Conditions and symptoms
What Is Osteoarthritis? Why It Appears on NSAID Labels
Osteoarthritis · say it: OSS-tee-oh-ar-THRY-tisAlso written: OA, degenerative joint disease, wear-and-tear arthritis
Short answer
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, where the smooth cartilage in a joint wears and the joint becomes painful and stiff.
What it means
Osteoarthritis is a long-term joint condition. The cartilage that cushions the ends of bones thins and the joint changes shape, causing pain, stiffness and sometimes swelling. It most often affects knees, hips, hands and the spine. Pain is often worse with use and after rest. On X-rays it may be described as 'degenerative changes' or 'joint space narrowing'.
It appears on medicine labels mostly as an approved use of NSAIDs and other pain medicines. Because people with osteoarthritis may take these for a long time, the NSAID warnings about stomach bleeding, kidney effects, heart attack and stroke are especially relevant to them.
Osteoarthritis is different from rheumatoid arthritis, which is an autoimmune disease causing joint inflammation, and from osteoporosis, which is thinning of the bones.
Where you may see it
- 'Indications' sections of NSAID labels ('relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis')
- X-ray reports ('degenerative changes')
- Orthopaedic and physiotherapy letters
📄 How it looks on a report
Indicated for relief of the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
🙅 What it does not mean
- It is not the same as osteoporosis.
- It is not just a normal part of ageing that you have to put up with; treatment and exercise often help.
- It does not mean the joint will keep getting worse quickly; it often changes slowly.
🎯 Check yourself
Which of these is the right meaning of “Osteoarthritis”?
🗒️ Questions to ask your doctor
💊 Medicines whose labels mention “Osteoarthritis”
Plain-English explanations of each medicine, from its official FDA label.
- Diclofenac Sodium
A nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). The FDA class is not listed on the label.
- Ibuprofen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), a type of medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and fever
- Naproxen
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), which is a medicine that reduces pain, swelling, and inflammation
🔗 Read more from trusted sources
- “Osteoarthritis” on MedlinePlus ↗
US National Library of Medicine
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General information about a medical word, not advice about your own results. Ask the clinician who ordered the test what it means for you.