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Osteoarthritis

Information, resources and tools to help you manage your osteoarthritis symptoms and improve function.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. It affects more Canadians than all other forms of arthritis combined. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease of the whole joint that leads to the breakdown of joint cartilage and the underlying bone. (Cartilage is the tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones).

Healty knee joint and damaged asteoarthritis kneeJoints require the body to regularly repair and replenish damaged tissues. Damage to joint tissues can occur through the normal function of a joint. When the body is not able to keep up with the repair process, or if there is too much tissue that requires repair to take place, osteoarthritis may begin to develop. For most people, this damage can occur when otherwise healthy joints are exposed to heavy workloads over a long period of time. However, for some people whose joints are formed differently or who have experienced a previous joint injury, even regular workloads can accelerate joint damage. Being overweight or obese is also a risk factor for developing osteoarthritis since additional body weight can cause significant stress on weight-bearing joints.

There is currently no cure for osteoarthritis, however, there are ways to manage the symptoms and how you function in daily life. This can include a combination of self-management strategies, medications, treatment by healthcare professionals specializing in orthopedic care and, for severe osteoarthritis, possibly joint replacement surgery.

Click on the cards below to learn about osteoarthritis and how to manage it to live well.

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Online Learning Guides

 

Learning modules to help you cope and thrive when living with osteoarthritis.

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Arthritis Talks Webinars

 

Arthritis Talks webinars on the latest guidance direct from arthritis experts to help you get more out of life with osteoarthritis.

Complementary Therapies and Emerging Treatments

Rheumatologist Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles discusses complementary therapies and emerging treatments for arthritis being studied around...
Rheumatologist Dr. Mary-Ann Fitzcharles discusses complementary therapies and emerging treatments for arthritis being studied around the world.

Strategies to Manage Your Pain

The webinar discusses about pain, arthritis and the complexities of pain; strategies and tips to manage your pain; things to think...
The webinar discusses about pain, arthritis and the complexities of pain; strategies and tips to manage your pain; things to think about if you are considering or using medical cannabis to manage your arthritis pain; and how to access and use cannabis safely.

Delayed Surgery and Arthritis Pain

The webinar discusses what to do if your surgery has been delayed, how to manage your arthritis pain and strategies to keep you...
The webinar discusses what to do if your surgery has been delayed, how to manage your arthritis pain and strategies to keep you moving in the age of COVID-19.

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This resource was made possible through unrestricted educational grants from:

Arthritis alliance of Canada
IA Financial Group
Pfizer
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