Recent Advances in the Understanding and Management of Osteoarthritis: A Comprehensive Review

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA) stands as the foremost prevalent form of arthritis, causing substantial pain and disability worldwide. According to the 2015 Global Burden of Disease study, OA exhibits a significantly higher incidence among women, doubling that of males, and its prevalence escalates with age, particularly peaking after 60 years. Symptoms of OA encompass pain, painful stiffness, and radiographic evidence, with a notable age-standardized prevalence of symptomatic hand OA at 6% and 14.4% for males and females, respectively. In India, a nation of 1.252 billion people, primary knee OA frequency was studied across five distinct locations, revealing significant risk factors such as age, sex, obesity, genetics, and nutritional factors, as well as alignment and cell/extracellular matrix interactions, crucial in articular cartilage physiology. The pathophysiology of OA is typically segmented into three stages: proteolytic degradation (Stage I), synovial inflammation (Stage II), and proinflammatory cytokine involvement (Stage III). Diagnosis relies on various modalities including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound, and optical coherence tomography (OCT). In the management of OA, both pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments are pivotal. Analgesic drugs are commonly employed, while steroid injections aim to alleviate discomfort and enhance function. Efforts in OA management and understanding continue to evolve, offering hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for affected individuals.