Osteoarthritis Quiz: Test Your Medical IQ

What joints are most often affected by osteoarthritis?

There are many types of arthritis, or conditions involving joint inflammation. Osteoarthritis (OA) commonly affects the hands, fingers, knees, hips, and spine.

OA is the most common type, typically occurring with age. The cartilage between bones that cushions the joints breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling as the bones rub against each other.

Hands Hips Both hands and hips Shoulders

What are risk factors for developing osteoarthritis?

• Age over 55
• Gender – women are 2-3 times more likely to develop OA
• Obesity
• Occupations requiring frequent squatting and kneeling, such as dock work, shipyard work, carpentry, construction, farm work, and cotton processing
• Prolonged standing or walking several miles each day
• Sports such as wrestling, boxing, pitching in baseball, cycling, parachuting, gymnastics, soccer, and football

High blood pressure Weight loss Age over 55 Steroid use

What are symptoms of osteoarthritis?

OA symptoms typically occur in hands, fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Joints of the elbow, wrist, and ankle are rarely affected.

• Joint pain worsening with activity, relieved by rest; severe cases may have pain at rest
• Morning joint stiffness resolving within 30 minutes of waking
• Joint swelling (effusion) from excess fluid accumulation
• Crackling or grating sensation in the joints (crepitus)
• Bony outgrowths called osteophytes or bone spurs, enlarging over time and felt under the skin near joints

Joint pain Joint stiffness Joint swelling All of the above

What are home remedies that can ease osteoarthritis symptoms?

• Weight loss lowers the risk of worsening OA and decreases pain
• Physical therapy and exercise programs improve flexibility, strengthen the muscles around joints, decrease pain, and improve joint function
• Orthoses help keep joints aligned to reduce symptoms and maintain function
• Splints immobilize joints to reduce pain and inflammation
• Assistive devices such as canes, walkers, electric-powered seat lifts, raised toilet seats, and tub and shower bars reduce joint stress and ease daily tasks
• Arthritis education and support help patients self-manage their condition
• Psychosocial support such as informal support networks or formal OA support groups benefit patients
• Glucosamine and chondroitin are dietary supplements that may reduce pain with few side effects; consult your doctor before using any nutritional supplements

Weight loss Shoe inserts Fish oil Acupuncture

What medications are used to treat osteoarthritis?

• Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) applied to the skin over the joint; tried before oral NSAIDs
• Topical capsaicin, derived from hot chili pepper, helps with hand and knee OA
• Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain and reduce inflammation, available over-the-counter (OTC) and by prescription
• Steroid injections occasionally recommended for significant pain unresponsive to weight loss, exercise, and other medications
• Acetaminophen offers minimal benefits but is usually not significantly effective for OA pain relief
• Hyaluronate injections not generally recommended due to lack of evidence and high cost
• Opioids (narcotic pain relievers) not recommended for long-term use due to equal effectiveness as other pain medications, high risk of side effects, and potential for abuse and addiction

Acetaminophen (Tylenol) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Hyaluronate injections Narcotic pain medications

Types of surgery used to treat osteoarthritis include…

• Realignment of chronically misaligned bones and other joint structures instead of joint replacement, for younger and more active patients
• Fusion surgery permanently fuses two or more bones at a joint; used when joint replacement is not appropriate for badly damaged joints
• Joint replacement surgery replaces a damaged joint with an artificial (prosthetic) joint; for pain relief that limits everyday activities and an active lifestyle

Realignment Fusion Replacement All of the above

What is the best exercise for osteoarthritis?

• Strength exercises using free weights, weight machines, or body weight
• Low-impact endurance exercises such as swimming and cycling
• Yoga or tai chi

Yoga Running Basketball Boxing

What are the best foods to eat for osteoarthritis?

• Calcium and vitamin D-rich foods, like leafy green vegetables
• Broccoli, containing a compound called sulforaphane that may slow OA progression
• Green tea, containing antioxidants that reduce inflammation and slow cartilage destruction
• Citrus fruits, full of vitamin C
• Bell peppers, containing antioxidants that prevent joint deterioration
• Pineapples and pomegranates, with anti-inflammatory effects
• Garlic, containing the compound diallyl disulphine that limits cartilage-damaging enzymes
• Oils with omega-3 fatty acids, such as extra virgin olive oil, avocado, safflower, and walnut oils

Citrus fruits Meat Bread Cookies

What foods should I avoid if I have osteoarthritis?

• Wheat products like pasta and refined grain products (prefer whole grains)
• Fried foods that raise cholesterol and contribute to inflammation and pain
• Foods with omega-6 fatty acids like red meat and egg yolks
• Salt causing water retention and inflammation
• Sugary snacks that worsen inflammation

Refined wheat Fried foods Salt All of the above

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Arthritis Research Institute of America. Foods That Osteoarthritis Sufferers Should Avoid.

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&copy 1996-2024 MedicineNet, Inc. All rights reserved.