Treating Osteoarthritis

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Do your knees and other joints hurt? If you are over fifty it might be a result of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a disease that happens when the protective cartilage in the joints wears down and the bones rub together. If you have had knee injuries in the past you are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.

The most common symptoms are limited range of motion, pain with activity, swelling and - in the case of the knee - feeling like it is going to give out.

As doctors we often check xrays to double check the diagnosis but some of the best treatments are things you can control such as losing weight which takes pressure off of the joints, strengthening the area around the joint through physical therapy and pain medications when necessary.

The sooner you attack the problem, the better you will feel.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor