Blog article

Osteoarthritis: Symptoms, causes, and treatment options

By HBF
4 minutes
3 June 2025
Man assisting an elderly woman with osteoarthritis using her walking aid

Osteoarthritis might not be life-threatening – but it can be life-changing.


The most common form of arthritis in Australia, osteoarthritis effects nearly 10% of the population or 2.1 million people.1 Most often experienced in the knees, hips and hands, osteoarthritis causes joints to become painful and stiff, limiting movement.2

In this blog, we break down what osteoarthritis is, how it’s different from other joint and bone conditions, and what treatment options are available to help you keep moving.

What is osteoarthritis?

Did you know osteoarthritis affects the entire joint – not just the cartilage? It can involve:3

Once considered simple “wear and tear,” osteoarthritis is now thought to be the result of a joint working overtime to repair itself.3

Osteoarthritis symptoms

Symptoms of osteoarthritis often start gradually and worsen over time. You might notice:2,4

The symptoms can range from mildly annoying to severely disabling, depending on how much damage has occurred.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Several factors can increase your risk of osteoarthritis, including:2,3,4

Osteoarthritis treatment options

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for osteoarthritis. Fortunately, however, the right mix of treatments can help you manage pain, stay active, and improve your quality of life.2,3,4

Lifestyle and self-care

Medications and pain relief

Supportive therapies

Surgery

If other treatments aren’t helping and symptoms significantly affect your quality of life, your doctor may refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon. In some cases, joint replacement surgery (such as a total knee replacement) may be recommended. Surgery isn’t for everyone, and it’s important to understand the risks, benefits, and recovery process before deciding.

Osteoarthritis vs rheumatoid arthritis: What’s the difference?

Osteoarthritis involves the gradual breakdown of the entire joint – including cartilage, bone, and surrounding tissue – often due to the joint overworking to repair itself, while rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the joint lining, leading to pain, swelling, and long-term joint damage.5

While both cause joint pain and stiffness, rheumatoid arthritis is also usually more symmetrical (affecting the same joints on both sides of the body).5

Osteoporosis vs osteoarthritis: What’s the difference?

While osteoarthritis affects our overall joints, osteoporosis affects our bones themselves – making them fragile, less dense, and more likely to break with even minor falls or injuries.6

Both osteoporosis vs osteoarthritis more common with age, but they impact different parts of the body and require different approaches to treatment.

Osteoarthritis knee: Why knees are commonly affected

Our knees do a lot of heavy lifting. As one of the body’s primary weight-bearing joints, they’re especially vulnerable to osteoarthritis – particularly if you’re active, overweight, or have experienced knee injuries.2,3,4 Knee osteoarthritis can make everyday tasks like walking, climbing stairs or getting out of a chair painful and difficult.

While surgery might sound like a quick fix, it’s not always the best path forward. In fact, for people without persistent locking, a knee arthroscopy is often no more effective than non-surgical care9 and may significantly increase the risk of needing a knee replacement.10

Experiencing osteoarthritis? A knee arthroscopy may not be the answer

How can HBF help with osteoarthritis?

If you need joint replacement surgery, HBF is here to help. Log in to myHBF or call 133 423 to check your level of cover and find a specialist using our Find a Provider tool.

The GLA:D® Program: Delivered in partnership with HBF Physio and other approved program providers, the GLA:D® Program is designed to help eligible members reduce pain, improve strength and move more confidently. Evidence has shown participants experience an average pain reduction of 33% after completing the program.8*

Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life: Delivered in three phases, this 18-week program is designed to promote long-lasting behaviour change, supporting weight loss, increased mobility and better pain management for eligible members.**

HBF extras cover: Eligible extras cover can pay benefits towards professionals like physiotherapists, dietitians, and more, which may help you to manage your osteoarthritis.


Sources:

1 Australian Institute of Health and Welfare - Osteoarthritis

2 Healthdirect - Osteoarthritis

3 Arthritis Australia - Osteoarthritis

4 Better Health Channel - Osteoarthritis

5 Arthritis Australia - Rheumatoid arthritis

6 Healthdirect - Osteoporosis

7 Royal Australian College of General Practitioners - Guideline for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis

8 GLA:D® Australia - 2021 Annual Report

9 Choosing Wisely - Do not perform arthroscopy with lavage and/or debridement or partial meniscectomy for patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee and/or degenerate meniscal tear.

10 Osteoathritis and Cartilage - Increased risk for knee replacement surgery after arthroscopic surgery for degenerative meniscal tears: a multi-center longitudinal observational study using data from the osteoarthritis initiative


Disclaimers:

*The GLA:D® program is fully covered for eligible members who hold eligible hospital covers. Members may participate in the program once per lifetime. Waiting periods and other terms and conditions may apply. Members must currently be financial.

**To be eligible for the fully funded Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life program, you must have:

  • Been diagnosed with knee or hip osteoarthritis
  • A body mass index (BMI) of 28 or above
  • Held hospital cover that includes cover for joint replacements for at least 2 months
  • Not have previously enrolled in an Osteoarthritis Healthy Weight for Life program funded by HBF.

AND clinical need for either:

  • Conservative treatment - knee or hip symptoms that have (or are likely to in the foreseeable future) necessitate referral to an orthopaedic surgeon for evaluation, OR
  • Preparing for surgery - a knee or hip joint replacement procedure is planned and weight loss, improved fitness and muscle strength prior to surgery is desirable OR
  • Post-surgery - an existing symptomatic knee or hip joint replacement that could benefit from weight loss, improved fitness and muscle strength.

You must be willing to maintain medical supervision for existing medical conditions.

You must also hold an eligible level of HBF hospital cover and meet the program eligibility criteria. Members may only participate in each HBF health support program once per lifetime. Members must currently be financial.


This article contains general information only and does not take into account the health, personal situation or needs of any person. In conjunction with your GP or treating health care professional, please consider whether the information is suitable for you and your personal circumstances.

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