarthritis in the hip joint

Hip Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

Doctor reviewing spine anatomy with a patient

Why Are Women More Prone to Osteoarthritis?

Treatment

Chiropractor performing a lumbar spine adjustment

Spinal Osteoarthritis Treatment

Physical therapist working with a patient's knee

Knee Osteoarthritis Treatment

Ankle with bones showing pain in the foot

Treating Ankle Osteoarthritis

Anterior view showing a shoulder replacement in the shoulder

Surgery for Shoulder Osteoarthritis

Physical therapist manipulating patient's shoulder

Acromioclavicular Osteoarthritis Treatment

Medical illustration showing compound of Hyaluronic Acid.

Lubricating Injections Can Soothe Knee Osteoarthritis

Medical illustration of a knee joint showing signs of osteoarthritis

Home Treatments to Decrease Knee Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Physical therapist manipulating woman's ankle

Ankle Osteoarthritis Medical Treatments

Physical therapists performing shoulder exercise with patient

Shoulder Osteoarthritis Treatment

Needle being injected into a hand.

Treatments for Osteoarthritis in Hands

Woman adjusting scale

Hip Osteoarthritis Treatment

Injection in the ankle

Ankle Osteoarthritis Injections

Person getting prescription pill bottle out of medicine cabinet

Osteoarthritis Treatment

Illustration of a spinal fusion surgery

Surgery for Spinal Osteoarthritis

Illustration of total hip replacement for hip osteoarthritis

Surgery for Hip Osteoarthritis

View of the leg showing pain in the ankle joint.

Ankle Osteoarthritis Surgery

Acupuncturist inserting needles into a person's back.

5 Alternative Treatments for Osteoarthritis

Wellness

Medical illustration of a knee joint showing signs of osteoarthritis

Home Habits to Help Prevent Knee Osteoarthritis from Getting Worse

Arthritic hands holding an apple.

5 Simple Ways To Manage Hand Osteoarthritis

Hands using and ab roller in the gym

Self Care and Exercise to Treat Spine Osteoarthritis

Medical illustration highlighting hip osteoarthritis

Researchers Say Exercise Therapy Relieves Hip Osteoarthritis Symptoms

A man in bed sleeping on his stomach

9 Ways You Can Sleep Better with Osteoarthritis

Closeup image on woman in heels on stairs holding her ankle

Ankle Osteoarthritis Lifestyle Changes

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cervical, thoracic and lumbar spinal discs in the spinal column

Spine Anatomy and Osteoarthritis