Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentHow To CopeFrequently Asked Questions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
How To Cope
Frequently Asked Questions
This article discusses the symptoms and causes of osteoarthritis, as well as treatment options and how to cope with the condition.
Krisanapong Detraphiphat / Getty Images
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, although it’s most common in the back and spine, hips, knees, neck and shoulders, and fingers and hands.
Am I At Risk of Osteoarthritis?Anyone who repetitively overuses their joints, including athletes, military personnel, and those with physically demanding jobs, may be at an increased risk of developing early-onset osteoarthritis.
Am I At Risk of Osteoarthritis?
Anyone who repetitively overuses their joints, including athletes, military personnel, and those with physically demanding jobs, may be at an increased risk of developing early-onset osteoarthritis.
Common symptoms of early-onset osteoarthritis include:
As osteoarthritis progresses, it can lead to increasedjoint inflammationand disability. With advancedstages of osteoarthritis, you may experience:
Early-onset osteoarthritis often develops from wear and tear on joints that occurs over time, although certain risk factors increase the likelihood ofdeveloping osteoarthritis. These include:
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Todiagnose osteoarthritis, you’ll first want to schedule a visit with your primary healthcare provider to discuss your symptoms, medical history, the medications you use, and any other medical concerns.
Preventing Joint DamageAn early diagnosis of osteoarthritis can delay the progression of the disease and promote quality of life.
Preventing Joint Damage
An early diagnosis of osteoarthritis can delay the progression of the disease and promote quality of life.
Your healthcare provider will conduct a physical examination to assess your joint mobility, strength, andrange of motionand check for joint or soft tissue tenderness.
Typically, an X-ray of the joints in which you’re experiencing symptoms is the standard for diagnosing osteoarthritis. When the space between joints is shown to be decreased on X-ray images, it indicates joint space narrowing from cartilage degradation.
Besides X-rays, your healthcare provider may also perform the following tests to make a diagnosis:
The earlier a diagnosis is made, the sooner you can begin treatment to prevent worsening of your osteoarthritis. This can help you to avoid more significant and permanent joint damage.
Early diagnosis and proper treatment of early-onset osteoarthritis are key to preventing or minimizing permanent joint damage.
Treatment optionsfor managing symptoms of early-onset arthritis and preventing disease progression include:
How to Cope With Early-Onset Osteoarthritis
Tips for a healthy lifestyle include:
Summary
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Early-onset osteoarthritis can occur at any age under 50 years old and is more likely to occur in people with certain risk factors. Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that can worsen over time if left untreated. Early diagnosis and treatment are key to slowing disease progression and promoting quality of life.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, although it’s most common in the back and spine, hips, knees, neck and shoulders, and fingers and hands. Treatment for the condition includes rest, natural remedies like supplements and physical therapy, OTC medications, and prescription drugs or surgery when necessary.
It’s also important to keep a healthy lifestyle. Having a strong support network of friends and family can also help you manage your condition and improve your overall quality of life.
Joint Pain Causes and Treatment Options
A Word From Verywell
There’s currently no known cure for osteoarthritis, but treatment can help manage symptoms and slow disease progression.
If you’ve been experiencing chronic joint pain, stiffness, decreased mobility, or swelling for more than three months, it’s important to see a healthcare provider and address your symptoms.
Detecting and effectively managing your early-onset osteoarthritis early on in the disease process can prevent it from progressing further.
Frequently Asked QuestionsThe World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Kellgren-Lawrence classification as the standardized criteria for diagnosing osteoarthritis. The Kellgren-Lawrence classification is the most widely used clinical tool for diagnosing osteoarthritis and categorizes osteoarthritis into the following stages:Stage one (minor): Minimal or no joint space narrowing with possible bone spursStage two (mild): Possible joint space narrowing with definite osteophyte formationStage three (moderate): Definite joint space narrowing, moderate osteophyte formation, mild sclerosis, and possible deformation of bone endsStage four (severe): Severe joint space narrowing, large osteophyte formation, marked sclerosis, definite deformation of bone endsEarly-onset osteoarthritis can be diagnosed at any age under 50 years old.The main causes of early-onset osteoarthritis include a history of joint trauma or injury, being overweight, and joint malalignment.While early-onset osteoarthritis isn’t reversible, joint protection strategies and strengthening exercises can help decrease symptoms and prevent progression and worsening of joint damage.In progressive stages of osteoarthritis, any weight-bearing activity, such as standing and walking, can increase pain in arthritic hips and knees. Walking, however, is important and shouldn’t be avoided. Exercises that work to strengthen the supporting muscles of the hip and knees should be performed to help decrease pressure within joints, make walking more comfortable, and prevent the worsening of osteoarthritis symptoms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Kellgren-Lawrence classification as the standardized criteria for diagnosing osteoarthritis. The Kellgren-Lawrence classification is the most widely used clinical tool for diagnosing osteoarthritis and categorizes osteoarthritis into the following stages:Stage one (minor): Minimal or no joint space narrowing with possible bone spursStage two (mild): Possible joint space narrowing with definite osteophyte formationStage three (moderate): Definite joint space narrowing, moderate osteophyte formation, mild sclerosis, and possible deformation of bone endsStage four (severe): Severe joint space narrowing, large osteophyte formation, marked sclerosis, definite deformation of bone ends
The World Health Organization (WHO) adopted the Kellgren-Lawrence classification as the standardized criteria for diagnosing osteoarthritis. The Kellgren-Lawrence classification is the most widely used clinical tool for diagnosing osteoarthritis and categorizes osteoarthritis into the following stages:
Early-onset osteoarthritis can be diagnosed at any age under 50 years old.
The main causes of early-onset osteoarthritis include a history of joint trauma or injury, being overweight, and joint malalignment.
While early-onset osteoarthritis isn’t reversible, joint protection strategies and strengthening exercises can help decrease symptoms and prevent progression and worsening of joint damage.
In progressive stages of osteoarthritis, any weight-bearing activity, such as standing and walking, can increase pain in arthritic hips and knees. Walking, however, is important and shouldn’t be avoided. Exercises that work to strengthen the supporting muscles of the hip and knees should be performed to help decrease pressure within joints, make walking more comfortable, and prevent the worsening of osteoarthritis symptoms.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Kohn MD, Sassoon AA, Fernando ND.Classifications in Brief: Kellgren-Lawrence Classification of Osteoarthritis.Clin Orthop Relat Res.2016:474;1886–1893. doi: 10.1007/s11999-016-4732-4
Felson DT, Hodgson R.Identifying and treating preclinical and early osteoarthritis.Rheum Dis Clin North Am. 2014;40(4):699-710. doi:10.1016/j.rdc.2014.07.012
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, Oatis C, Guyatt G, Block J, Callahan L, Copenhaver C, Dodge C, Felson D, Gellar K, Harvey WF, Hawker G, Herzig E, Kwoh CK, Nelson AE, Samuels J, Scanzello C, White D, Wise B, Altman RD, DiRenzo D, Fontanarosa J, Giradi G, Ishimori M, Misra D, Shah AA, Shmagel AK, Thoma LM, Turgunbaev M, Turner AS, Reston J.2019 American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020 Feb;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.5 proven ways to manage arthritis.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
