Skip to main content
N I Direct government services

Main navigation

  • Home
  • News
  • Contacts
  • Help
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS

Breadcrumb

  1. Home
  2. Health and wellbeing
  3. Illnesses and conditions
  4. A to Z

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff. It's one of the most common types of arthritis in Northern Ireland. It can affect anyone but is more common in older people. You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:

  • joint pain
  • stiffness

Some people also experience:

  • swelling
  • tenderness
  • a grating or crackling sound when moving the affected joints

The severity of symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints.

For some people, symptoms can be mild and may come and go. Others can have more continuous and severe problems, making it difficult to carry out everyday activities.

Most joints can be affected by osteoarthritis. It most commonly affects:

  • knee joints
  • hip joints
  • small joints of the hands

Causes of osteoarthritis

As part of normal life, your joints are exposed to constant low levels of damage. Your body normally repairs the damage itself and you don't experience any symptoms.

In osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down.

This can cause:

  • pain
  • swelling
  • problems moving the joint
  • bony growths to develop
  • the area around the joint to become inflamed (red and swollen)

The exact cause isn't known. Things thought to increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis, include:

  • joint injury – overusing your joint when it hasn't fully healed after an injury or operation
  • other conditions (secondary arthritis) – osteoarthritis can occur in joints severely damaged by a previous or existing condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
  • age – your risk of developing the condition increases as you get older
  • family history of the condition
  • obesity – being obese puts excess strain on your joints

When to see your GP

See your GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis. To help find out if you have osteoarthritis, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints.

Your GP may suspect osteoarthritis if:

  • you're aged 45 or older
  • you have joint pain that gets worse the more you use your joints
  • you have stiffness in your joints in the morning that lasts less than 30 minutes, or stiffness after resting

If your symptoms are slightly different from those listed above, this may show another joint condition. For example, long periods of joint stiffness in the morning can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

Further tests may be used to rule out other possible causes, such as:

  • rheumatoid arthritis
  • a fractured bone

Treating osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition and can't be cured. It doesn't necessarily get worse over time and it can sometimes gradually improve. Treatments are available to reduce the symptoms.

Mild symptoms can sometimes be managed with:

  • regular exercise
  • losing weight if you're overweight
  • wearing suitable footwear
  • using special devices to reduce the strain on your joints during everyday activities

If your symptoms are more severe, you may need additional treatments such as:

  • painkilling medication
  • a structured exercise plan carried out under the supervision of a physiotherapist

In some severe cases surgery may be carried out to repair, strengthen or replace a damaged joint.

Living with osteoarthritis

As osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, it's important you receive support to help you cope with any issues, such as:

  • reduced mobility
  • advice on necessary financial support

Some people may find it helpful to talk to their GP or others who are living with osteoarthritis.

Preventing osteoarthritis

It's not possible to prevent osteoarthritis altogether. However, you may be able to minimise your risk of developing it.

Exercise

Avoid exercise that puts strain on your joints and forces them to bear an excessive load, such as:

  • running
  • weight training

Instead, try exercises such as:

  • Swimming
  • cycling

With these types of exercise joints are better supported and the strain is more controlled.

Try to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as cycling or fast walking) weekly to build up muscle strength and keep yourself healthy.

Posture

Maintaining good posture can also help. You should avoid staying in the same position for too long. If you work at a desk, make sure your chair is at the right height. Take regular breaks to move around

  • Common posture mistakes and fixes

Losing weight

Being overweight or obese can increase the strain on your joints and increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Losing weight may help lower your chances of developing the condition.

  • Check if you're overweight or obese with the healthy weight calculator
  • Read more about osteoarthritis on the NHS website

More useful links

  • How to use your health services
  • Versus Arthritis: joint care
  • Versus Arthritis: exercise and arthritis
  • Versus Arthritis: diet and arthritis

The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.

For further information see terms and conditions.

