An in-depth guide to osteoarthritis symptoms and impacts on daily life

According to Arthritis WA, if you are experiencing joint pain or stiffness, it could be osteoarthritis.

This condition is often misunderstood, but with the right knowledge, support, and accommodations, it doesn’t have to hold you back.

Understanding the symptoms, causes, and treatment options can help you take control and manage the impact osteoarthritis may have on your daily life.

Let’s dive into what osteoarthritis is, its symptoms, and how it can affect your day-to-day activities, along with the available treatment options and the importance of seeking help.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide.

According to the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, in Australia alone, around 2.1 million people are living with this condition.

It's a degenerative joint disease that develops when the cartilage cushioning the ends of bones breaks down over time.

This leads to bone-on-bone contact, which can cause pain, swelling, stiffness, and other related symptoms.

Rather than seeing osteoarthritis as a personal limitation, it’s important to understand that with the right modifications in workplaces, homes, and communities, people living with osteoarthritis can continue to lead full and active lives.

If you think you might be living with osteoarthritis, it’s important that you visit a GP for professional medical advice and tailored treatment.

Causes and risk factors for osteoarthritis

According to Better Health Channel, while the exact cause of osteoarthritis remains unclear, several risk factors increase your chances of developing the condition, including:

• Age: As we get older, the wear and tear on our joints increase, making osteoarthritis more common in older adults.
• Gender: Women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis, particularly after menopause.
• Obesity: Carrying extra weight places more stress on weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees, which can speed up the wear and tear of cartilage.
• Joint injuries or overuse: Past injuries or repetitive stress on joints—whether from a job, sports, or physical activity—can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
• Weak muscles: Muscles help support your joints, and when they’re weak, your joints have to work harder, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.
• Genetics: There may be a genetic component that makes certain people more susceptible to developing osteoarthritis.
• Health conditions: Conditions like diabetes and gout can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis due to their impact on overall joint health.

Osteoarthritis is often a result of a combination of these factors. For a deeper understanding, check out our blog: What is osteoarthritis? Do I have it?

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis typically develop gradually, but as the condition progresses, they can become more severe. Common symptoms, as explained by Better Health Channel, include:

• Joint pain: The most prominent symptom, joint pain can range from mild discomfort to severe pain that limits your mobility. It often worsens with movement or physical activity.
• Unstable joints: You may feel like the affected joint is unstable, or that it 'gives out' easily.
• Stiffness: Stiffness in the affected joint, particularly after long periods of inactivity or upon waking up, is another tell-tale sign.
• Grating sensation: You might feel a grating or grinding sensation when moving the joint.
• Swelling: Osteoarthritis can cause swelling in the affected joints, often due to inflammation.
• Bone spurs: These are small growths of extra bone that can form around the affected joints, often causing discomfort or visible lumps.
• Limited range of motion: As the condition progresses, you may find it harder to move the joint as freely as you once did.
• Cracking or popping sounds: Some people notice a cracking or popping sound when moving the affected joints.

Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hips, knees, fingers, and feet.

For example, you might notice a grating sensation in your knee, swelling around your fingers, or limited movement in your hips.

These symptoms can interfere with your ability to perform daily activities but, with the right support, it’s possible to maintain a high quality of life.

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, speak to your GP for professional medical advice.

Impact of osteoarthritis on daily life

According to Health Direct, osteoarthritis can affect various aspects of your daily routine. 

However, it’s important to view these impacts through the lens of the societal model of disability. 

This perspective recognises that the difficulties faced by people with osteoarthritis stem from external barriers—like inaccessible environments and inadequate support systems—rather than the condition itself. 

Here’s how osteoarthritis might impact your life, as explained by Health Direct, and how the right accommodations can help:

• Difficulty with daily activities: Pain and stiffness in your joints can make everyday tasks, like walking, climbing stairs, or even getting dressed, challenging. However, with the right modifications—such as ergonomic tools, assistive devices, and accessible environments—these tasks can become more manageable.
• Weight gain: Joint pain can limit your ability to exercise, which may lead to weight gain. This can create a cycle, as extra weight puts more strain on your joints. Low-impact exercises and proper support can help break this cycle and allow you to stay active.
• Increased risk of falls: Osteoarthritis can affect your balance, making you more prone to falls. Strengthening exercises, balance training, and modifications to your living space (like handrails and non-slip flooring) can reduce this risk.
• Emotional impact: Living with a chronic condition like osteoarthritis can be emotionally draining. Many people experience frustration, anxiety, or even depression due to pain and mobility issues. A supportive community, access to mental health resources, and understanding from employers can make a big difference in maintaining mental well-being.
• Sleep disturbances: Pain from osteoarthritis can disrupt your sleep, leading to fatigue and impacting your overall health. Finding a comfortable sleeping position, using supportive pillows, and seeking pain management treatments can help improve sleep quality.
• Reduced ability to work: Osteoarthritis can make it harder to perform certain job tasks, leading to missed workdays or a reduction in productivity. If you’re living with osteoarthritis, Disability Employment Services providers like APM can help you access workplace modifications, and flexible hours, or even assist in finding a role that better suits your needs.

