Can You Prevent Osteoarthritis?

Is there a cure for osteoarthritis, and how can you prevent osteoarthritis from progressing?

As you get older, you may notice that your joints do not move like they used to. You may even experience increasing stiffness, swelling, and pain, which are all symptoms of osteoarthritis.

While age-related joint pain is common, it is not inevitable. The experts of USC Orthopaedic Surgery, part of Keck Medicine of USC, answer common questions about osteoarthritis — what it is, how it can be prevented, and how it can be treated.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a painful condition caused by the loss of cartilage — a strong, rubbery tissue that cushions your joints.

When joints lose enough of this cushion, the bones start to rub together, causing pain and inflammation. And once cartilage is gone, it does not grow back.

How does aging cause cartilage loss?

Over time, it is normal to lose some cartilage from daily wear and tear. Getting older, however, adds exacerbating factors:

• Loss of muscle mass
• Loss of flexibility
• Hormone-induced weight gain

People with a family history of osteoarthritis, certain developmental disorders, or injuries from sports, dance, or physically demanding careers face an additional risk.

Can you prevent osteoarthritis?

There are things you can do to reduce your risk of developing age-related joint pain. Even if osteoarthritis cannot be avoided due to high-risk factors, taking these steps can help minimize the effects:

• Maintain muscle strength with regular exercise.
• Stay flexible by stretching daily.
• Maintain a healthy weight.
• If you start to notice consistent pain with a certain activity, switch to a lower-impact form of exercise (for example, switch from jogging to bicycling or swimming).

Can osteoarthritis be cured?

Not yet, though researchers are working hard to find new ways to relieve inflammation and prevent cartilage damage. For now, treatment options include:

• Anti-inflammatory medicine
• Physical therapy
• Injections (corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, or stem cell)
• Joint replacement

Many patients see great improvements without needing surgery, so it is important not to lose hope. Finding the right treatment plan for your joint pain will make a big difference.

If you are experiencing age-related joint pain or are concerned about your osteoarthritis risk, the expert physicians of USC Orthopaedic Surgery can help.

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