Your knees hurt when you climb stairs. Getting up from a chair takes a little longer than it used to, and your joints feel stiff after sitting for a while. At first, you may simply accept it as part of getting older.
But when joint pain starts changing the way you walk, exercise or manage everyday tasks, it deserves more attention.
Osteoarthritis is common, but that does not mean you have to ignore its symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is a condition in which the tissues within a joint gradually change and become damaged over time. It commonly affects the knees, hips, hands and spine.
Symptoms may include:
Joint pain during or after movement
Stiffness after periods of inactivity
Tenderness around the joint
Reduced flexibility
A grating or clicking sensation
Swelling around the affected area
Difficulty performing activities that were previously easy
Symptoms can vary from mild to significantly limiting.
You do not necessarily need to seek treatment for every occasional ache. However, recurring symptoms are different.
Consider getting evaluated if:
Knee or hip pain keeps returning
Stiffness is affecting your movement
You avoid stairs or walks because of pain
Joint symptoms interfere with sleep
You have difficulty gripping objects
Your range of movement is becoming limited
Pain is gradually becoming more frequent
Everyday activities are becoming harder
Early assessment can help identify what is causing the symptoms and what type of management may be appropriate.
Not every painful knee is caused by osteoarthritis.
Joint pain may also result from an old injury, inflammatory arthritis, gout, tendon problems or other conditions. A proper assessment helps distinguish between these possibilities.
Depending on the symptoms, your doctor may perform a physical examination and recommend imaging such as an X-ray. Blood tests may sometimes be useful when another type of arthritis needs to be considered.
Once the cause is clearer, treatment can be tailored to your needs.
Treatment does not always mean surgery.
Depending on the joint involved and severity of symptoms, management may include:
Appropriate exercise
Strengthening exercises
Physiotherapy
Weight management where appropriate
Pain-relief medicines when recommended
Activity modification
Assistive devices in selected cases
Other procedures or surgery when necessary
The goal is often to reduce pain while helping you maintain movement and independence.
Imagine someone with gradually worsening knee pain. They stop going for evening walks because they are worried the activity will make the condition worse.
After evaluation, they learn that completely avoiding movement may not be helpful. A structured exercise and strengthening programme, combined with appropriate symptom management, may help them remain active within their abilities.
The right plan depends on the individual, but the example highlights an important point: treatment should not automatically mean “stop using the joint.”
Many people believe they should seek treatment only when osteoarthritis becomes severe.
Contrarian insight: Waiting until pain becomes unbearable can unnecessarily restrict your daily life. Earlier assessment may provide more opportunities to manage symptoms, maintain strength and adapt activities before they become significantly difficult.
You also do not have to choose between ignoring the pain and immediately having surgery. There are often several management steps in between.
People with osteoarthritis sometimes become afraid of movement because they believe activity will automatically damage their joints further.
In reality, appropriate physical activity is often an important part of osteoarthritis management. The type and intensity should be adjusted to the affected joint and your overall health.
Low-impact activities, strengthening and flexibility exercises may be discussed with your healthcare professional.
The CDC's 2024 estimates indicate that approximately 1 in 4 U.S. adults have doctor-diagnosed arthritis. This includes osteoarthritis and several other forms of arthritis, demonstrating how common joint conditions are and why persistent symptoms should not simply be dismissed.
Dr. Shubha Bhalla-rheumatologist evaluates patients experiencing persistent joint pain, stiffness and mobility concerns. Her approach involves understanding the pattern and severity of symptoms, considering possible causes and helping patients develop an appropriate plan for managing arthritis and maintaining everyday function.
There is currently no permanent cure that reverses osteoarthritis completely. However, treatment can help manage pain, improve movement and support daily function.
Appropriate physical activity can often be beneficial, but the right amount and type depend on the affected joint and individual circumstances. A healthcare professional can help guide your activity plan.
No. Many people manage osteoarthritis with exercise, physiotherapy, lifestyle changes and medication when appropriate. Surgery may be considered in selected cases when symptoms remain significantly limiting.
Osteoarthritis may be common, but persistent pain does not have to become something you simply accept. Understanding the cause and starting an appropriate management plan can help you stay active and protect your quality of life.
If joint pain is making stairs, walking, exercising or everyday activities increasingly difficult, consider getting a professional evaluation rather than continuing to work around the discomfort.
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