What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain worldwide, affecting over 595 million people in 2020¹. It can make simple movements—like bending your knees, tying shoes, or opening jars—painful or tiring. Many people also find it disrupts sleep or limits work and social life. While osteoarthritis tends to progress slowly, most people can stay active and manage their symptoms effectively through exercise and lifestyle changes.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Common symptoms include:

• Aching or burning joint pain that worsens with movement or at the end of the day
• Morning stiffness or stiffness after sitting still (“gelling”), often easing within 30 minutes
• Swelling or a feeling of fullness around the joint
• Clicking, grinding, or crackling sounds when moving
• Reduced flexibility or range of motion
• Trouble walking, climbing stairs, or gripping objects
• Fatigue or poor sleep during flare-ups

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis develops when the joint’s natural repair system can’t keep up with everyday wear, injuries, or inflammation. It’s not just “wear and tear” — it’s influenced by how we move, our weight, and our overall health.

Factors that increase risk or trigger flare-ups include:

• Getting older — the strongest risk factor
• Excess body weight that adds joint stress and inflammation
• Past joint injury or surgery
• Heavy physical work or repetitive strain (kneeling, lifting, or climbing)
• Weak muscles and low physical activity
• Family history or inherited joint shape differences
• Metabolic health issues like diabetes or heart disease

When should I see a doctor?

It is a good idea to check in with a clinician if you notice new or worsening asymmetry, changes during a growth spurt, or pain that is limiting daily life.

How is osteoarthritis treated?

Most people improve with active, non-surgical care. The goal is to reduce pain, improve strength, and help you move confidently again.

Common treatment options include:

• Education and activity modification: Learning how to balance movement and rest helps reduce flare-ups.
• Exercise-based rehabilitation: Strength, mobility, and aerobic exercise (like walking or riding a bike) improve pain and function for most people⁴
• Weight management: Even a 5–10% weight loss can significantly reduce knee and hip pain⁵
• Medications: Topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like diclofenac are first-line for joint pain; oral NSAIDs may be used when needed under medical advice²
• Injections: Corticosteroid injections can provide short-term relief, though repeated use should be limited⁶
• Surgery: Joint replacement may be considered for severe pain when other treatments no longer help.

With consistent exercise and lifestyle changes, many people feel better within weeks, with continued gains over months.

[Diagnosis & Treatment →]

Sword's approach

Sword Health helps people manage pain and movement issues with expert-guided AI care you can use from home. Our model combines clinical support with modern technology, designed to work around your life.

Sword makes recovery easier and more accessible. You get high-quality care at home, guided by clinicians and supported by smart technology.

• Care that adapts to your progress in real time
• Licensed experts guiding every step
• Simple, non-invasive, evidence-based programs
• Proven results for pain relief, movement, and satisfaction

Clinical insight

Guidelines from NICE and OARSI recommend exercise, education, and self-management as first-line care for osteoarthritis. Imaging (like X-rays or MRI) is not always needed — pain levels don’t always match what scans show, and focusing on movement leads to better long-term outcomes^{2 8}