Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsDefinitionSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentLiving With OA
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Definition
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Living With OA
Mildosteoarthritis(OA) causes joint pain and stiffness. It commonly affects the knees, hips, or spine but can also occur in other joints. Stiffness is usually worse in the morning, while the pain often peaks at night and after use.
Mild osteoarthritis is treated with over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers and physical therapy. Cold packs, moist heat, and braces or orthotics can also ease mild OA symptoms.
This article discusses mild osteoarthritis. It describes the symptoms of mild osteoarthritis and how it’s diagnosed and treated. It also explains how to manage osteoarthritis joint pain and prevent further damage.
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What Is Osteoarthritis?
OA is a degenerative joint disease that causes chronic pain and joint stiffness.
Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, it occurs when thecartilagetissue in the joints breaks down with use and continues to worsen over time.Cartilagelines the ends of bones between joints and provides protective cushioning and shock absorption.
Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint, but it most commonly affects:
Mild osteoarthritis (grade 2) is the first stage of osteoarthritis where significant joint changes are evident on X-ray.
As cartilage begins to break down and wear away, the space between joints begins to narrow. This creates increased friction and pressure between bones and can cause osteophytes (bone spurs) to form.
Joint narrowing and bone spurs can be seen on X-rays in mild osteoarthritis.
What Is Mild Arthritis?
What Are the Symptoms of Mild Osteoarthritis?
Mild OA symptoms are typically at their worst first thing in the morning and at the end of a day. Symptoms of mild osteoarthritis include:
Joint stiffness often lasts about 30 minutes in the morning and resolves as joints begin to loosen once you start moving for the day.
How Does Mild Osteoarthritis Compare to Other Stages?Mild osteoarthritis symptoms can interfere with day-to-day activities at times but do not cause the disabling pain of severe OA. Mild OA pain can usually be managed with OTC pain relief, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Moderate and severe osteoarthritis may need more serious interventions or surgery.
How Does Mild Osteoarthritis Compare to Other Stages?
Mild osteoarthritis symptoms can interfere with day-to-day activities at times but do not cause the disabling pain of severe OA. Mild OA pain can usually be managed with OTC pain relief, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Moderate and severe osteoarthritis may need more serious interventions or surgery.
Causes and Risk Factors
Mild OA often develops from age-related wear and tear in joints over time. Anyone who repetitively uses their joints is at risk for developing osteoarthritis, such as:
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of mild OA or progressing symptoms include:
Causes and Risk Factors of Arthritis
How Is Mild Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
Mild OA is diagnosed using X-rays. Your primary care provider is often the first doctor to see if you have joint pain. They will:
Your healthcare provider may refer you to a physical therapist, rheumatologist, or orthopedic doctor for further evaluation and testing.
In addition to X-rays, other tests used to make a diagnosis include:
How Is Mild OA Treated?
A variety of treatment methods helps to manage symptoms of mild OA. Based on clinical research, the American College of Rheumatology strongly recommends the following interventions for managing symptoms:
Besides lifestyle changes, your healthcare provider may also recommend medications and devices to help you cope with OA symptoms:
Living With Mild Osteoarthritis
OA can slowly worsen over time if left untreated. While there is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, if detected early, treatment can help manage symptoms and slow progression and joint degeneration.
Lifestyle changes can help prevent mild osteoarthritis from progressing further to moderate or even severe levels. These include:
Summary
Mild osteoarthritis occurs when joint cartilage breaks down due to wear and tear and overuse. It causes joint pain and stiffness that, left untreated, can progressively worsen.
With mild OA, joint stiffness is at its worst in the morning but resolves about 30 minutes after you get out of bed. Joint pain, on the other hand, is usually worse at the end of the day or after heavy use.
X-rays are used to diagnose OA. Mild OA is the second stage of OA but the first one to be evident on X-ray. Mild OA is treated with physical therapy to strengthen the muscles around the joints and improve range of motion.
Mild OA symptoms can usually be managed with OTC anti-inflammatories and heat or cold therapy. In addition, losing weight and daily gentle exercise can help relieve OA pain and prevent further damage.
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(8):1886–93. doi:10.1007/s11999-016-4732-4
National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.Overview of osteoarthritis.
Arthritis Foundation.Osteoarthritis.
Kolasinski SL, Neogi T, Hochberg MC, et al.American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation Guideline for the management of osteoarthritis of the hand, hip, and knee.Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2020;72(2):149-162. doi:10.1002/acr.24131
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