Osteoarthritis in Older Adults: Managing Joint Pain in Pune

Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition that makes joints painful and stiff, most often the knees, hips and small joints of the hands. It is common in adults aged 45 and older. But it is not a normal part of ageing, and there are things you can do to manage the joint pain. Regular exercise, a healthy weight, physiotherapy and, when needed, medicine or surgery are the main parts of care.

The NHS says that with the right support, you can lead a healthy, active life with osteoarthritis. This guide is for older adults and their families in Chinchwad and across Pune.

What is osteoarthritis?

Inside a healthy joint, a smooth layer called cartilage covers the ends of the bones. It helps the joint move easily. In osteoarthritis, this cartilage breaks down. This can lead to bony growths, swelling and pain.

Joints go through small amounts of wear and repair all the time. The exact reason osteoarthritis develops is not known. Over time, it can change the bone, cartilage and other tissues in the joint.

Almost any joint can be affected. For knee problems, see our page on osteoarthritis of the knee.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Symptoms often come on slowly. They may be mild and come and go, or they may be there most of the time and make everyday activities hard. Common signs include:

• joint pain, often during or after movement
• stiffness after the joint has not moved for a while, such as after sitting or resting
• swelling in or around the joint, often after heavy use
• tenderness around the joint
• a grating or crackling feeling or sound when the joint moves
• less movement than before, such as trouble bending or straightening the knee
• a feeling that the joint is loose or unstable, or might give way

In the knee, pain often flares with hard activity, such as climbing stairs. Some people notice more joint pain when the weather changes.

Causes and risk factors

Several things make osteoarthritis more likely:

• Age: the chance of getting it rises as you get older.
• Being a woman: women are more likely to develop it than men, especially after 50.
• Past joint injury: an old injury to the joint, or using a joint too much before an injury has healed.
• Repeated stress: overusing the same joint again and again.
• Extra body weight: this puts more strain on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips.
• Family history: having a relative with osteoarthritis raises your risk.
• Other joint conditions: such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout, which can damage a joint.

When to see a doctor

See a doctor if:

• joint pain, stiffness or swelling does not go away
• joint pain gets in the way of daily activities or sleep
• pain or swelling is getting worse or keeps coming back
• the pain has not eased after 2 weeks of looking after it at home
• your joints stay stiff for more than 30 minutes after you wake up

Get urgent medical help the same day if:

• a joint is painful and the skin around it is swollen and hot
• you have joint pain and feel unwell, with a high temperature, or you feel hot, cold or shivery

Call 108 or 112 or go to the emergency department if:

• you have severe joint pain after a fall or injury
• you cannot walk or put weight on the joint
• the joint looks as if it has moved out of place
• you have tingling or numbness around the joint after an injury

These signs come from the NHS guide to joint pain.

How osteoarthritis is diagnosed

A doctor will ask about your symptoms and examine your joints. They check for swelling and tenderness, how far the joint moves, whether it feels stable and how you walk.

According to the NHS, a doctor may suspect osteoarthritis if:

• you are 45 or older
• your joint pain gets worse when you use the joint
• you have no morning stiffness, or it lasts less than 30 minutes

Tests are not always needed. An X-ray can show narrowing of the space inside the joint and bony growths. Blood tests can help rule out other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. An MRI or CT scan is used only sometimes, as OrthoInfo explains for the knee.

Managing osteoarthritis joint pain: treatment options

Osteoarthritis is long term, but it does not necessarily get worse over time. Care aims to help you manage symptoms and stay active. Your plan depends on which joints are affected and your general health. The NHS treatment guide describes these options.

Exercise. The NHS calls exercise one of the most important treatments for osteoarthritis. A good plan mixes exercises that strengthen muscles with exercise for general fitness. For knee osteoarthritis, OrthoInfo suggests swapping high-impact activities, such as jogging, for lower-impact ones, such as swimming or cycling. Doing too much too soon, or the wrong type of exercise, may damage your joints. Ask a doctor or physiotherapist for a plan that suits you.

Physiotherapy. A physiotherapist can give you an exercise plan to follow at home. For the knee, specific exercises can help with range of movement, flexibility and leg muscle strength. A physiotherapist may also use hands-on techniques to stretch and move the joint. Learn more about physiotherapy and rehabilitation in PCMC.

Healthy weight. Extra weight puts more strain on joints such as the knees and hips. If you are overweight, ask your doctor for advice on losing weight safely. Check with your doctor or physiotherapist before you start a new exercise plan.

Aids for daily life. A physiotherapist or occupational therapist can advise whether aids such as supportive footwear, insoles, a knee support, a walking stick or a splint suit you. If you use a stick, hold it on the side opposite your painful leg.

Medicine. If pain is more severe, a doctor may prescribe medicine. Some pain medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions. These include asthma, stomach ulcers, angina, or a past heart attack or stroke. Do not start, stop or combine medicines without asking your doctor.

Injections. If other treatments have not helped, a doctor may talk to you about whether an injection into the joint is suitable for you.

Surgery. Surgery is needed in only a small number of cases. It is usually considered when other treatments have not helped, or when daily life is seriously affected. Joint replacement is most often done on hips and knees. Other operations can realign a joint or fix it in place. An orthopaedic surgeon will explain the possible benefits and risks for you. For what recovery can involve, see our guide to life after knee replacement.

What you can do at home

• Keep moving, and follow the home exercise plan your doctor or physiotherapist gives you.
• Do not stop moving a painful joint completely.
• Swap high-impact activities for low-impact ones, and cut back on activities that make the pain worse, such as climbing lots of stairs.
• Wear comfortable, supportive shoes.
• Take any prescribed medicine exactly as your doctor advises.
• Check with your healthcare team before you take any over-the-counter painkiller, remedy or supplement. Some can interfere with your medicines.
• Stay in regular touch with your healthcare team, and tell them about new or changing symptoms.

The NHS page on living with osteoarthritis has more practical tips.

Frequently asked questions

Is osteoarthritis just a normal part of getting older?

No. It is common in adults aged 45 and older, and the risk rises with age. But it is not a normal part of ageing, and there are things you can do to manage it.

Will my osteoarthritis keep getting worse?

Not always. It is a long-term condition, but it does not necessarily get worse over time. Staying active and keeping to a healthy weight are important.

Should I rest a painful joint or keep exercising?

Regular exercise is one of the most important parts of care. Choose low-impact activities and avoid doing too much too soon. A physiotherapist can give you a plan that suits your joints.

Do I need an X-ray or MRI?

Not always. A doctor can often diagnose osteoarthritis from your symptoms and an examination. An X-ray or a blood test may be used to rule out other conditions, and an MRI is needed only sometimes.

Is osteoarthritis the same as rheumatoid arthritis?

No. They are different types of arthritis, and blood tests can help a doctor tell them apart. Rheumatoid arthritis can also damage a joint and make osteoarthritis more likely.

When is joint replacement considered?

Usually only when other treatments have not helped, or when daily life is seriously affected. An orthopaedic surgeon will talk you through the possible benefits and risks.

Sources

• NHS: Osteoarthritis
• NHS: Osteoarthritis, treatment
• NHS: Living with osteoarthritis
• NHS: Joint pain
• CDC: Osteoarthritis
• OrthoInfo (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons): Arthritis of the knee

How this article was prepared: Chetna Hospital’s content team wrote it with the help of AI writing tools and checked it against the sources listed. It is general health information, not personal medical advice.