Aching Joints And Osteoarthritis

March 02, 2026

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.

Key Takeaways: Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, or OA, is a common cause of aching joints and stiffness among adults ages 45 and older. OA can lead to changes in your bone, cartilage and other joint tissues.
Regular physical activity and medications are among the strategies to keep osteoarthritis pain under control. In more advanced cases of osteoarthritis, joint replacement may be recommended.

Who’s At Risk For Osteoarthritis?

Nearly everyone has some risk of developing osteoarthritis, said James Hartson, MD, DPM, FAAOS, a Michigan City orthopedic surgeon with Franciscan Physician Network Coolspring Health Center.

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

Factors that can put you at higher risk of OA include:

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.

Can You Cure Osteoarthritis?

You may be able to slow down your osteoarthritis progression, but there is no cure for OA.

Pain-Reduction Strategies For Aching Joints

You can reduce the pain from your aching joints. People living with osteoarthritis have several strategies for reducing pain and inflammation.

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.

Regular activity

Staying active is one of the best things you can do to slow osteoarthritis, Dr. Hartson 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, low-impact 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.

If needed, a physical therapist can prescribe therapeutic exercises based on your strengths and limitations.

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

Weight loss

“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. Hartson said.

Stop smoking

Smoking adds to inflammation in your body, among other negative health effects. Researchers at Clemson University have reported a link between smoking and accelerated osteoarthritis progression.

What Osteoarthritis Treatments Are Available?

Sometimes aching joints stop you from being active. If so, don’t lose hope. You have non-surgical treatment options for osteoarthritis.

Medications 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.

Non-medication options for osteoarthritis management

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.

Surgery for most advanced cases

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.”