US Medical Term · conditions
Osteoarthritis
Osteoartritis
In 9 languages
| Language | Term |
|---|---|
| English | Osteoarthritis |
| Spanish (Español) | Osteoartritis |
| Chinese (中文) | 骨關節炎 |
| Korean (한국어) | 골관절염 |
| Vietnamese (Tiếng Việt) | Viêm xương khớp |
| Filipino (Tagalog) | Osteoartritis |
| Portuguese (Português) | Osteoartrite |
| Thai (ภาษาไทย) | โรคข้อเสื่อม |
| Japanese (日本語) | 変形性関節症 |
What it means
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, caused by the gradual breakdown of cartilage—the cushioning tissue inside joints. As cartilage wears away, bones rub together, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling, especially in the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with rest. Daily life may be affected by difficulty walking, climbing stairs, or gripping objects. Treatment focuses on pain management through medications, physical therapy, weight control, and in severe cases, joint replacement surgery.
How to say it
Sentences a patient might use with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or insurer:
I have osteoarthritis in my knees and it makes walking very painful.
Tengo osteoartritis en las rodillas y me causa mucho dolor al caminar.
My doctor says the cartilage in my hip has worn down significantly.
Mi médico dice que el cartílago de mi cadera se ha desgastado considerablemente.
I need a referral to an orthopedist for my osteoarthritis.
Necesito una referencia a un ortopedista por mi osteoartritis.
Where you'll see it
Related ICD-10-CM category
M19 Other and unspecified osteoarthritisRelated terms
Sources
Last reviewed: September 2026