What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint condition where cartilage gradually breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and structural changes. It is the most common form of arthritis in Australia Source: AIHW. It most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Osteoarthritis is primarily diagnosed clinically — based on symptoms and physical examination. X-rays can support the diagnosis but are not essential. Typical symptoms include joint pain worse with activity, brief morning stiffness (under 30 minutes), and bony swelling. Blood tests are used to rule out other causes.

Is osteoarthritis just wear and tear?

OA is often described as wear and tear but it is an active disease process involving cartilage, bone, and joint tissues. Age and prior joint injury are risk factors, but OA involves ongoing biological changes that can be influenced by treatment — it is not simply an inevitable result of ageing.

What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis?

Exercise is the most evidence-based treatment for osteoarthritis — both land-based and aquatic. Weight management significantly reduces load on affected joints. Paracetamol and topical NSAIDs are first-line analgesia. Joint replacement is effective for severe hip or knee OA not responding to conservative management.

What Does an Osteoarthritis Diagnosis Mean?

What osteoarthritis is

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a condition where the cartilage that cushions joints gradually breaks down, causing pain, stiffness, and changes in the structure of the joint. It is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of Australians.

Cartilage is the smooth tissue at the end of bones inside a joint. It allows bones to glide over each other and absorbs shock. In osteoarthritis, cartilage breaks down over time. As cartilage thins, bones can rub together, and changes can occur in the bone itself — including bone spurs (osteophytes) forming at the joint edges.

OA is not simply "wear and tear" — it is an active disease process involving the cartilage, bone, synovial membrane, tendons, and ligaments of the joint. It can affect any joint but most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine.

How it's diagnosed

Osteoarthritis is primarily a clinical diagnosis — based on your symptoms and a physical examination. Your GP will ask about:

Joint pain — typically worse with activity and improved with rest (in early OA); later, pain can occur at rest
Morning stiffness — usually brief (less than 30 minutes), which distinguishes OA from inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid arthritis
Bony swelling or deformity around the joint
Crepitus — a grinding or cracking sensation on movement

X-rays can support the diagnosis, showing typical findings such as narrowing of the joint space, osteophytes, and bony changes — but X-ray severity does not always match symptom severity. Significant X-ray changes can be present with minimal symptoms, and vice versa.

Blood tests are not used to diagnose OA but may be ordered to rule out other causes such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, or pseudogout.

📋 This page provides general information only — not medical advice. Your GP or healthcare provider knows your individual circumstances and history. Always follow their personalised advice.

Management in Australia

The evidence-based management of osteoarthritis in Australia focuses on non-surgical approaches first:

Exercise — the single most important treatment. Both land-based and aquatic exercise reduce pain and improve function. Physiotherapy can guide a program tailored to your joints and fitness.
Weight management — even modest weight loss significantly reduces load on weight-bearing joints. A dietitian can assist through a GP Management Plan.
Analgesia — paracetamol and topical NSAIDs (such as diclofenac gel) are first-line pain relief. Oral NSAIDs may be used for short periods in selected patients. Opioids are not recommended for long-term OA management.
Education and self-management — understanding the condition, activity pacing, and joint protection strategies
Joint replacement surgery — an effective option for severe OA not responding to conservative management, primarily for hip and knee OA

The RACGP and Osteoarthritis Australia (now Arthritis Australia) provide evidence-based self-management programs. Ask your GP about the MOVE program and Joint Action program available in most states.

📞

Need support or information about osteoarthritis?

Find condition-specific support organisations, helplines, and community services on helplines.com.au — Australia's directory of health and support services.

Find osteoarthritis support → helplines.com.au

Tools on AskMyGP

💉

Joint Injections — Cortisone vs HA vs PRP

What works, what doesn't, and what Medicare covers.

⚖️

BMI Calculator

Weight management is key in joint OA.

📋

GP Management Plan Eligibility

Access subsidised physio and dietitian with OA.

This page explains what a diagnosis means in general terms. It is not a substitute for advice from your GP or specialist, who will interpret your diagnosis in the context of your individual history, test results, medications, and circumstances. Management of any condition should be discussed with and directed by your treating clinician.