Osteoarthritis: Causes, Symptoms, and What Works in India

When your knees ache after walking, or your hips stiffen up in the morning, it might not just be aging—it could be osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease where cartilage breaks down, causing pain and reduced movement. Also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, it’s the most common joint disorder in India, especially after age 40. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which is autoimmune, osteoarthritis happens because your joints simply can’t keep up with years of use, weight, or injury.

This isn’t just about knees. It hits hips, hands, spine, and even the big toe. If you’ve ever struggled to climb stairs, grip a cup, or stand up from a chair without help, you’ve felt osteoarthritis in action. It doesn’t show up on X-rays overnight—it creeps in slowly. Many people ignore early signs, thinking it’s normal. But ignoring it makes things worse. The longer you wait, the more damage builds up, and the harder it becomes to fix without surgery.

What makes osteoarthritis worse in India? Weight gain, lack of movement, poor nutrition, and delayed care. A lot of people try home remedies—hot oil massages, turmeric paste, or herbal oils—but while these might soothe pain temporarily, they don’t stop the cartilage from wearing away. The real fix? Managing weight, strengthening muscles around the joint, and seeing the right doctor early. A rheumatologist, a specialist who treats joint and autoimmune diseases can confirm the diagnosis with tests and suggest the right path. If it’s advanced, a orthopedic surgeon, a doctor trained in bone and joint surgery might talk about knee replacement, which is now one of the most common orthopedic procedures in the country.

Some people think surgery is the last resort. It’s not. For many, it’s the best way to get back to walking, working, or playing with grandkids. The key is timing—wait too long, and recovery gets harder. Don’t wait until you can’t walk at all. The posts below cover what really works: from non-surgical relief options to what to expect before and after joint replacement. You’ll find clear answers on who qualifies for surgery, what pain meds are safe long-term, and how to avoid the traps of false remedies. This isn’t theory—it’s what people in India are dealing with every day, and what actually helps them move again.