Summary

• A degenerative joint disorder; prevalence increases with age.
• Most commonly affected joints are the knee, hip, hands, and lumbar and cervical spine.
• Presents with joint pain and stiffness that is typically worse with activity.
• Radiographs show loss of joint space, subchondral sclerosis, and osteophytes.
• Treatments are non-pharmacological and pharmacological.
• Joint replacement surgery is effective for controlling the pain of osteoarthritis in advanced disease.