More than 20 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis
(OA), which is the number one cause of disability in the United States.

There is hope to regain your active lifestyle and continue many of your favorite
activities, despite osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease. That means it will never get better and is
likely to get worse over time. The knee pain and immobility are caused by wear and-
tear between the joints.

OA strikes three times as many women as men and most often occurs in people
over 50. However, younger people who have been injured in sports or accidents
can start having symptoms in their 20s and 30s.

With OA, everyday activities may be painful or even impossible. Daily activities
such as walking, driving, lifting, standing, bending, climbing stairs and exercising
may be causing extreme pain. It may even hurt to lay down, rest or sleep.
Symptoms include aching, pain, stiffness, swelling and inflammation of affected
joints. Symptoms are often more prominent after you have been active but pain
and stiffness can be experienced after resting (most common in the morning).

In addition to physical symptoms, osteoarthritis takes an emotional toll. A survey
by The National Council on the Aging sheds light on the way OA hampers the
lives of people with the disease:
• OA sufferers reported gaining an average of 42 pounds since their diagnosis.
This is partly due to patients’ inability to exercise as much as they would like to
– a feeling expressed by 75 percent of OA sufferers.

• Loss of sleep, which can take a serious toll on relationships, productivity and
public safety, is another side effect of OA. 37 percent of sufferers report losing
two or more hours of sleep per night due to pain.

OA is a progressive disease.While early treatment can slow things down, affected
joints continue to get worse. You may experience flare-ups as well as periods
when you feel no symptoms at all. Osteoarthritis of the knee is a chronic condition that
requires ongoing attention. It is important to take an active role in managing your osteoarthritis of the knee to reduce the pain and limit the impact on your ability to do everyday things.  Monitoring your symptoms and your improvement can help you and your doctor diagnose, treat and manage your condition.

“Knee Osteoarthritis.”
DePuy. Johnson & Johnson.
n.d. Web. 8 Oct. 2009