In brief
A long-term condition in which joints become painful and stiff. It most often affects the knees, hips, hands and fingers, spine and feet.
- Osteoarthritis is very common, according to healthdirect.
- NSAIDs can cause side effects such as stomach ulcers and bleeding, kidney problems and heart problems.
- See your doctor if joint symptoms affect your daily life or last more than a few days.
How it works
The main symptoms are joint pain, stiffness and swelling. Joints can also be hard to move, feel unstable, click or grate, or feel weak, and the whole joint and the structures around it can be affected. The exact cause is not known, but the risk rises with age, and family history, being female, being overweight, a previous joint injury, physically demanding work and repeated joint movements all add to it.
Regular exercise is important, and a physiotherapist or exercise physiologist can help you start a programme. If you live with overweight or obesity, losing weight can reduce pain and limit further joint damage. Pain relief can include paracetamol and NSAIDs, and joint replacement surgery may be recommended for some people.
Connections
5 connections on the map. Select a topic to read its page.
Osteoarthritis can cause
Joint pain, stiffness and swelling are the main symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis affects
Osteoarthritis can affect the whole joint and the structures around it, most often in the knees, hips, hands, spine and feet.
Osteoarthritis can be raised by
Being overweight is a risk factor for osteoarthritis, and losing weight can reduce pain and limit further joint damage.
Sources: healthdirect Australia, Osteoarthritis; healthdirect Australia, Obesity
Osteoarthritis can be eased by
Regular exercise is important for people with osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis has been studied with
- Turmeric and curcumin Emerging
For osteoarthritis, the initial evidence on turmeric or curcumin is positive, but higher-quality evidence is needed.
Source: NIH NCCIH, Turmeric
Medicines and supplements
General education only. Never start, stop or change a medicine without your prescriber.
Sources
Each connection above names its own source. See every source AskBioMap uses.
Summarised from healthdirect. Sources read on 19 October 2026. General education only, not medical advice. Spotted a mistake? Please tell us through the HuBu-Intel contact page.