Frequently Asked Questions About Osteoarthritis (OA)

• What is Osteoarthritis?
  Osteoarthritis (OA) is a progressive disease that can attack any joint but most frequently involves the knees, spine, fingers and hips. The disease causes the cartilage in the joints to deteriorate, resulting in significant pain and loss of mobility.

  OA is, by far, the most common of all the types of arthritis, affecting 1 in 10 Canadians.

• What are the symptoms of OA?
  The early symptoms of this type of arthritis tend to be mild – so mild, in fact, that they're easy to miss.

  If any of the following conditions persist for two weeks or more, talk with your doctor. The more frequently these symptoms occur, the more likely it is that osteoarthritis may be developing:

  • stiffness of the joints upon awakening
  • swollen joints or joint pain
  • "popping" or grinding sounds in a joint
  • a warm sensation in one or more joints
  • inflammation (a symptom of advanced osteoarthritis)
  • loss of joint mobility

    Early diagnosis and intervention can often mean less joint damage and less pain. Consider enrolling in Take Charge! An Early Intervention for Osteoarthritis program offered by The Arthritis Society.

• Can OA be cured?
  Not yet. However, physicians now know more than ever before about the best treatments for arthritis and how to slow down the progression of some types of arthritis, including OA. Advances in pain management, physical therapy and preventive care address some of the symptoms of arthritis while we close in on a cure for this disease.
• Is it good to exercise if I have OA?
  Exercise helps decrease pain and stiffness, helps maintain joint movement and flexibility, increases circulation for healthier joints and cartilage, helps increase or maintain muscle strength, and helps prevent deformity. The Arthritis Society offers recreational exercise programs – Joint Works (land-based) and Water Works (water-based) – in communities throughout BC. Be sure to check with your doctor before starting any exercise programs.
• Is there a special diet for people with OA?
  A balanced diet is important for everyone, but even more so for people suffering from osteoarthritis. In general, nutrition experts recommend eating a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, breads, lean meat and low-fat dairy products, keeping fats and sugars to a minimum. Keeping your weight down with a balanced diet is one of the best things you can do for your OA.

  Additional information on diet and supplements is available from The Arthritis Society or from your doctor.

• Does climate affect OA?
  Change of weather, such as a rise in humidity or a fall in barometric pressure, may make the pain in your joints worsen temporarily. Climate does not otherwise have an affect on arthritis and it will not make its course any worse in the long term.

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