Osteoarthritis Patient Education

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (say: os-tee-oh-ar-THRY-tis) is a common problem with your joints. Joints are places where two bones meet, like your knees, hips, or fingers. Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage (the soft, slippery tissue that covers the ends of your bones) wears down over time. This causes the bones to rub against each other, which can hurt and make it hard to move.

Causes and Risk Factors

Osteoarthritis happens mostly because of:

Getting older — it is more common as people get older.
Using joints a lot — like doing hard work or sports.
Injury — hurting a joint can lead to osteoarthritis later.
Being overweight — extra weight puts pressure on joints like knees.
Family history — if your parents had it, you might get it too.

Signs and Symptoms

At first, you might notice:

Mild pain in your joint after using it.
Stiffness, especially after resting or waking up.
A feeling that your joint is not as flexible.
Swelling or tenderness.

As it gets worse, pain may come more often and last longer. You may also hear clicking or grinding sounds when you move the joint.

Early Warning Signs

Pain after simple activities.
Trouble bending or straightening a joint.
Feeling stiff for more than 30 minutes after resting.

Complications if Untreated or Not Following Treatment

Increased pain and stiffness.
Loss of joint use or movement.
Difficulty doing daily tasks like walking, climbing stairs, or holding things.
More risk of falling because of weak joints.
Needing surgery if damage gets very bad.

Treatment and Self-Care Measures

You can take steps to feel better and protect your joints:

Exercise regularly — low-impact activities like walking, swimming, or biking help keep joints flexible and muscles strong.
Keep a healthy weight — less weight means less pressure on your joints.
Use heat or cold packs — heat relaxes muscles; cold reduces swelling.
Protect your joints — use supports like braces if needed.
Take breaks — don’t overuse painful joints.

Common Medications

Pain relievers: Acetaminophen (Tylenol) helps with pain.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): Like ibuprofen (Advil) reduce pain and swelling.
Topical creams: Medicines you put on your skin to help joint pain.
Prescription medicines: Sometimes stronger medicines if needed.

Side Effects to Know:

NSAIDs can cause stomach upset or bleeding.
Always take medicines as your doctor says.

Dietary Needs

Eat a balanced diet with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Foods rich in omega-3 (like fish) can help reduce inflammation.
Avoid too much sugar and processed foods.

Lifestyle Changes

Stay active but avoid heavy impact on joints.
Use tools that help, like grabbers or special shoes.
Get enough rest.
Stop smoking if you smoke.

Safety Considerations

Use handrails and non-slip mats to prevent falls.
Wear comfortable shoes.
Avoid sudden twisting or heavy lifting.
Ask for help when needed.

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

Keep moving with gentle exercise.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Avoid injuries.
See your doctor regularly for check-ups.

When to Call for Help

Call the Home Health Agency or Doctor if you:

Have increased joint pain or swelling that is not getting better.
Notice new redness, warmth, or warmth around the joint.
Feel sudden weakness or numbness.
Are having trouble with daily activities like walking or dressing.
Need help managing your medications or exercises.
Have signs of side effects from your medicines (like stomach pain or rash).
Your joint becomes stiff and hard to move.

Go to the Emergency Room (ER) if you:

Have sudden, severe joint pain with swelling and redness.
Cannot move the joint at all.
Have a fever with joint pain (this could be an infection).
Experience sudden numbness or weakness in a limb.
Have fallen and hurt your joint badly.
Notice sudden chest pain, trouble breathing, or other serious symptoms.

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Please read each statement below. Circle True if the statement is correct or False if it is incorrect. If the statement is False, please correct it in your own words.

True or False: Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in your joints wears down.
True or False: Only old people get osteoarthritis.
True or False: Being overweight can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
True or False: Osteoarthritis can cause pain and stiffness in your joints.
True or False: Exercise is bad for people with osteoarthritis.
True or False: You should avoid all movement to protect your joints from osteoarthritis.
True or False: Taking NSAIDs can help reduce pain and swelling in osteoarthritis.
True or False: You should take more medicine than prescribed if the pain is bad.
True or False: A balanced diet with fruits and vegetables can help manage osteoarthritis.
True or False: You should go to the emergency room if your joint is very painful, swollen, and warm with a fever.
True or False: Stiffness after resting for more than 30 minutes is an early sign of osteoarthritis.
True or False: Heat packs can help relax muscles around painful joints.
True or False: Osteoarthritis can be cured completely with medicine.
True or False: Using braces or supports can help protect your joints.
True or False: You should stop exercising if your joint hurts even a little.
True or False: Smoking does not affect osteoarthritis.
True or False: Maintaining a healthy weight can reduce joint stress.
True or False: If you suddenly cannot move your joint, you should call your doctor the next week.
True or False: You should tell your doctor if you have side effects from your medicine.
True or False: Falling and injuring a joint means you should go to the emergency room.

Individualized Questions for You

What joints do you feel pain or stiffness in the most?
Have you noticed any swelling, warmth, or redness in your joints?
What medicines are you currently taking for your osteoarthritis?
Do you have any side effects from your medicines?
How often do you exercise, and what types of activities do you do?
Have you had any recent injuries to your joints?
What does your typical diet look like? Do you eat fruits, vegetables, or fish regularly?
Have you noticed any changes in your ability to do daily tasks like walking, dressing, or cooking?
When was your last visit to your doctor for your osteoarthritis?
Have you had any lab tests or X-rays related to your joints? If so, what were the results?

