Yes, osteoarthritis (OA) commonly causes significant fatigue, a feeling of exhaustion and lack of energy that isn't relieved by rest, impacting daily functioning and quality of life, often stemming from pain, inflammation, disrupted sleep, and the physical effort of managing the condition. It's a widespread symptom, affecting nearly half of OA patients, and is considered a major challenge, similar to fatigue in autoimmune arthritis types.
Fatigue significantly affects the quality of life for people with many forms of arthritis-related diseases, including rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, spondyloarthritis, lupus, fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is a disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain, stiffness and mobility issues of osteoarthritis.
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Osteoarthritis progresses through four stages, from Stage 1 (Minor) with slight cartilage wear and minimal pain, to Stage 2 (Mild) with more noticeable bone spurs and stiffness, then to Stage 3 (Moderate) where cartilage erodes, causing pain and inflammation, and finally to Stage 4 (Severe), characterized by bone-on-bone contact, significant cartilage loss, severe pain, and limited mobility, often requiring surgery.
The two lifestyle factors that slow the progression of arthritis are interconnected: physical fitness and weight loss. I routinely encourage my patients to engage in regular low-impact exercises to help maintain flexibility while strengthening the muscles around the affected joint.
The severity of osteoarthritis plays a pivotal role in determining SSDI eligibility. Severe osteoarthritis that markedly restricts mobility and hampers the ability to perform routine tasks may be deemed a disability.
“Low-impact exercises, like walking, cycling or using an elliptical machine are smart choices,” says Dr. Zikria. “If you run, play basketball or do other high-impact activities, avoid hard surfaces and don't do it every day.” Multiple studies show that mild to moderate exercise is beneficial for people with arthritis.
The most common triggers of an OA flare are overdoing an activity or trauma to the joint.
Hot or cold packs. Applying hot or cold packs to the joints can relieve the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some people. A hot-water bottle filled with either hot or cold water and applied to the affected area can be very effective in reducing pain.
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It is not an infectious or contagious condition. Osteoarthritis is primarily a localized condition that occurs within a specific joint. However, it is important to note that while osteoarthritis does not spread from joint to joint, it can affect multiple joints in the body simultaneously.
Lack of movement: During sleep, your body takes a break from its usual physical activity. While this rest is important for recovery, it can also mean your muscles and joints don't get the regular movement they need to stay limber. As a result, you might wake up a bit stiff and creaky.
To help manage fatigue, a person can take regular breaks, practice good sleep hygiene, and get regular physical activity. If a person experiences frequent fatigue, they should contact a doctor for advice.
Arthritis can affect people of all ages and may cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in the joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a specific type of arthritis that affects the cartilage in the joints. Cartilage is the protective tissue that covers the ends of bones and allows them to move smoothly against each other.
Pain can for some people be so mild they hardly notice it whilst for others it can be so severe that their mobility and way of life is affected. It is at this stage that you can find that the osteoarthritis can confine you to a wheelchair.
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Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, symptoms are usually not symmetrical and don't make you feel ill overall. Pain can worsen with activity or weather changes, while morning stiffness usually eases within 30 minutes.
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As of 2025, PRP has moved beyond being an experimental therapy. It is now recognized as one of the leading biologic options for knee osteoarthritis. Ongoing studies are exploring how PRP can be combined with stem cell therapy or other regenerative techniques to further enhance outcomes.
If you've tried multiple conservative measures without significant relief of your knee pain and Dr. Svabek finds considerable damage in your joint, you may be a good candidate for a knee replacement. Dr. Svabek also suggests a knee replacement if your arthritis is so severe you can't complete your daily tasks.
In general, people with hip pain experience worse symptoms when climbing stairs. People in occupations which include climbing stairs may seek treatment earlier than other workers because of this pain.
if you do not have a job and cannot work because of your illness, you may be entitled to Employment and Support Allowance. if you're aged 64 or under and need help with personal care or have walking difficulties, you may be eligible for the Personal Independence Payment.
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Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Common pain relievers, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), taken at the recommended doses, typically relieve osteoarthritis pain. Stronger NSAIDs are available by prescription.
The most common causes of an OA flare-up are overdoing an activity and injuring a joint. Other things that can trigger flares are: An infection, like a cold or the flu. Growths on the ends of your bones called bone spurs.