After a certain age, it can feel like just about everyone you know has at least a little arthritis. But the term “arthritis” isn’t very precise. There are more than 100 different health concerns you could be referring to!

What most people mean when they say arthritis is a specific joint disease called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis in seniors is common. In fact, up to 80 percent of Americans over 65 have signs of osteoarthritis. So what exactly is this condition, and how can you stop it from getting worse? Keep reading to learn more about osteoarthritis symptoms, treatment options, and more.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a type of degenerative joint disease. That means tissues in the joint break down over time. As that tissue deteriorates, it can cause joint pain when moving and stiffness after resting.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It typically affects the hands, neck, back, hips, and knees.

Osteoarthritis vs. rheumatoid arthritis

Different types of arthritis can have overlapping symptoms. But there are differences between OA and something like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the second most common type of arthritis. 

RA is an autoimmune disease. This means the body’s immune system attacks its own healthy tissue — specifically in the joints, in the case of RA. People with RA also experience pain and swelling in their joints, as well as fatigue, loss of appetite, and fevers. 

RA is more likely to occur symmetrically; if it affects one hand, for example, it’s likely to affect the other hand, too. It can cause problems in the hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, jaw, spine, knees, and feet.

Symptoms and causes of osteoarthritis

Experts still don’t know exactly what causes OA.

What we do know is that there’s a complex mix of factors involved. Your risk of developing osteoarthritis is higher if you:

• Are older than 50
• Are female
• Have obesity
• Have muscle weakness
• Experienced joint injuries in the past

The stress you place on your joints and how you move matter, too. In people with OA, inflammation damages the joints over time.

This damage can affect any tissue in the joint, including:

• Tendons (tissue connecting muscle to bone)
• Ligaments (tissue connecting two bones)
• Cartilage (tissue where two bones meet to form a joint)
• Synovium (tissue lining the joints)
• Bone

OA damage causes symptoms such as:

• Pain during or after movement
• Swelling
• Stiffness, especially after inactivity or first thing in the morning
• Loss of motion
• Tenderness to the touch
• Feelings of instability in the joint
• A grating sensation when you use the joint, sometimes with popping or crackling sounds

How fast does osteoarthritis progress? It varies a lot from person to person. Generally, though, OA gets worse slowly over the years. In some people, it can get worse quickly. This is more common if you have obesity and if you have OA in multiple joints. Talk to a Bold Care Clinician if you’re concerned about your OA getting worse.

Osteoarthritis and other health issues

When you develop OA due to a combination of the above risk factors, you’re said to have primary osteoarthritis. This means there’s no underlying disease that causes arthritis. Falls, injuries, and obesity can still contribute to primary OA.

Secondary OA means you have an underlying health condition that caused your osteoarthritis. These concerns can include:

• Inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis
• Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, a genetic condition that causes loose joints (also called joint hypermobility)
• Paget’s disease, which causes weak, abnormally shaped bones
• Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that can cause longer bones, loose ligaments, and low bone density
• Other congenital joint problems, or conditions or disorders you’re born with that affect your joints

If you have any of these diagnoses, talk to your doctor for advice on how to manage your osteoarthritis risk.

Treatment options

Can you prevent arthritis from getting worse? You can — and that’s one of the main goals of treatment for osteoarthritis. Your doctor will suggest ways you can limit your current pain and reduce additional loss of mobility or function.

This often involves a mix of medical and lifestyle interventions.

Medical treatments for osteoarthritis in seniors can include the following:

• Using supportive devices. Your doctor might prescribe a brace, orthotics, a cane, or crutches to take pressure off or stabilize the affected joints.
• Pain medications. Oral pain relievers or anti-inflammatory drugs can help limit some of your swelling and discomfort, but some people can’t take them due to gastrointestinal side effects, including an increased risk of stomach ulcers or GI bleeding.
• Topical medications. Your doctor might prescribe a topical anti-inflammatory medication to cut down on side effects caused by oral meds. You can also find over-the-counter creams, sprays, and gels for OA.
• Injections. Your doctor might inject a strong drug (called a corticosteroid) into your affected joint to reduce inflammation and pain.
• Surgery. If other treatments don’t help and you have serious OA damage, your doctor might suggest surgery. Your procedure will vary depending on your symptoms and the joint that’s affected. Your surgeon may make small incisions using an instrument called an arthroscope to remove pieces of bone or damaged tissue. Or, you may need a procedure to fuse the ends of bones together or realign bones to take some pressure off a joint. In some cases you may benefit from a partial or complete joint replacement,where your joint tissue is replaced by an artificial joint made of metal and plastic.

How lifestyle medicine helps with osteoarthritis

There are also some key aspects of osteoarthritis treatment you can try at home. A Bold Care Clinician can help suggest lifestyle changes that may help you manage your symptoms.

