Osteoarthritis

Injury	Diseases	Nutrition	Poison
Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Osteoarthritis

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Arthroscopic surgery to trim torn and damaged cartilage
Changing the alignment of a bone to relieve stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy)
Surgical fusion of bones, usually in the spine (arthrodesis)
Total or partial replacement of the damaged joint with an artificial joint (knee replacement, hip replacement, shoulder replacement, ankle replacement, elbow replacement)

Support Groups

For more information and support, see arthritis resources.

Expectations (prognosis)

Every person with OA is different. Pain and stiffness may prevent one person from performing simple daily activities, while others are able to maintain an active lifestyle that includes sports and other activities.

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Your movement may become very limited. Treatment generally improves function.

Complications

Adverse reactions to drugs used for treatment
Decreased ability to perform everyday activities, such as personal hygiene, household chores, or cooking
Decreased ability to walk
Surgical complications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of OA.

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Review Date: 10/28/2010
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).