Main symptoms
- •Mechanical joint pain (worsened by activity, relieved by rest)
- •Morning stiffness < 30 minutes
- •Joint crepitus (cracking)
- •Intermittent swelling
- •Progressive deformity
- •Limited mobility
Risk factors
- ⚠️ Age over 50
- ⚠️ Overweight and obesity (especially knee, hip)
- ⚠️ Previous joint trauma
- ⚠️ Female sex (after menopause)
- ⚠️ Genetic predisposition
- ⚠️ Repetitive impact activities (athletes, manual jobs)
- ⚠️ Poor posture
Management and treatments
Multimodal approach: **medications** (paracetamol first-line, short-course NSAIDs, slow-acting agents such as glucosamine/chondroitin), **active physiotherapy**, **intra-articular injections** (corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid 700-1500 MAD/session), **prosthetic surgery** as last resort (total knee/hip replacement 40,000-80,000 MAD, partially reimbursed). Disabling osteoarthritis may qualify as ALD.
Prevention
Maintain a healthy weight (each kg lost = -4 kg of pressure on the knee), suitable physical activity (walking, swimming, cycling), strength training, avoid violent efforts, anti-inflammatory diet (omega-3, red berries, turmeric), stop smoking.
Frequently asked questions
Is osteoarthritis curable?+
No, it is irreversible, but its progression can be stabilised and symptoms relieved. The goal: preserve autonomy and quality of life.
Should I avoid all physical activity with osteoarthritis?+
Quite the opposite! Inactivity worsens pain and accelerates muscle loss. Choose low-impact sports: walking, swimming, cycling, yoga.
Are hyaluronic acid injections effective?+
Variable results across studies (Cochrane meta-analysis 2015). Effective for 40-60% of patients for 6-12 months. Reimbursement varies by complementary insurance.
When should a knee replacement be considered?+
When pain is no longer controlled by medical treatment and severely limits autonomy. Knee prostheses last 15-20 years.