Osteoarthritis: Causes, Management, and What Works Best

When your knees, hips, or hands start aching after walking or typing, it’s not just aging—it’s likely osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease where cartilage breaks down over time, causing bone to rub against bone. Also known as degenerative joint disease, it’s the leading cause of chronic joint pain in adults over 50. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which is autoimmune, osteoarthritis is mechanical: it’s what happens when joints are used, abused, or injured over years. You don’t need a complex diagnosis—if your pain gets worse with activity and improves with rest, and you feel stiffness in the morning that fades in 30 minutes, you’re likely dealing with this.

It’s not just about the joints. cartilage damage, the core problem in osteoarthritis doesn’t heal on its own. That’s why weight matters—every extra pound adds four pounds of pressure on your knees. joint pain, the most visible symptom isn’t just discomfort; it’s your body’s warning that movement is becoming harder. And when movement drops, muscles weaken, balance suffers, and the risk of falls rises. That’s why treatment isn’t just pills—it’s movement, strength, and smart habits. People who stick with low-impact exercise like swimming or cycling often report better function than those who rely only on painkillers.

What you’ll find in these posts isn’t theory—it’s real-world advice from people who’ve lived with this. You’ll see how certain medications help—or don’t—how supplements like glucosamine stack up against real data, and why some physical therapy routines work better than others. There’s no magic cure, but there are proven ways to slow it down, reduce pain, and keep moving. Whether you’re just noticing stiffness or have been managing this for years, the articles here cut through the noise and show you what actually works.