If you want, I can also provide a printable PDF version of this education with the assessment sheet for easy use.

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Osteoarthritis Patient Education

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a condition that happens when the cartilage—the soft, smooth tissue that cushions your joints—starts to wear away. This causes your bones to rub together, which can hurt and make it hard to move your joints.

Causes and Risk Factors

Getting older
Using the same joints a lot (like from work or sports)
Injuries to joints
Being overweight, which puts more stress on joints
Family history of osteoarthritis

Signs and Symptoms

Joint pain, especially after using the joint
Stiffness, especially after resting or in the morning
Swelling or tenderness in the joint
Feeling your joint grind or crack when you move it
Trouble moving the joint fully

Early Warning Signs

Pain after simple activities like walking or climbing stairs
Joint stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes after resting
Mild swelling or tenderness

What Happens If You Don’t Get Treatment?

Pain and stiffness get worse
Joints become harder to move
You may have trouble doing daily activities like walking or dressing
Risk of falls increases because of weak joints
May need surgery if the damage is bad

Treatment and Self-Care

Exercise regularly with gentle activities like walking, swimming, or biking
Keep a healthy weight to reduce joint pressure
Use heat packs to relax muscles or cold packs to reduce swelling
Protect your joints by using braces or supports if needed
Take breaks and avoid overusing painful joints

Medicines You Might Take

Pain relievers: Like acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain
NSAIDs: Like ibuprofen (Advil) to reduce pain and swelling
Topical creams: Medicines applied to skin over joints
Sometimes stronger medicines your doctor prescribes

Be careful: NSAIDs can cause stomach upset or bleeding. Always take medicine as directed.

Eating for Healthy Joints

Eat lots of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein
Include omega-3 fatty acids (like fish) to help with inflammation
Avoid too much sugar and processed foods

Lifestyle Tips

Stay active but avoid heavy impact on your joints
Use tools like grabbers to protect your joints
Rest when needed
Quit smoking if you smoke

Safety Tips

Use handrails and non-slip mats to avoid falls
Wear comfortable shoes
Avoid sudden twisting or heavy lifting
Ask for help if needed

How to Prevent Flare-Ups

Keep moving gently every day
Maintain a healthy weight
Avoid injuries
See your doctor regularly for check-ups

When to Call for Help

Call your Home Health Agency or Doctor if:

Your joint pain or swelling gets worse and doesn’t improve
The joint feels warm, red, or swollen
You feel weakness or numbness in the joint or nearby areas
You have trouble doing daily tasks
You notice side effects from your medicines, like stomach pain or rash
Your joint feels very stiff or hard to move

Go to the Emergency Room if:

You have sudden, severe joint pain with swelling and redness
You cannot move the joint at all
You have a fever along with joint pain (possible infection)
You feel sudden numbness or weakness in an arm or leg
You fall and hurt your joint badly
You have chest pain, difficulty breathing, or other serious symptoms

Patient Homework / Assessment

Instructions: Read each statement below. Circle True if the statement is correct or False if it is not. If the statement is False, please write the correct answer.

True or False: Osteoarthritis happens because the cartilage in joints wears down.
True or False: Only elderly people can get osteoarthritis.
True or False: Being overweight can increase your risk of osteoarthritis.
True or False: Joint pain and stiffness are signs of osteoarthritis.
True or False: You should avoid all exercise if you have osteoarthritis.
True or False: Gentle exercise can help improve osteoarthritis symptoms.
True or False: NSAIDs can help reduce pain and swelling in osteoarthritis.
True or False: It is safe to take more medicine than your doctor says if pain is bad.
True or False: Eating fruits and vegetables is good for your joints.
True or False: You should go to the emergency room if your joint is very painful and red with a fever.
True or False: Stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes after resting can be an early sign of osteoarthritis.
True or False: Heat packs can help relax sore muscles around joints.
True or False: Osteoarthritis can be completely cured with medicine.
True or False: Wearing braces can protect your joints.
True or False: You should stop all activity if your joint hurts a little.
True or False: Smoking has no effect on osteoarthritis.
True or False: Maintaining a healthy weight helps reduce joint stress.
True or False: If you suddenly cannot move your joint, you should wait a week before calling your doctor.
True or False: You should tell your doctor if you have side effects from your medicines.
True or False: You should go to the emergency room after a bad fall that hurts your joint.

Individualized QUESTIONS About Your Osteoarthritis

Which joints hurt or feel stiff the most?
Do you notice swelling, redness, or warmth in your joints?
What medicines do you take for your osteoarthritis?
Have you had any side effects from your medicines?
How often do you exercise? What types of exercise do you do?
Have you had any recent injuries to your joints?
What do you usually eat? Do you eat fruits, vegetables, or fish regularly?
Are you able to do daily activities like walking, dressing, and cooking?
When did you last see your doctor for your osteoarthritis?
Have you had any lab tests or X-rays for your joints? What were the results?