Complications of Osteoarthritis
Topic Overview
Most people find osteoarthritis to be a nuisance that eventually becomes significant enough to affect their daily activities. And sometimes there are more serious complications.
Possible complications of
osteoarthritis
include:
- Rapid, complete breakdown of
cartilage
resulting in loose tissue material in the
joint
(chondrolysis).
- Bone death (osteonecrosis).
- Stress
fractures
(hairline crack in the bone that develops gradually in response to repeated injury or stress).
- Bleeding inside the joint.
- Infection in the joint.
- Deterioration or rupture of the tendons and ligaments around the joint, leading to loss of stability.
- Pinched nerve (in osteoarthritis of the spine).
Credits
Current as of: December 9, 2019
Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine
Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine
Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
Current as of: December 9, 2019
Author:
Healthwise Staff
Medical Review:
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & Martin J. Gabica, MD - Family Medicine & Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine & Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology