Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease in the world. According to Global Burden of Disease estimates, more than 595 million people were living with osteoarthritis in 2020, accounting for 7.6% of the world’s population. Early symptoms — pain with activity, stiffness, and reduced mobility — should be discussed with a doctor, as early adjustment of physical activity, regular exercise, and weight management can help reduce symptoms and preserve joint function.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease of the entire joint in which the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and synovial membrane undergo gradual changes.
Healthy cartilage covers the ends of the bones within a joint and allows them to glide smoothly during movement. It has no blood vessels of its own and receives nutrients mainly from the synovial fluid. Chondrocytes maintain the structure of cartilage by continuously synthesizing and renewing its extracellular matrix.
In osteoarthritis, this balance is disrupted: the breakdown of matrix components begins to outpace their repair. Gradually, the cartilage loses its normal properties, becomes thinner, and becomes less able to withstand mechanical stress. At the same time, the bone beneath the cartilage changes and becomes denser, while bony outgrowths known as osteophytes may form along the edges of the joint.
The synovial membrane can also be involved. In osteoarthritis, inflammatory changes may develop within it, accompanied by the release of inflammatory mediators that can intensify pain and contribute to further damage to the joint tissues.
Osteoarthritis can affect a variety of joints. It most commonly develops in the knees and hips, the small joints of the hands, and the spine.
Knee osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of the disease. Damage to the cartilage of the knee joint can cause pain when walking, climbing or descending stairs, as well as a gradual reduction in mobility.
Hip osteoarthritis often causes pain in the groin or the front or side of the thigh. Over time, it may become more difficult to walk, climb stairs, bend over, or perform other everyday movements.
In osteoarthritis of the hands, the finger joints may be affected, sometimes with the formation of Heberden’s and Bouchard’s nodes. When the spine is affected, patients may experience pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
The radiographic severity of osteoarthritis is commonly assessed using the Kellgren–Lawrence classification:
Stage 0 — no radiographic signs of osteoarthritis.
Stage 1 — doubtful changes, including possible small osteophytes.
Stage 2 — definite osteophytes and possible narrowing of the joint space.
Stage 3 — multiple osteophytes, definite narrowing of the joint space, possible subchondral bone sclerosis, and early deformity of the joint surfaces.
Stage 4 — marked narrowing or near-complete loss of the joint space, pronounced osteophytes, deformity of the joint surfaces, and subchondral bone sclerosis.
The severity of symptoms does not always correspond to the radiographic stage of osteoarthritis. Therefore, treatment decisions also take into account patient-reported symptoms, joint mobility, functional limitations, and the impact of the disease on quality of life.
Osteoarthritis usually develops gradually, and the nature of the symptoms depends on the joint affected and the extent of the structural changes. Pain with activity and brief stiffness are often the first symptoms. As the disease progresses, restricted movement, muscle weakness, and joint deformity may develop.
Osteoarthritis develops as a result of an imbalance between damage to and repair of the joint tissues. Over time, this leads to changes in the articular cartilage, subchondral bone, synovial membrane, and other structures. Various factors influence the onset and course of the disease, so in most cases it is not possible to identify one specific cause.
Depending on the mechanism of development, osteoarthritis can be classified as:
Risk factors for osteoarthritis include:
According to EULAR recommendations, weight management and regular physical activity are important not only for prevention but also for the management of established osteoarthritis.
A diagnosis of osteoarthritis is often based on the patient’s symptoms and clinical examination findings. The doctor assesses the nature of the pain, morning stiffness, range of motion, deformity, and other clinical signs.
Radiography is performed when it is necessary to clarify the nature of the changes, assess their severity, or rule out other conditions. MRI is used selectively when clinical assessment and radiography are insufficient or when another type of joint injury is suspected. Blood tests do not confirm osteoarthritis but may be needed to rule out other joint diseases.
The diagnostic findings help determine how osteoarthritis should be treated in a particular case.
Osteoarthritis requires a comprehensive treatment approach tailored to the affected joint, the severity of symptoms, and the extent of functional limitations.
The cornerstone of treatment is regular physical exercise, weight management in people who are overweight, and physical therapy.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used to reduce pain, while intra-articular corticosteroids can provide temporary relief, particularly in knee osteoarthritis.
Cell therapy based on mesenchymal stem cells is a promising area that is being actively researched. Clinical studies have reported possible reductions in pain and improvements in joint function; however, the long-term effectiveness and optimal treatment protocols still require further study.
When structural changes are pronounced and function is significantly impaired, and conservative treatments no longer provide sufficient relief, joint replacement surgery may be considered.
Current treatments for osteoarthritis cannot completely stop or reverse structural changes that have already occurred in the joint. The main goals of treatment are to reduce pain, preserve joint mobility and function, and maintain quality of life.
It is also important to manage body weight and maintain an appropriate level of physical activity.
Early consultation with a doctor makes it possible to assess the condition of the joint, adjust physical activity, and begin appropriate treatment in a timely manner, including cell therapy. This can help control symptoms and preserve joint function for longer.
If conservative treatment no longer provides sufficient relief and pain and restricted mobility substantially affect everyday life, surgical treatment may be considered.
“Patients often wait until the pain becomes unbearable and only then seek help. At an early stage, there is the greatest chance of preserving the joint and avoiding surgery,”– Dmytro Horban, orthopedic and trauma surgeon, Candidate of Medical Sciences, and Medical Director of ReoCell Clinic.
Some risk factors for osteoarthritis, such as age and heredity, cannot be changed. However, other modifiable factors can be addressed to reduce the risk of developing osteoarthritis or slow its progression.
Knee pain when walking, morning stiffness, a grating sensation in the joint — these are the symptoms patients most often describe during an appointment with an orthopaedic surgeon. Almost immediately, they ask the key question: how can the pain be relieved, and is it possible […]
In modern regenerative medicine, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) represent one of the most promising therapeutic platforms, offering new opportunities for the treatment of traumatic injuries, degenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases. However, the clinical effectiveness of MSC-based therapy depends primarily on the quality of the starting […]
One of the greatest challenges in modern clinical practice is that, despite the proven efficacy of many medications, a substantial proportion of patients with chronic diseases remain resistant to standard treatment. This phenomenon is closely associated with profound structural and biochemical alterations within the tissue […]
Closing this window, you agree that you have read the information below.
SELF-MEDICATION CAN BE HARMFUL TO YOUR HEALTH!