Health conditions A to Z

Or find conditions beginning with A to Z…

Skip A to Z menu
  • A
  • B
  • C
  • D
  • E
  • F
  • G
  • H
  • I
  • J
  • K
  • L
  • M
  • N
  • O
  • P
  • Q
  • R
  • S
  • T
  • U
  • V
  • W
  • X
  • Y
  • Z

Related conditions

  • Joint pain

Translation help

How to translate this page

Help improve this page - send your feedback

What do you want to do?
Report a problem
Which problem did you find on this page? (Tick all that apply)

Messages

You will not receive a reply. We will consider your feedback to help improve the site.

Don't include any personal or financial information, for example National Insurance, credit card numbers, or phone numbers.

What is your question about?

What to do next

Comments or queries about angling can be emailed to anglingcorrespondence@daera-ni.gov.uk 

If you have a comment or query about benefits, you will need to contact the government department or agency which handles that benefit.  Contacts for common benefits are listed below.

Carer's Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912
Email 
dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Discretionary support / Short-term benefit advance

Call 0800 587 2750 
Email 
customerservice.unit@communities-ni.gov.uk

Disability Living Allowance

Call 0800 587 0912 
Email dcs.incomingpostteamdhc2@nissa.gsi.gov.uk

Employment and Support Allowance

Call 0800 587 1377

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Contact your local Jobs & Benefits office

Personal Independence Payment

Call 0800 587 0932

If your query is about another benefit, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

Comments or queries about the Blue Badge scheme can be emailed to bluebadges@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk or you can also call 0300 200 7818.

For queries or advice about careers, contact the Careers Service.

For queries or advice about Child Maintenance, contact the Child Maintenance Service.

For queries or advice about claiming compensation due to a road problem, contact DFI Roads claim unit.

If you can’t find the information you’re looking for in the Coronavirus (COVID-19) section, then for queries about:

  • Restrictions or regulations — contact the Department of Health
  • Travel advice (including self-isolation) — contact the Department of Health
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations — contact the Department of Health or Public Health Agency

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk and for queries about your certificate, email covidcertni@hscni.net.

For queries or advice about criminal record checks, email ani@accessni.gov.uk

Application and payment queries can be emailed to ema_ni@slc.co.uk

For queries or advice about employment rights, contact the Labour Relations Agency.

For queries or advice about birth, death, marriage and civil partnership certificates and research, contact the General Register Office Northern Ireland (GRONI) by email gro_nisra@finance-ni.gov.uk

For queries about the High Street Spend Local Scheme,  email HSSS.mail@economy-ni.gov.uk.

For queries about:

  • Car tax, vehicle registration and SORN
    contact the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), Swansea
     
  • Driver licensing and tests, MOT and vehicle testing
    contact the Driver & Vehicle Agency (DVA), Northern Ireland

If your query is about another topic, select ‘Other’ from the drop-down menu above.

For queries about your identity check, email nida@nidirect.gov.uk.

 

For queries or advice about passports, contact HM Passport Office.

For queries or advice about Penalty Charge Notices (PCNs), including parking tickets and bus lane PCNs, email dcu@infrastructure-ni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about pensions, contact the Northern Ireland Pension Centre.

If you wish to report a problem with a road or street you can do so online in this section.

If you wish to check on a problem or fault you have already reported, contact DfI Roads.

For queries or advice about historical, social or cultural records relating to Northern Ireland, use the Public Record Office of Northern Ireland (PRONI) enquiry service.

For queries or advice about rates, email LPSCustomerTeam@lpsni.gov.uk

For queries or advice about  60+ and Senior Citizen SmartPasses (which can be used to get concessionary travel on public transport), contact Smartpass - Translink.

If you have a question about a government service or policy, you should contact the relevant government organisation directly.  We don't have access to information about you.

Related sites

  • gov.uk
  • nibusinessinfo.co.uk

Links to supporting information

  • Accessibility statement
  • Crown copyright
  • Terms and conditions
  • Privacy
  • Cookies
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • RSS