Learn what a typical Osteoarthritis prognosis is at Consumer Reports Health.

Osteoarthritis

What will happen to me?

Osteoarthritis is a disease that usually, but not always, progresses very slowly, often over many years. The pain and stiffness may even get better with time. No one knows for sure why some people who have X-ray signs of severe osteoarthritis have no symptoms, while others with less severe signs have a lot of pain and disability.

Osteoarthritis can make you feel depressed and also anxious, as you may worry about how you will cope if you do become disabled by the condition. It's hard to predict what will happen to you as an individual. If your osteoarthritis is due to an injury, for example, then you may get symptoms earlier than other people do. But, whatever the cause, there are many factors that may help you avoid developing severe symptoms. Here are some of the things we know from research:

Being overweight increases the risk of osteoarthritis getting worse
Your osteoarthritis is more likely to get worse if you have heart disease or another chronic (long-term) condition because you are likely to be less mobile
If you have Heberden's nodes, which are lumps on the side of the middle joints of your fingers, then your risk of developing symptoms is higher.

People's pain thresholds differ enormously, which is one reason why some people find their joints hurt in osteoarthritis while other people don't. But the following things are known to reduce pain and stiffness in osteoarthritis:

Source:
Manek NJ, Lane NE.
Osteoarthritis: current concepts in diagnosis and management.
American Family Physician. 2000; 61: 1795-1804.

Simple aerobic exercise: You could try walking or swimming.
Learning about your disease: This may make you feel more in control and able to cope with what happens to you. Self-help courses have been shown to reduce pain and improve quality of life. Ask your physician about these courses or contact the Arthritis Foundation (http://www.arthritis.org).
Canes and shock-absorbing shoes: Not everyone likes using canes. Some people feel that they look old and disabled when using them. Others say that they couldn't walk around the block without them.
Support from family and friends.

Sources for the information on this page:

Manek NJ, Lane NE.Osteoarthritis: current concepts in diagnosis and management.American Family Physician. 2000; 61: 1795-1804.

This information was last updated on Jan 07, 2009

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment.
© BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2009. All rights reserved.

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