Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the commonest form of arthritis — the cushioning cartilage inside joints wears down, so bones rub together with use. It usually affects knees, hips, spine and finger joints, and worsens gradually over years.

Who gets it

• Older age — most common after 50.
• Being overweight — each extra kilo puts 4 kilos of force on the knee when walking.
• Previous joint injury.
• Repeated squatting, climbing stairs, heavy lifting — many Indian occupations involve these.
• Family history.
• Being a woman — knee OA is more common in Indian women than men, often earlier.

Symptoms

• Joint pain that worsens with use and eases with rest.
• Morning stiffness that eases within 30 minutes.
• Reduced movement — difficulty squatting, climbing stairs, getting up from the floor.
• A grinding or crackling sound in the joint.
• Mild swelling; joint may "give way" in advanced cases.

Treatment — a layered approach

• Weight loss — even 5-10% reduces knee pain dramatically.
• Regular low-impact exercise — walking, cycling, swimming, tai chi, chair yoga. Strengthening thigh muscles helps knee OA most.
• Physiotherapy — a trained physio teaches specific exercises; effect is often bigger than many assume.
• Pain medication — simple pain relievers or anti-inflammatory tablets and gels for flares; use as advised, not daily long-term without a Health Expert.
• Knee injections (steroid or hyaluronic acid) — can give relief for some; not a long-term fix.
• Joint replacement surgery — for severe OA when quality of life is significantly affected; highly effective in properly selected patients.

Practical India-specific notes

A lot of knee pain in Indian adults comes from prolonged floor-sitting, squatting and stair use. Shifting to higher seating, using Indian-style toilet adaptations (raised toilet seats), and avoiding deep squats are simple changes that help. Joint replacement is now widely available in India at a fraction of Western costs; many government and insurance schemes cover eligible patients.