In this episode, we review osteoarthritis, the most common degenerative joint disease and a major cause of chronic pain and disability worldwide. We discuss the underlying pathophysiology of cartilage breakdown, osteophyte formation, and low-grade joint inflammation that leads to progressive joint dysfunction. Key clinical features such as activity-related joint pain, brief morning stiffness, crepitus, and characteristic hand findings—including Heberden and Bouchard nodes—are highlighted, along with the role of imaging in confirming the diagnosis. We also cover evidence-based management strategies, including lifestyle modification, exercise therapy, NSAIDs, intra-articular corticosteroid injections, and indications for joint replacement. This episode concludes with practical clinical pearls to help clinicians recognize osteoarthritis and differentiate it from inflammatory arthritis in everyday practice.

References

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2) Duong V, Oo WM, Ding C, Culvenor AG, Hunter DJ. Evaluation and Treatment of Knee Pain: A Review. JAMA. 2023;330(16):1568–1580. doi:10.1001/jama.2023.19675

3) Kolasinski SL., et al. 2020 Feb;72(2):149-162. doi: 10.1002/acr.24131. Epub 2020 Jan 6. Erratum in: Arthritis Care Res (Hoboken). 2021 May;73(5):764. doi: 10.1002/acr.24615. PMID: 31908149; PMCID: PMC11488261.

4) Shtroblia, V., Petakh, P., Kamyshna, I., Halabitska, I., & Kamyshnyi, O. (2025). Recent advances in the management of knee osteoarthritis: A narrative review. Frontiers in Medicine, 12, Article 1523027. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2025.1523027