Osteoarthritis: Commonly Affected Areas and Symptoms
Osteoarthritis (OA) can affect any joint, but it is most commonly found in the hips, knees, spine, neck, and hands. While OA may start in a single joint, it often progresses to involve multiple joints.
Arthritis refers to inflammation of the joints. Among the various types of arthritis, osteoarthritis specifically results from the mechanical “wear and tear” of joints over time.
OA can affect both large and small joints throughout the body. A comprehensive global analysis published in 2023 indicates that the knee is the joint most frequently affected by OA. While some individuals experience a sudden onset of knee OA, it generally develops gradually over an extended period.
Symptoms of Knee OA include:
- Swelling and stiffness
- Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
- Pain after sitting or resting
- Pain following vigorous activity
- Locking, sticking, or clicking during knee movement
- Weakness or buckling of the knee
Osteoarthritis of the Hips
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip involves the ball-and-socket joint, which is composed of the head of the femur and the acetabulum of the pelvis. Hip OA occurs when the cartilage covering both parts of the joint begins to wear away.
Symptoms of Hip OA Include:
- Difficulty walking due to reduced range of motion in the hip
- Limping
- Radiating pain from the groin or thigh to the buttocks or knee
- Pain exacerbations after vigorous activity
- Stiffness in the hip joint that makes bending difficult
- Locking, sticking, or grinding noises in the joint
Osteoarthritis of the Hand
Hand OA typically affects one or more of three areas:
- The base of the thumb
- The joint closest to the fingertip
- The middle finger joint
Hand OA progresses over time and can produce unique symptoms. Advanced OA of the thumb base can lead to the loosening of surrounding joints. When OA affects the finger joint closest to the nail, it can result in mucous cysts.
Other Common Symptoms Include:
- Dull, aching pain that comes and goes, especially in the early stages
- Constant, often sharp pain in advanced stages
- Stiffness or difficulty in opening and closing fingers
- Sensation of grinding or cracking (crepitus)
- Swelling and tenderness
- Bony lumps or changes in the shape of finger joints
- Enlargement of finger joints
- Hand weakness
Osteoarthritis of the Spine
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the spine, also known as spondylosis, affects the intervertebral discs and the facet joints between the vertebrae. As these discs degenerate and bone spurs, or osteophytes, form, they can impinge on nearby nerves.
Bone spurs can narrow the spaces within the spine, leading to spinal stenosis. This condition exerts pressure on the nerve roots and spinal cord, causing pain and numbness in the limbs near or below the affected area.
Symptoms of Spinal OA Include:
- Radiating pain into the shoulder or arm
- Pain or stiffness in the lower back
- Weakness or numbness in the arms
- Difficulty straightening the back and loss of spinal flexibility
- Grinding sensations during movement
- Tender spinal joints
Osteoarthritis of the Neck
Neck OA, also known as cervical spondylosis, is very common. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, it affects more than 85% of people over the age of 60.
Neck OA occurs in the cervical spine, which consists of the first seven vertebrae at the top of the spine, starting at the base of the skull. The reduction of space and cushioning between these vertebrae leads to cervical spondylosis.
Symptoms of Neck OA Include:
- Worsening pain when looking up or down for extended periods
- Increased pain from holding the neck in a single position for long durations
- Grinding or popping noises when turning the neck
- Headaches
- Muscle spasms in the neck or shoulders
- Numbness or weakness in the arms, hands, or fingers
- Difficulty walking or leg weakness