Health education · MusculoskeletalSaint‑Hyacinthe
Osteoarthritis: symptoms, assessment and treatment options in Saint-Hyacinthe
Pain in the knee, hip, hands or another joint? Stiffness, cracking or a gradual loss of mobility? Osteoarthritis is common, but its symptoms and their impact can vary considerably from one person to another.
At Clinique IPS du Palais in Saint-Hyacinthe, our team can support you with the assessment of joint pain and the management of osteoarthritis and, when appropriate, discuss different options such as exercise, medication or injections.
Understanding
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also called arthrosis, is a chronic joint disease. It is not simply mechanical “wear and tear”: it is a disease of the whole joint.1
In osteoarthritis, several structures of the joint can change gradually. This can lead to pain, stiffness and reduced joint function.
The joint is a complex structure made up of several parts, including:
- cartilage;
- bone;
- the joint lining;
- ligaments;
- muscles;
- tendons.
Affected joints
Which joints are often affected?
Osteoarthritis can affect different joints. It is particularly common in:1
The hips
The hands and fingers
The thumb
The cervical spine
The lumbar spine
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Symptoms vary depending on the joint and the severity of the condition. They may include:1
- joint pain;
- stiffness;
- reduced mobility;
- difficulty performing certain movements;
- cracking or crepitus;
- tenderness around the joint;
- mild swelling in some people;
- reduced strength;
- difficulty walking or doing certain activities.
Pain is often influenced by activity.
Is pain always proportional to the X-ray?
No.
Some people may have significant changes on imaging with relatively few symptoms. Conversely, others may feel significant pain despite less pronounced changes.1
The assessment is therefore based on:
- symptoms;
- the physical examination;
- function;
- the impact on daily life;
- and, when necessary, imaging.
Risk factors
Why does osteoarthritis develop?
There is no single cause. Several factors can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.1
Age
The risk increases with age, but osteoarthritis is not an inevitable consequence of aging.
Old injury
A fracture, a ligament injury or joint trauma can increase the risk of osteoarthritis later.
Joint structure
Certain anatomical features can change the way forces are distributed in a joint.
Work or repetitive activities
Certain activities can place significant repeated stress on certain joints.
Weight
Higher body weight increases the stress on weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. Arthritis Society Canada considers excess weight a risk factor.
Genetic factors
Some forms of osteoarthritis also appear to have a family component.
Osteoarthritis or arthritis: what is the difference?
The word arthritis covers many diseases that affect the joints. Osteoarthritis is one of these diseases.
It differs notably from inflammatory forms such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis or gout.
Treatments can be very different. It is therefore important to determine the cause of joint pain.
Osteoarthritis or tendinitis?
Pain around a joint is not always related to osteoarthritis. It can sometimes come from a tendon, a muscle, a bursa, a ligament or a nerve.
A musculoskeletal assessment helps identify the structure most likely responsible for the symptoms.
Assessment
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
The assessment generally begins with the history of the symptoms. A musculoskeletal examination can then assess mobility, strength, stability, the location of the pain and how the joint functions.
The health professional may ask:
- where the pain is located;
- how long it has been present;
- which movements make it worse;
- whether the pain is present at rest;
- whether there is stiffness;
- whether the joint swells;
- whether there was an old injury;
- which activities have become more difficult.
Is an X-ray always needed?
No.
In some cases, the clinical picture may be characteristic enough.1 However, an X-ray may be relevant when it can help:
- support the diagnosis;
- assess the structure of the joint;
- look for another cause;
- prepare for certain procedures;
- document progression.
The health professional determines whether imaging is necessary.
Is an MRI necessary?
Not routinely.
An MRI is not necessary for everyone with osteoarthritis. It may be used in certain situations, when another problem is suspected or when the information could change management.
What you can expect
Can osteoarthritis be cured?
At present, there is no treatment that can completely eliminate the osteoarthritis process.
However, Arthritis Society Canada emphasizes that symptoms and function can often be improved through self-management, exercise, physical activity, weight management and certain treatments.1
- PainReduce pain.
- Mobility and strengthImprove mobility and strength.
- FunctionMaintain activities and slow the loss of function.
Is physical activity good for osteoarthritis?
Yes.
Physical activity is one of the pillars of management.1 It can help strengthen muscles, improve mobility and balance, maintain function and reduce some symptoms.
Should I avoid moving when the joint hurts?
Not necessarily.
Completely avoiding activity for long periods can lead to loss of strength, reduced mobility and lower physical fitness. The goal is rather to adapt activity to tolerance.
However, severe or unusual pain warrants an assessment before continuing certain activities.
What role does physiotherapy play?
Physiotherapy can be particularly useful. It can help strengthen muscles, maintain or improve range of motion, change certain movement habits, improve function and develop a suitable exercise program.
In Quebec, public musculoskeletal clinics offer services such as comprehensive musculoskeletal assessments by a physiotherapist, education on pain self-management and personalized exercise programs.3
What role does weight play?
For weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, weight reduction can lessen mechanical stress when weight is a contributing factor.
The goal is not only a number on the scale. An approach can also aim to improve body composition, maintain muscle mass, improve physical capacity and metabolic health.
Medications
Which medications can be used?
Depending on the situation, different options may be discussed to relieve pain. These treatments are not necessarily suitable for everyone.1
Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example, may require more caution in some people with cardiovascular, kidney or digestive problems, or who take certain medications. A discussion with a health professional or pharmacist helps choose a suitable treatment.
Options may include:
- topical treatments;
- certain pain relievers;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in certain situations.
Injections
Cortisone or viscosupplementation?
What is a cortisone injection?
