Osteoarthritis

MU Health Care provides expert osteoarthritis care to ease joint pain, improve mobility and help you stay active.

Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage that cushions your joints wears down over time or is triggered by an injury. This can lead to pain, stiffness and less mobility.

It can affect any joint but is most common in the knees, hips, hands and spine. Symptoms may come on slowly, eventually impacting your daily routine.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It tends to affect older adults but can also develop in younger people — especially after an injury or years of joint stress.

At MU Health Care, our orthopaedic experts diagnose and treat osteoarthritis with a full range of options — from personalized therapy plans to joint replacement surgery.

Whether your symptoms are just beginning or already more advanced, we’re here to help reduce pain, support your movement and protect your joints for the long term.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms can vary depending on which joint is affected and how far the condition has progressed.

Common signs of osteoarthritis include:

Grinding or clicking: You might feel or hear a crunching sensation when you move the joint.
Joint changes: The joint may start to look different or feel less stable over time.
Joint pain: Pain often shows up after activity but can start to linger more regularly.
Reduced range of motion: It may feel harder to move the joint fully or do everyday movements.
Stiffness: This tends to be worse in the morning or after sitting for a while.
Swelling: The joint might look puffy or feel swollen, especially after you’ve used it a lot.

When to Seek Care for Osteoarthritis

If joint pain is limiting your movement or interfering with daily life, it’s time to talk to a doctor.

Even if your symptoms feel manageable now, early treatment can help slow joint damage and may help you avoid more invasive procedures down the road.

You should also check in if:

You’ve had a previous joint injury.
You’re noticing pain, stiffness or swelling that lasts more than a few weeks.
You're concerned about staying active as you age.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is characterized by the wearing away of cartilage that cushions your joints — often resulting from a mix of lifestyle, physical and genetic factors.

Common osteoarthritis risk factors include:

Age: Cartilage naturally breaks down as we get older, which makes osteoarthritis more likely to develop over time.
Body weight: Carrying extra weight puts more pressure on joints in your hips and knees.
Bone or joint conditions: Problems like hip dysplasia or joint misalignment can lead to more wear and tear.
Family history: If a close relative has osteoarthritis, your chances of developing it may be higher.
Injury or surgery: A past injury or joint surgery can cause cartilage to wear down faster.
Joint overuse: Repetitive motions or heavy lifting can strain your joints over time.

How We Diagnose Osteoarthritis

We start by learning more about your joint pain, including how it feels, how it’s affecting your life and what might be causing it.

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, we may use the following tools to help diagnose osteoarthritis:

Physical exam: We’ll check your joint for tenderness, swelling, range of motion and strength.
X-rays: Can show changes like bone spurs or narrowing between the bones in your joint.
MRI: May help spot early cartilage damage or issues with nearby soft tissues.

How We Treat Osteoarthritis

At MU Health Care, we tailor osteoarthritis care to your goals, whether that’s walking with less pain, staying active or avoiding surgery for as long as possible.

Our team includes specialists in orthopaedics, sports medicine, joint replacement and physical therapy who can support you through every step of care.

Depending on your needs, your osteoarthritis treatment plan may include:

Lifestyle and Supportive Therapies

Activity modification: We help you change habits or movements that may be putting too much stress on your joints.
Bracing or orthotics: Supportive devices can improve alignment and take pressure off the joint.
Low-dose radiation therapy: Our radiology team uses a painless X-ray treatment to target the inflammatory cells in the hip and knee joints
Pain management: Heat, ice or over-the-counter medications may help ease day-to-day discomfort.
Physical therapy: Our therapists guide you through exercises that build strength, improve mobility and reduce joint stiffness.
Weight management: Even small changes in weight can make a big difference for the joints in your knees, hips or spine.

Medications and Injections for Osteoarthritis

Corticosteroid injections: Reduce inflammation and provide temporary relief for painful, swollen joints.
Hyaluronic acid injections: Add lubrication to the joint — often used for knee osteoarthritis.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): Uses platelets from your own blood to support healing and reduce joint pain.
NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help relieve joint inflammation and manage everyday symptoms.

Surgery for Osteoarthritis

If nonsurgical treatments aren’t bringing enough relief, our joint experts offer advanced surgical options, including:

Genicular artery embolization: A minimally invasive, outpatient procedure that inserts a thin catheter into the groin to block abnormal blood vessels in the knee joint to reduce inflammation and pain.
Joint preservation procedures: Often recommended for younger or more active individuals with early joint damage.
Partial or total joint replacement: We use advanced techniques — including robotic-assisted minimally invasive surgery — for the hip, knee, shoulder and hand joints.