K.N.O.W. Home Health - OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis

Patient Education on Osteoarthritis

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It happens when the smooth tissue (cartilage) that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time. Without enough cartilage, bones rub together, which can cause pain, stiffness, and swelling.

What Causes Osteoarthritis?

Aging: Cartilage naturally wears down as we get older.

Past Injuries: Injuries like broken bones or torn ligaments may increase the risk.

Repetitive Use: Doing the same movement for work or sports can stress joints.

Extra Weight: Carrying too much weight adds stress, especially on knees, hips, and feet.

Family History: It can run in families.

Risks of Osteoarthritis

Pain and stiffness that limit daily activities (walking, cooking, dressing).

Less ability to exercise, which can lead to other health problems.

Difficulty sleeping due to joint pain.

Increased risk of falls from stiff or painful joints.

Mood changes, such as feeling frustrated or sad from chronic pain.

How to Reduce the Risks and Manage Symptoms

Even though OA cannot be cured, there are many ways to reduce symptoms and slow down problems:

1. Stay Active (but gentle):

Walking, swimming, or biking keeps joints flexible.

Stretching helps reduce stiffness.

Avoid high-impact activities that pound the joints (like running on hard surfaces).

2. Manage Your Weight:

Even small weight loss can take stress off the knees, hips, and feet.

Healthy eating helps protect your overall health too.

3. Protect Your Joints:

Use supportive shoes.

Lift with your legs, not your back.

Use canes, walkers, or braces if your doctor recommends them.

4. Use Heat or Cold:

Heat relaxes stiff muscles and joints.

Cold packs can reduce swelling and pain.

5. Follow Your Treatment Plan:

Take medicines only as prescribed.

Tell your nurse or doctor about any side effects.

Physical therapy can improve strength and movement.

6. Safety at Home:

Use non-slip rugs.

Install grab bars in bathrooms.

Keep walkways clear to lower fall risk.

When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

New or worsening joint pain or swelling.

Redness or warmth in a joint.

Trouble doing daily activities.

Side effects from medications (stomach upset, rash, or dizziness).

When to Go to the Emergency Room (ER)

Sudden, severe pain and you cannot move the joint.

Joint looks deformed after an injury.

High fever with a swollen joint (could mean infection).

Sudden chest pain, shortness of breath, or fainting (not from arthritis, but very serious).

Key Points to Remember

Osteoarthritis is not curable, but you can reduce symptoms and stay active.

Movement is medicine – gentle activity helps more than bed rest.

Weight management can make a big difference in pain.

Call your nurse or doctor if you notice changes – don’t wait until it gets worse.

20 True/False Statements

True or False: Osteoarthritis happens when cartilage wears down in the joints.

True or False: Being overweight can make osteoarthritis symptoms worse.

True or False: Gentle exercise can help keep joints flexible.

True or False: Heat and cold packs may help reduce pain and stiffness.

True or False: Only people over 70 can get osteoarthritis.

True or False: Injuries from the past can increase your risk for osteoarthritis.

True or False: Staying in bed all day is the best way to protect your joints.

True or False: Using a cane, walker, or braces may help reduce joint stress.

True or False: Osteoarthritis is not contagious.

True or False: Physical therapy can help improve strength and movement.

True or False: Losing weight may help reduce pain in the knees and hips.

True or False: Eating healthy foods can support joint and overall health.

True or False: Osteoarthritis can cause stiffness that is worse in the morning or after sitting.

True or False: You should call your doctor if you notice new swelling or redness in a joint.

True or False: It is safe to take more medicine than prescribed if pain is very bad.

True or False: Osteoarthritis may limit daily activities like walking or cooking.

True or False: Joint replacement surgery is sometimes needed in severe cases.

True or False: Osteoarthritis always affects both sides of the body equally.

True or False: Safety steps at home, like using non-slip rugs, can help lower fall risk.

True or False: You should go to the ER if you suddenly cannot move your joint or if it looks deformed.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

How does your joint pain or stiffness affect your ability to do daily activities like bathing, walking, or preparing meals?

What methods (exercise, medicine, heat/cold, weight control) have you tried to manage your symptoms, and which ones help you the most?

Do you notice your joint pain is worse in the morning, after sitting, or after activity?

Have you made any changes at home (like grab bars, non-slip rugs, or using a cane/walker) to help lower your risk of falling or injury?

Answer Key

True

False – Younger adults can develop OA, especially after injuries.

True

False – Movement helps protect joints, not bed rest.

True

False – Taking more medicine than prescribed can be dangerous.

True

False – It may affect one side more than the other.

True