Osteoarthritis (OA)
What is Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition where the joints in your body become inflamed and damaged. This inflammation comes from cartilage degeneration that protects the ends of your bones. Over time, the cartilage layer that protects the ends of your bones wears away and new spikes of bone develop. Without cartilage, the bones in the joint rub together, causing pain, swelling, stiffness and reduced mobility. This can make it harder for you to walk, climb stairs, or do other daily activities.
The condition can affect any joint in your body, but often it affects the knees, hips, fingers, hands, big toes, ankles and spine. It can worsen over time with ageing and regular wear and tear.
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in Australia. It is not the same as osteoporosis, a different condition where your bones become weak, fragile and more likely to break. For more information, speak with your qualified physiotherapist.
What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
- joint pain and stiffness
- problems with moving joints
- clicking noises or grating sensations when moving a joint
- less joint flexibility than before
- swelling and weakness of a joint
When you first develop osteoarthritis, you may only notice symptoms in your joints when you are moving them. As time goes on, you might notice symptoms with less activity or when you’re at rest. Some people have mild symptoms, while others may experience more severe, ongoing or chronic symptoms.
How can we help?
At Fortius Allied Health, we’re about inspiring and helping you to move your body, and experience life unrestrained by pain, injury, disease and illness.
Our treatment approach focuses on evidence-based physiotherapy and exercise physiology to improve joint health, provide support, and help you stay active. This may involve guided exercise, pain management, and referral for medication or other medicines when required. We also provide education, resources and strategies to control symptoms and reduce risk factors.
Whatever your favourite way to move is (physical activity, exercise, sport, active play, etc) we will help you to keep moving and doing the things you love longer.
We are a team on the Sunshine Coast, combining physiotherapy and exercise physiology. Our physiotherapists can assist with assessment, diagnosis, and the safe use of exercise programs suited to your age and ability. We can’t wait to share our philosophy and help you get moving again!
Are you having a joint replacement?
Joint School is a pre-surgical education program that is delivered by one of our Physiotherapists in conjunction with a Nurse Practitioner from the Sunshine Coast Orthopaedic Group. This program provides resources, education, and ongoing support before and after surgery. It aims to help you recover well, improve mobility, and safely return to activity.
