Osteoarthritis

Causes

• Condition of wear and tear
• Associated with ageing or injury

• Not a condition of wear and tear
• Inflammation of joints caused by immune system mistakenly attacking healthy tissues

Age

• Usually after the age of 55 years

• Can occur at any age though more common between the age of 30 to 50 years

Onset

• Slow and gradual increase over the years

• Relatively rapid, over weeks to months

Joints affected

• Usually asymmetrical affecting the:
• hips,
• knees,
• spine and
• joints closest to the fingernails

• Usually symmetrical affecting the;
• -wrists,
• Knuckles,
• Ankles,
• Toes,
• Shoulders,
• Elbows,
• Hips,
• Knees and
• Neck

Symptoms

• Deep ache in joints after prolonged activity*

• Deep ache in joints during mobility and inactivity

• Morning stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes
• Swelling rarely occurs

• Swelling and stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes

Systemic symptoms

• No accompanying systemic symptoms

• May be accompanied by fever and muscle aches