Aching Joints And Osteoarthritis

Do you have aching joints? Do your knees or hips hurt constantly? If so, you could have osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis.

Found in nearly 33 million Americans — most over age 45 — osteoarthritis is described as “wear and tear” on your joints. It’s caused by the breakdown of cartilage between the bones of the joints and tendons, as well as the ligaments around the joints. The culprit can be routine daily activities or sudden injuries.

Osteoarthritis typically affects your knees and hips, but it may impact your hands, lower back and neck. Severe osteoarthritis can make daily tasks, including walking and standing straight, difficult. It’s different from rheumatoid arthritis, a common autoimmune disorder that causes inflammation and swelling in the lining of your joints called the synovium. 

Who’s At Risk For Osteoarthritis?

Nearly everyone has some risk of developing osteoarthritis, said William Payne, MD, an orthopedic surgeon with Specialty Physicians of Illinois, LLC, and an independent physician who practices at Franciscan Health Olympia Fields.

“The lifetime risk of developing osteoarthritis is fairly high in men and women,” he said.

There are several risk-boosting factors for osteoarthritis:

• Getting older: Your likelihood of osteoarthritis increases with age.
• Family history: Arthritis runs in families. If your parents or siblings have osteoarthritis, your risk is higher.
• Sex: Before age 45, osteoarthritis is more common in men. Women are more affected after age 45.
• Obesity: Being overweight adds pressure to your joints, mainly your knees, hips and spine.
• Previous joint injury: Prior joint injuries, typically from sports, increase your risk for osteoarthritis in those joints.
• Joint deformity: Joint misalignments, such as bowlegs, make osteoarthritis more likely.

There’s no cure, but you can slow down osteoarthritis progression. And you can reduce the pain from your aching joints.

Pain-Reduction Strategies For Aching Joints

Staying active is one of the best things you can do to slow osteoarthritis, Dr. Payne said.

“Activity is one of the great components of treatment, especially for the hips and knees — joints that are meant to move,” he said.

If you have osteoarthritis, exercises that keep your joints comfortable are best:

• Walking: This exercise improves your balance and flexibility.
• Swimming/water exercises: These activities are easier on your joints.
• Cycling: Raising the bike seat for better leg extension is more comfortable for your joints.
• Elliptical machine: This machine mimics the treadmill but puts less strain on your joints.

Exercise also contributes to another tactic for reducing your pain and slowing osteoarthritis — maintaining a healthy weight.

“It’s not uncommon for patients preparing for joint replacement surgery to find that losing as little as 20 pounds reduces their symptoms of pain and swelling, enough so that they feel comfortable delaying surgery for a few more years,” Dr. Payne said.

Don’t expect major changes overnight, however, said Gina Saylor, NP, with Franciscan Physician Network Rheumatology & Osteoporosis Specialists in Indianapolis. Symptom improvement takes time.

“I always stress the importance of leading an active lifestyle, exercise, eating right and sleeping well,” she said.

Set small, realistic goals. Incorporate healthy habits, such as quitting smoking, individually rather than taking on multiple changes simultaneously.

What Osteoarthritis Treatments Are Available?

Sometimes aching joints stop you from being active. If so, don’t lose hope. You have treatment options for osteoarthritis. As a first step, your doctor may suggest medication, such as:

• Analgesics: These medications, including acetaminophen (Tylenol), tramadol (Ultram), and narcotics that contain oxycodone or hydrocodone, reduce pain but not inflammation.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): These medications, which are available over the counter as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) or naproxen sodium (Aleve), can reduce both pain and inflammation.
• Counterirritants: Rubbing a cream that contains menthol or capsaicin, the spicy component in hot peppers, onto your aching joints may disrupt pain signals, providing some relief.
• Corticosteroids: These drugs, including prednisone, are typically delivered via injection. They reduce inflammation in and around joints.

You also have non-medication options for your osteoarthritis. Knee braces may reduce pressure on your knees, increasing support and stability. Physical therapy also can improve your range of motion and strengthen the muscles around your joints.

Eventually, osteoporosis will wear away your remaining cartilage, and your joints will grind “bone-on-bone.” Your bones may become deformed, or you could develop bone spurs. If so, your doctor may recommend surgery or joint replacement, an operation that replaces your knee or hip joint with an artificial one. Based on your X-rays, your doctor will decide if you’re a good candidate.

“Joint replacement is an excellent option, and it’s life-changing for many patients who have limited mobility and pain,” Saylor said. “But it’s a final step in treating osteoarthritis, and that’s why it’s important for patients to actively seek treatment for the disease as early as possible.”