Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint disease involving cartilage, underlying bone, ligaments, muscles and synovium. It is not simply “cartilage wearing out with age”.

Knees, hips, hands and spine are often affected. Risk is increased by injuries, excess weight, muscle weakness, genetics, overload, age and some metabolic factors.

Symptoms

Pain with load, stiffness after rest, crepitus, limited movement, intermittent swelling and reduced function are typical. Imaging findings do not always match pain intensity.

Keto And Weight

Weight loss can significantly reduce load on knees and hips. Low-carb eating is useful if it helps control weight and inflammatory factors without muscle loss.

What Helps

Resistance exercise, walking as tolerated, physical therapy, sleep, enough protein, weight correction, comfortable footwear and prescribed pain control matter. Complete rest usually worsens function.

When To See A Doctor

Sudden swelling, redness, high fever, trauma, sudden inability to bear weight or night pain require assessment to exclude other causes.

Why Muscles Matter

Strong muscles around a joint reduce load on painful structures and improve stability. Reasonable resistance work and gradual activity increases often help more than complete rest or trying to protect the joint at any cost.

Pain does not always mean damage; in osteoarthritis, load should be dosed so the joint receives movement without a prolonged flare.