Osteoarthritis diagnosis & treatment in Bhubaneswar
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis — the cartilage cushioning your joints breaks down over time, causing joint pain that worsens with activity, stiffness and swelling.
What is osteoarthritis?
wear-and-tear of the joints
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, caused by breakdown of the cartilage in your joints over time.
- Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis, especially seen in older adults.
- OA is sometimes called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis.
- It develops as the cartilage that cushions the joints breaks down over time.
- The knees, hips, hands and spine are the joints most commonly affected.
Signs & symptoms
what OA feels like
- Joint pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest.
- Stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Swelling around affected joints.
- Reduced range of motion and difficulty moving the joint normally.
- Grating or crunching sensation (crepitus) when moving the joint.
- Bone spurs or hard lumps around joints, particularly in fingers.
- Joint tenderness when pressing on or near the affected area.
- Joint instability or a feeling that the joint may “give way.”
Watch: OARC on osteoarthritis and joint pain (opens YouTube)
Joint pain that worsens with activity and eases with rest? See a specialist early — early diagnosis and proper management help control symptoms, maintain joint function and prevent long-term disability.
Book AppointmentWhat causes
osteoarthritis?
- Aging: The most common risk factor; cartilage naturally wears down over time.
- Joint injury or overuse: Previous injuries, repetitive movements, or heavy physical activity can damage cartilage.
- Genetics: Family history of OA can increase susceptibility.
- Obesity: Extra weight puts stress on weight-bearing joints like knees and hips.
- Joint deformities: Congenital or acquired bone/joint abnormalities can contribute to OA.
- Other diseases: Conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or metabolic disorders may increase OA risk.
Osteoarthritis
at a glance
Risk factors include aging, obesity, joint injury, genetics and joint deformities.
If untreated, OA can lead to worsening pain, decreased mobility and joint deformity.
How osteoarthritis
is diagnosed
Diagnosis starts with your history and a physical examination — tests are then used to confirm OA and rule out other types of arthritis.
Doctors assess joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and reduced range of motion.
X-rays or MRI scans help detect cartilage loss, bone spurs, or joint space narrowing.
Blood tests may be done to rule out other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
In some cases, fluid from the affected joint is examined to exclude infection or crystal-induced arthritis.
Watch: more on arthritis care from OARC (opens YouTube)
How osteoarthritis
is treated
Medications
- Pain relievers (acetaminophen) for mild pain.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Topical creams or gels for localized joint pain.
Physical therapy & exercise
Strengthens muscles around joints, improves flexibility, and reduces stiffness.
Lifestyle modifications
Weight management to reduce stress on joints, low-impact exercises, and a healthy diet.
Assistive devices
Canes, braces, or shoe inserts to support affected joints and improve mobility.
Surgical options
Joint replacement or repair in severe cases where conservative treatments fail.
Consultations with the OARC rheumatology team run Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM and 4:30–9:00 PM. Call +91 93386 53086 or book online.
How OARC Can Help?
At OARC, we offer holistic care to patients suffering from all kinds of arthritis and autoimmune diseases by our renowned rheumatologists. Because of the chronic nature of the disease, we spend time with the patient helping them to know about their disease, and demystify the myths regarding the disease and treatment. We have collaboration with an NABL accredited laboratory where all kinds of blood tests can be done at reasonable costs. We also have a patient support system which patients can approach in case of any emergency. We believe in a friendly relation with patients so that they can share all their sufferings and get the best possible treatment.
- Best doctors to treat
- State-of-the-art clinic
- All facilities available under one roof
- NABL accredited laboratory
- Same-day test results
- Convenient location
What happens if OA
is left untreated?
If osteoarthritis is left untreated, the condition can progressively worsen, leading to increased joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. Over time, the cartilage continues to wear down, which may cause bone-on-bone contact, bone spurs, and joint deformities. This can result in reduced mobility, difficulty performing daily activities, and a lower quality of life. In severe cases, untreated OA may make simple tasks like walking, climbing stairs, or gripping objects extremely challenging. Early diagnosis and proper management are essential to control symptoms, maintain joint function, and prevent long-term disability.
Questions to ask your doctor
- Which medications are right for my level of pain, and how long should I take them?
- What exercises and physical therapy would help my affected joints?
- How much would weight management reduce the stress on my joints?
- Would a cane, brace or shoe inserts help support my joints?
- At what point should joint replacement or repair surgery be considered?
Frequently Asked Questions
osteoarthritis care in Odisha
Meet the rheumatologist
behind your care
Dr. Jyoti Ranjan Parida
Dr. Parida founded OARC and has been at the forefront of specialist rheumatology care in Odisha since 2014. He heads the OARC rheumatology team — with fellow rheumatologist Dr. Debashis Maikap — at the clinic’s Bhubaneswar centre. Consultations run Monday to Saturday, 9:00 AM–2:00 PM and 4:30–9:00 PM.