Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on osteoarthritis.

Arthritis Foundation Services

Arthritis Foundation(national office) 
Phone: 800-283-7800
http://www.arthritis.org

• Arthritis Self-Help Course (ASHC)

  A 6 week [15-hour] class that teaches people how to take control of their own care.

Here are definitions of medical terms related to osteoarthritis.

Acupuncture: Ancient Chinese technique that uses needles to pierce specific areas of the body along nerve pathways. Acupuncture may be used to relieve pain, induce anesthesia, or serve as a treatment for certain diseases.

Arthrodesis: Surgical fusion of a joint. The joint becomes stiff after the surfaces of the joint are removed and the bone ends are united.

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to osteoarthritis.

Here are some frequently asked questions related to osteoarthritis.

Q: Will a change of diet improve my osteoarthritis?

Even after a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, individuals can continue to lead a full and active life.

In addition to various self-treatments such as exercise and medical treatments such as injections into a joint, other measures can be taken to live with OA. These measures include:

Successful treatment programs are tailored to meet the needs of the individual.

By treating arthritis early and following a well-designed treatment plan, you can:

A diagnosis of osteoarthritis is made with:

• A medical history and physical examination
• Imaging methods
• Laboratory tests

Depending on the joint affected, people with osteoarthritis may experience specific symptoms in the joints such as:

Despite years of research, no one has a simple answer to this question. Many factors probably cause the initial cartilage damage that sets off the destructive process. It remains a mystery why particular joints are affected by osteoarthritis (OA) if they have not suffered any previous injury or disease.