Stay active

When your joints are stiff or achy, moving more might seem counterintuitive.“Many people with osteoarthritis worry that movement will wear out their joints faster. In reality, the right kind of regular movement helps strengthen the muscles that support the joints and reduce pain over time,” says Bold Care Clinician Dr. Afua Agyarko. 

Light movement, such as a gentle walk, can help ease OA stiffness after sitting for a while or first thing in the morning. And a regular exercise routine can help reduce your pain and improve your mobility, endurance, and strength. “The goal isn’t to push through severe pain — it’s to keep your joints moving in ways that feel safe and sustainable,” Dr. Agyarko says.

Exercises for osteoarthritis can include: 

• Strength training
• Stretching
• Water aerobics
• Balance exercises
• Low-impact cardio, such as walking, cycling, and swimming

It’s always a good idea to get cleared by your doctor before trying a new exercise program. Then, start slowly and build up to more challenging sessions over time. There are lots of options to choose from on Bold’s online exercise platform! 

Eat a balanced diet

The foods you eat can’t cure or prevent OA, but your overall diet may help improve your symptoms. 

More research is needed, but following a Mediterranean diet might help. This style of eating is linked with less pain, stiffness, inflammation, and signs of cartilage deterioration. To try it, focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and lean proteins, such as fish, eggs, and poultry.

Being thoughtful about what you eat may also help you manage your weight. Losing excess weight can help reduce OA pain and improve mobility, especially in the knees and hips. 

“Even a small amount of weight loss can make a meaningful difference for joint pain,” Dr. Agyarko says. “Every pound you lose takes several pounds of pressure off your knees and hips, which can improve comfort and make movement easier.”

Try to get quality sleep

It’s not always easy to sleep comfortably when your joints hurt from OA. But sleep problems typically can make pain and inflammation worse. If your pillow and/or mattress aren’t supportive and comfortable, consider replacing them. 

Talk to your doctor about any sleep problems so you can rule out or address any underlying conditions or medication side effects. Consider working with a sleep specialist if you still can’t get 7 to 8 hours of rest each night.

Approach supplements with caution

It’s common to wonder if there are any vitamins for arthritis. So far, there’s no evidence to support the use of any vitamins, supplements, or other oral herbal remedies for OA relief (even the popular glucosamine and chondroitin!).

Quit smoking

More research is needed, but smoking cigarettes may up your chance of developing osteoarthritis. Smoking can also cause gum disease, which can contribute to arthritis risk.

Quitting, of course, also has benefits for your heart, lungs, and overall health. You can find tools to help you quit at SmokeFree.gov. You can also speak with a Bold Care Clinician about the best approach to quitting for you. 

Tips to talk to your doctor about osteoarthritis

“Joint pain is common as we age, but it’s not something you have to simply live with,” Dr. Agyarko says. “When you talk openly with your provider about your symptoms, activity goals, and daily challenges, they can create a plan that helps you stay independent, active, and doing the things you enjoy.”

Here are some ways to prepare for that conversation:

• Be open about your symptoms and history. It may feel challenging to be honest about your pain and abilities. But try to share all the relevant details about any pain or stiffness you experience and any difficulty moving you’re having with a trusted care provider. Tell them about any past joint injuries and any family history of osteoarthritis. Consider keeping a log of when your symptoms occur and what makes your pain and stiffness better or worse.
• Get cleared for physical activity. Before trying a new type of exercise, talk to your doctor, especially if you’ve already been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Some forms of activity are safer and more comfortable than others for people with existing joint damage.
• Bring past test results. Share findings with your current care team from past X-rays, MRIs, blood tests, joint fluid tests, or other arthritis exams.
• Bring up heat vs. ice. Both cold and heat may ease some of your joint pain. Ice can help reduce inflammation, while heat can improve flexibility. Your doctor can help you determine the best approach for you and how often to use cold or heat therapy.
• Ask about complementary therapies. Some people find OA relief from alternative approaches like acupuncture and massage. If you’re curious, ask your doctor about the potential pros and cons for you. 

FAQ

Does osteoarthritis spread to other joints?

It’s common for osteoarthritis to begin in one joint and then progress to other joints. It isn’t “spreading” as if it’s contagious; it’s simply affecting other joints due to the same risk factors that made it happen in the first joint.

Does stretching help arthritis?

Stretching and range-of-motion exercises won’t stop the progression of joint damage. But they can help you stay active and mobile with osteoarthritis. 

Does humidity make osteoarthritis worse?

More research is needed, but some people with osteoarthritis notice worse pain and stiffness when it’s more humid out.

Does osteoarthritis make you tired?

It can. This may be due to a combination of difficulty sleeping due to pain, medication side effects, lack of physical activity, and other factors.Want to learn more about the lifestyle changes that can help you manage osteoarthritis? Schedule a Bold Care appointment today to speak with one of our age-friendly clinicians who are here to support you.