Types of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis: Types list
The list of types of Osteoarthritis mentioned in various sources includes:
Curable Types of Osteoarthritis:
- Inflammatory osteoarthritis
Rare Types of Osteoarthritis:
Types discussion:
Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS (Excerpt)
Usually, osteoarthritis comes on slowly. Early in the
disease, joints may ache after physical work or exercise. Osteoarthritis
can occur in any joint. Most often it occurs at the hands, hips, knees,
or spine.
Hands: Osteoarthritis of the fingers is the one
type of the disease that seems to be hereditary; that is, it runs in
families. More women than men have it, especially after menopause.
Small, bony knobs appear on the end joints of the fingers. They are
called Heberden's nodes. Similar knobs (called Bouchard's [boo-SHARDZ]
nodes) can appear on the middle joints of the fingers. Fingers can
become enlarged and gnarled, and may ache or be stiff and numb. The base
of the thumb joint is also commonly affected by osteoarthritis. This
kind of osteoarthritis can be helped by medications, splints, or heat
treatment.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS)
Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS (Excerpt)
Knees: The knees are the body's primary
weight-bearing joints. For this reason, they are among the joints most
commonly affected by osteoarthritis. They may be stiff, swollen, and
painful, making it hard to walk, climb, get in and out of chairs, and
use bathtubs. If not treated, osteoarthritis in the knees can lead to
disability. Medications, losing weight, exercise, and walking aids can
reduce pain and disability. In severe cases, knee replacement surgery
may be helpful.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS)
Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS (Excerpt)
Hips: Osteoarthritis in the hip can cause pain,
stiffness, and severe disability. People may feel the pain in their
hips, or in their groin, inner thigh, or knees. Walking aids such as
canes or walkers can reduce stress on the hip. Osteoarthritis in the hip
may limit moving and bending. This can make daily activities such as
dressing and foot care a challenge. Walking aids, medication, and
exercise can help relieve pain and improve motion. The doctor may
recommend hip replacement if the pain is severe and not helped by other
methods.
Spine: Stiffness and pain in the neck or in the
lower back can result from osteoarthritis of the spine. Weakness or
numbness of the arms or legs can also result. Some people feel better
when they sleep on a firm mattress or sit using back support pillows.
Others find help from heat treatment or an exercise program to
strengthen the back and abdominal muscles. In severe cases, the doctor
may suggest surgery to reduce pain and help restore function.
(Source: excerpt from Handout on Health Osteoarthritis: NIAMS)
Osteoarthritis: Related Disease Topics
More general medical disease topics related to Osteoarthritis include:
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» Next page: Causes of Osteoarthritis
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