While osteoarthritis can pose challenges, these barriers can be addressed through proper accommodations, treatments, and understanding from those around you.

With the right support, it’s possible to regain independence and improve your overall quality of life.

Treatment options for osteoarthritis

According to Arthritis WA, there are several treatment options available, depending on the severity of your symptoms. 

It’s crucial to visit a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and to discuss the most effective treatment plan for your circumstances. Treatment may include:

Medications

Medication is often prescribed to relieve pain and reduce inflammation associated with osteoarthritis. Options may include:

• Analgesics: These medications focus on pain relief.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Available over the counter, these can reduce both pain and inflammation.
• Counterirritants: Topical treatments that create a warming or cooling sensation, which helps distract from joint pain.
• Corticosteroids: These are powerful anti-inflammatory drugs, sometimes injected directly into the joint, to reduce pain and swelling.

It’s vital you consult a healthcare provider before trying any medication, as they can recommend the most suitable and effective option for your condition.

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy can play a crucial role in managing osteoarthritis.

A physiotherapist will work with you on exercises that strengthen the muscles around your affected joints, improve flexibility, and help reduce pain.

They may also recommend the use of braces or shoe inserts to provide additional support.

Physiotherapy doesn’t just focus on managing the physical symptoms—it can also empower you to move more confidently, reducing the risk of falls and other complications.

Lifestyle changes

Making adjustments to your daily habits can help you manage osteoarthritis and improve your overall well-being. This includes:

• Maintaining a healthy weight: Reducing the stress on your joints by maintaining a healthy weight can help ease symptoms.
• Staying active: Low-impact exercises like swimming, cycling, and walking are great ways to keep your joints moving without putting too much strain on them. Arthritis Australia explains that strengthening exercises, stretching, cardio, and balance training all contribute to better joint health and reduce the likelihood of falls.
• Protecting your joints: Avoiding activities that aggravate your affected joints can prevent further damage. Simple adjustments, like taking breaks, using assistive devices, and modifying your movements, can make a significant difference.

Self-care

Self-care is a critical part of managing osteoarthritis. This includes:

• Joint protection: Avoid activities that may strain your joints or cause injury.
• Maintaining a healthy weight: This can significantly reduce the stress on your joints, helping to slow the progression of osteoarthritis.
• Warming up and cooling down: Always warm up before and cool down after physical activity to prevent injury and keep your joints flexible.

Surgery

According to Arthritis Australia, in more advanced cases of osteoarthritis, surgery may be necessary to repair or replace damaged joints. 

Joint replacements—such as hip or knee replacements—can help restore mobility and reduce pain when other treatments haven’t worked.

Surgery is a major procedure and should only be considered after discussing all other treatment options with your healthcare provider.

When to seek help for osteoarthritis

If you are experiencing any pain in your joints, or any of the other symptoms of osteoarthritis we've mentioned, it's worth visiting your GP for an assessment.

They will be able to determine your diagnosis, by conducting a physical examination, x-rays and other imaging tests.

The sooner a diagnosis is confirmed, the better chance you'll have of effectively managing the condition before it gets worse.

While living with osteoarthritis can be challenging, with an early diagnosis, treatment plan and the right support, managing this condition is extremely achievable.

Resources and further reading

• Osteoarthritis - Arthritis WA
• Osteoarthritis: Scope of the problem - WHO
• How fat affects osteoarthritis - Arthritis Foundation
• What is osteoarthritis? Do I have it? - APM
• Emotions and arthritis - Arthritis Australia
• Fatigue and arthritis - Arthritis Australia
• Complications of OA - Health Direct
• Working with your healthcare team - Arthritis Australia
• Dealing with pain - Arthritis Australia
• Strength training - Arthritis Australia

About this article

APM supports people with disability, injury, or a health condition through various programs and services across its businesses, including Disability Employment Services in Australia.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.

When discussing disability, APM’s copy style is to use person-first language and the social model of disability in the first instance. Some articles may use identity-first language or refer to the medical model of disability for clarity or to better suit a specific audience.

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