A corticosteroid injection involves administering a medication directly into or around a joint, depending on the indication.1 In some situations, it can temporarily reduce pain, inflammation and functional limitation.
How long the effect lasts varies from one person to another.
However, an injection does not make osteoarthritis go away.
What is viscosupplementation?
Viscosupplementation involves injecting a hyaluronic acid-based product into a joint. It is mainly discussed in the context of knee osteoarthritis.
The benefits are uncertain and variable: some people report relief, but studies do not consistently show a clinically significant benefit. Viscosupplementation does not rebuild cartilage and no result can be guaranteed.
At Clinique IPS du Palais, it may be discussed as part of the musculoskeletal assessment when appropriate, taking into account treatments already tried, the possible benefits and their limitations, risks, alternatives and cost.
The choice depends on factors such as the joint, the level of pain, the degree of osteoarthritis, treatments already tried, medical history and the clinical picture.
Is an injection always indicated?
No.
An injection is only one option among several. Osteoarthritis management generally relies on several elements:
- education;
- physical activity and exercises;
- weight management when relevant;
- medication;
- targeted interventions;
- surgery, if needed.
INESSS also points out that physiotherapy, muscle strengthening and weight loss can be part of a multimodal approach to knee osteoarthritis.2
What about PRP?
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is sometimes offered for knee osteoarthritis.
INESSS assessed this intervention in 2023 and concluded that public coverage for knee osteoarthritis was not a fair and reasonable option, while recommending that the care pathway be optimized, including conservative treatments.2
This does not mean that all uses are prohibited, but that the evidence and indications should be considered with caution.
Surgery
When is surgery considered?
For some people with severe osteoarthritis, pain and loss of function can become significant despite appropriate non-surgical management. Surgery may then be considered.
It is generally reserved for severe symptoms that do not respond sufficiently to conservative treatments.1
The most common procedures include:
- knee replacement;
- hip replacement.
By joint
Knee, hip, hands and spine
Knee osteoarthritis
It can cause symptoms such as pain when walking or using stairs, stiffness, difficulty getting up, reduced mobility and occasional swelling.
Management may combine exercises, strengthening, weight management, medications, certain injections and a specialist referral when needed.
Hip osteoarthritis
It can sometimes cause pain in the groin, in the buttock, on the side of the hip and sometimes down to the knee.
People may notice difficulty walking, putting on their shoes, getting into a car or climbing stairs.
Hand osteoarthritis
It can affect the fingers, the distal joints and the base of the thumb, and cause pain, stiffness, progressive deformity or difficulty opening a jar or grasping certain objects.
Spinal osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritic changes can affect the cervical or lumbar spine.
Osteoarthritis visible on an X-ray does not necessarily mean it is the cause of all neck or back pain. A clinical assessment therefore remains important.
Seeking care
When to seek care?
A consultation may be appropriate if you have any of the following.
- persistent joint pain;
- stiffness;
- reduced mobility;
- difficulty walking;
- pain that limits your activities;
- knee or hip pain;
- worsening of known osteoarthritis;
- questions about an injection.
When should you seek care quickly?
Joint pain requires a quicker assessment when it is accompanied by signs such as:
- sudden significant swelling;
- a very red or warm joint;
- fever;
- a sudden inability to bear weight on a limb;
- a deformity after an injury;
- very severe and unusual pain.
These symptoms may indicate something other than simple osteoarthritis.
How can Clinique IPS du Palais support you?
Depending on your situation, our team can, among other things:
- assess your joint pain;
- perform a musculoskeletal examination;
- determine whether the picture is consistent with osteoarthritis;
- order imaging when needed;
- review treatment options;
- discuss physical activity strategies;
- assess whether an injection is appropriate;
- discuss cortisone or viscosupplementation when appropriate;
- provide follow-up;
- refer to physiotherapy, orthopedics or another resource when needed.
Discover our musculoskeletal approach
Virginie Jacques, PHCNP, has a particular interest in musculoskeletal health, chronic pain and injections.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
Is osteoarthritis simply wear and tear?
That is an oversimplified way to describe it. Osteoarthritis affects several structures of the joint and is influenced by various biological and mechanical factors.
Can you have osteoarthritis when you are young?
Yes. An old injury, certain joint characteristics or other factors can contribute to earlier osteoarthritis.
Does exercise damage the joint further?
Appropriate activity is generally beneficial and is part of osteoarthritis management.
Is an X-ray always necessary?
No. It depends on the clinical context.
Does a cortisone injection cure osteoarthritis?
No. It can temporarily reduce some symptoms but does not make the osteoarthritis process go away.
What is viscosupplementation?
It is an intra-articular injection based on hyaluronic acid, mainly discussed for knee osteoarthritis. The benefits are uncertain and variable, and no result can be guaranteed.
Can you have osteoarthritis without pain?
Yes. Changes may be visible on imaging without causing significant symptoms.
Can losing weight help?
When weight contributes to the stress on weight-bearing joints, weight reduction may improve some symptoms and function.
Does osteoarthritis necessarily lead to surgery?
No. Many people are managed without surgery. Surgery is generally considered when symptoms become severe and persist despite other treatments.
Sources
- Arthrite-Canada (Société de l’arthrite du Canada). L’arthrose (condensed guide). 2024, accessed October 6, 2026. arthrite.ca (PDF)
- Institut national d’excellence en santé et en services sociaux (INESSS). Utilisation du plasma autologue riche en plaquettes pour le traitement de l’arthrose du genou (opinion). March 31, 2023, accessed October 6, 2026. inesss.qc.ca
- Gouvernement du Québec. Clinique musculosquelettique. Updated August 26, 2026, accessed October 6, 2026. quebec.ca
This page provides general information and does not replace an individualized assessment by a health professional.