Osteoarthritis is a common joint disease in which cartilage has worn away. This eMedTV article provides detailed information about osteoarthritis, including its common symptoms, how many people it affects, and how it may be treated and prevented.
This eMedTV page explains that while scientists don't know exactly what causes osteoarthritis, they know some risk factors that make someone more likely to develop the condition. This page describes these risk factors (like gender and genetics).
Osteoarthritis tends to develop over time, mainly affecting the spine, knees, hands, hips, and neck. This eMedTV Web page provides detailed information about osteoarthritis symptoms, including a discussion of symptoms for each affected body part.
A combination of methods and tests are involved when diagnosing osteoarthritis; there is no single test. This eMedTV page provides an in-depth look at the process doctors use when diagnosing this condition, such as a physical exam and x-rays.
Exercise, pain-relief methods and drugs, and even surgery can be used as part of osteoarthritis treatment. This eMedTV Web page describes in detail these and other treatment options and when each one might be used.
This part of the eMedTV archives lists some of the drugs used to treat osteoarthritis, such as NSAIDs and corticosteroids, as well as some important things to consider before taking an osteoarthritis medication, such as possible side effects.
A "good-health attitude" can help people with osteoarthritis cope with the effects of the disease. This eMedTV resource offers some tips for living with osteoarthritis, including specific suggestions on how to maintain a good-health attitude.
There is no "diet for osteoarthritis" that can help cure or slow down the progression of the disease. But as this eMedTV page explains, people with osteoarthritis should control their weight and eat heart-healthy foods, such as fruits and vegetables.
This eMedTV segment discusses a recent study showing that acupuncture for osteoarthritis may actually help to manage associated symptoms. Acupuncture decreased pain and improved function for people with osteoarthritis in the study.
Gene therapy, diagnostic tools, and tissue engineering are some current areas of osteoarthritis research. As this eMedTV article explains, this research may help discover new treatment methods or even understand how osteoarthritis can be prevented.
As this eMedTV resource explains, researchers are studying whether osteoarthritis could potentially be treated with tissue engineering. Osteoarthritis patients could possibly benefit from various types of tissue engineering (such as gene therapy).
Seventy million Americans will be at risk of osteoarthritis by 2030. This eMedTV page discusses osteoarthritis statistics related to how many women versus men get the disease and how many people receive home healthcare for it, among other things.
In an osteoarthritis joint, the breakdown of cartilage can lead to pain, swelling, and other symptoms. This eMedTV article describes the various parts that make up a joint (for example, cartilage and ligaments) and how osteoarthritis affects them.
When it affects the knee, osteoarthritis can be linked to being overweight or having weak thigh muscles. As this eMedTV segment explains, injuring or overusing the knees can also cause it. Symptoms, treatment options, and prevention are also discussed.
