Osteoarthritis
The commonest form of arthritis — 'wear and tear' of the joints, where the smooth cartilage cushioning the bone gradually wears down, causing pain and stiffness that worsen with use. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, blood inflammatory markers are typically normal.
What it is
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, driven by the gradual breakdown of cartilage — the smooth tissue that caps the ends of bones and lets a joint move freely. As cartilage thins, the bones rub more, the joint tries to repair itself with bony growths (spurs), and the result is pain, stiffness and reduced movement. It most often affects the knees, hips, hands and spine, and becomes more common with age, though it is not simply an inevitable part of ageing — risk is increased by previous joint injury, obesity, heavy repetitive use, and genetics. A defining feature that distinguishes it from inflammatory arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis is the pattern: osteoarthritis pain is typically worse with activity and at the end of the day, with only brief morning stiffness, and — importantly — blood inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR) are usually normal. It is diagnosed clinically and with X-rays; blood tests mainly serve to rule out inflammatory arthritis.
Key lab markers
- Diagnosis is clinical and radiological — from the pattern of joint pain and X-ray changes; there is no blood test that diagnoses osteoarthritis.
- CRP and ESR — typically NORMAL in osteoarthritis; if raised, they point instead toward an inflammatory arthritis.
- Rheumatoid factor, anti-CCP, ANA — checked when inflammatory or autoimmune arthritis needs excluding, not to diagnose OA.
- Uric acid — to consider gout if a single joint is acutely inflamed. Normal inflammatory markers are part of the picture that supports osteoarthritis over inflammatory causes.
Symptoms
- Joint pain that is worse with activity and towards the end of the day
- Stiffness after rest that eases with movement (only brief morning stiffness, under 30 minutes)
- Reduced range of movement
- A grating or crackling sensation in the joint
- Bony swellings, especially around finger joints
- Most often affecting knees, hips, hands and spine
- Symptoms that build gradually over years
Related symptoms
Related lab panels
When to discuss with a doctor
Osteoarthritis is managed mainly on the symptoms, and much can be done: staying active with appropriate exercise, keeping to a healthy weight (which markedly reduces knee and hip load), pain relief, physiotherapy, and, for severe hip or knee disease, joint replacement surgery. See a doctor if joint pain is persistent, limits your activities or is not controlled by simple measures. Certain features should prompt review to exclude a different cause: prolonged morning stiffness (over an hour), a hot, swollen, red joint, joint pain with fever or being generally unwell, or several joints inflamed symmetrically — these suggest inflammatory arthritis rather than osteoarthritis and are where blood tests help. Mediora.AI can show that inflammatory markers are normal, supporting osteoarthritis over inflammatory arthritis; the diagnosis and management belong with your doctor.