Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is sometimes accompanied by spinal stenosis—a narrowing of the bone channel occupied by the spinal nerves or the spinal cord.

Although not causative, knee osteoarthritis risk factors include obesity, age over 45 years old, and prior knee injury.

An accurate diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis includes a physician interview and physical exam as well as verifying the degeneration by diagnostic imaging.

Knee osteoarthritis symptoms can vary widely. Recognizing these symptoms early on can speed up treatment and help prevent symptoms from getting worse.

Treatment for knee osteoarthritis includes physical therapy, pain medications, losing weight, surgery, and therapeutic injections, often combining more than one.

Many known factors contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. Age, genetics, and even past surgeries may increase the risk of developing arthritic joint pain.

Getting a diagnosis for osteoarthritis begins with a patient interview and exam and may include lab tests and/or medical imaging.

Osteoarthritis can cause a wide array of symptoms, ranging from stiff and aching joints to bone spurs and a loss of range of motion.

There are many osteoarthritis treatments available today, with some such as physical therapy considered standard, some less common and possibly controversial ones.