Osteoarthritis Health Article

Support Groups

For more information and support, see arthritis resources.

Expectations (prognosis)

Your movement may become very limited. Treatment generally improves function.

Complications

• Decreased ability to walk
• Decreased ability to perform everyday activities, such as personal hygiene, household chores, or cooking
• Adverse reactions to drugs used for treatment
• Surgical complications

Calling your health care provider

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Prevention

Weight loss can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in overweight women.

References

Harris ED, Budd RC, Genovese MC, Firestein GS, Sargent JS, Sledge CB, Kelley's Textbook of Rheumatology, 7th ed. St. Louis, MO; W.B. Saunders; 2005.

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Announces Series of Changes to the Class of Marketed Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Rockville, MD: National Press Office; April 7, 2005. Press Release P05-16.

US Food and Drug Administration. FDA Issues Public Health Advisory Recommending Limited Use of Cox-2 Inhibitors. Rockville, MD: National Press Office; December 23, 2004. Talk Paper T04-61.