Causes and risk factors of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs mainly in the knees, hips, fingers, thumb, neck, lower back and big toe. Sometimes there is an obvious cause, such as an accident or a congenital defect. Often, the cause is not precisely known and several factors play together.

Osteoarthritis can result from damage to cartilage, for example after an accident, from congenital or growth-related abnormalities, or from other joint problems such as rheumatoid arthritis or a damaged meniscus. Factors such as loose ligaments, abnormal position of the joint, weak muscles, heredity, age, obesity and heavy physical strain can increase the risk or accelerate wear and tear.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

With osteoarthritis, you may suffer from pain, stiffness and a number of other symptoms.

• Pain: Osteoarthritis can cause different types of pain: starting pain with the first movement after rest, pain with load that occurs gradually and sometimes pain at rest, and pain due to inflammation, where the joint may be hot, swollen or red.
• Stiffness and movement restriction: Joints may feel stiff after resting (starting stiffness), be stiff for a short time in the morning or limited movement due to pain and joint changes, such as less bending of the knee, turning of the neck or unwinding of the foot.
• Creaking joints: With movement, the joint may crack or snap (crepitate). This is often harmless and also occurs in healthy joints.
• Swelling and instability: Joints may feel slightly swollen, warm or thicker due to bony protrusions (osteophytes), often giving a feeling of instability.
• Changes in attitude: Progressing osteoarthritis can change the position of bones, causing postural abnormalities and affecting the load on other joints and muscles.
• Neck and back arthritis: Bony protrusions can press on nerve roots, sometimes together with a herniated disc, causing tingling or loss of strength in arms, hands, legs or feet. For these symptoms, it is advisable to consult a GP.

When to engage someone?

Do you have pain, stiffness or difficulty moving in one or more joints? Get the right help in time.

Contact your GP as:

• You regularly experience pain or stiffness that limits your daily activities.
• Your joint is swollen, warm or red.
• You are unsure about the cause of your symptoms.
• You want advice on medication, injections or lifestyle measures.
• You need a referral to a specialist or physiotherapist.

Consider a physiotherapist as:

• You have difficulty with movement or daily activities, such as walking, climbing stairs or lifting.
• You experience pain during or after moving the joint.
• You want to strengthen muscles around the joint to reduce pain and improve function.
• You want advice on exercises to keep your joints supple and strong.

Tip: Early action helps reduce symptoms and can prevent movement from becoming increasingly difficult. Don't wait until the pain is unbearable.

Practical advice for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis does not go away. How the symptoms progress varies from person to person. Try the following advice if you suffer from osteoarthritis:

• Keep moving: Move every day to keep your joints supple, even if you sometimes feel some pain. Walking, cycling and swimming are often suitable. Do you have difficulty moving? A physiotherapist or exercise therapist can guide you through this.
• Learn to manage pain: Develop ways to cope better with pain and perform daily activities more easily.
• Keep a diary: Write down how much pain you have and how much you move. This will help your doctor or therapist better understand your symptoms and give advice.
• Talk about how you feel: Prolonged pain can affect your mood. Discuss complaints at work with your employer and the company doctor; sometimes adjustments or other work are needed to keep functioning well.
• Watch your weight: Being overweight puts extra strain on joints, especially knees and ankles. Losing weight can reduce pain and relieve joint strain. Lifestyle programmes can offer support through a lifestyle coach, dietician, physiotherapist or exercise therapist.