Osteoarthritis - Basics to Mastery

Stiff mornings, noisy knees, and uncertain choices end here. This reader-friendly, evidence-grounded guide explains how degenerative joint changes emerge in cartilage, synovium, and subchondral bone-and what you can realistically do about them. You'll learn to decode symptoms, read imaging reports, set priorities with your clinician, and build a home program that actually fits life. Follow a day in the life of "Riya, " a 52-year-old teacher, as she weighs bracing, weight management, topical NSAIDs, injections, and-only if needed-joint replacement.
Clear frameworks turn research into action: strengthening and gait drills, pacing strategies, footwear tweaks, and recovery checklists. Whether you're newly diagnosed, supporting a loved one, or a rehab professional seeking practical algorithms, this book blends science with step-by-step planning so you can move with confidence.? Pathophysiology made simple: cartilage wear, osteophytes, synovitis, and bone stress-told with graphics and plain-language analogies.? Risk maps: age, prior injury, alignment, metabolic health, and activity load-plus how to modify what's modifiable.? Diagnosis demystified: symptom patterns, exam basics, when X-rays suffice, and why MRI is not routine.? What works, when: exercise dosing, weight management, braces/orthoses, topical vs oral NSAIDs, corticosteroid pros/cons, hyaluronic evidence, and supplements with realistic expectations.? Decision points: shared-decision checklists for injections and arthroplasty, with complication awareness and rehab timelines.? Self-management playbook: pacing, sleep, heat/cold, balance training, fall-proofing the home, flare plans, and return-to-walk/run progressions.