Osteoarthritis: Causes, Treatments, and What Medications Really Do

When your knees, hips, or hands start aching with movement, it’s often not just wear and tear—it’s osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease where cartilage breaks down, causing bone to rub against bone. Also known as degenerative joint disease, it’s the most common form of arthritis, especially after 50, and it doesn’t just cause pain—it limits your ability to walk, climb stairs, or even hold a coffee cup. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, which is autoimmune, osteoarthritis is mechanical: it happens because the cushion between your joints wears out over time from use, injury, or weight.

This condition doesn’t happen overnight. It’s linked to joint stress, repeated pressure on cartilage from obesity, heavy labor, or sports injuries. It also connects to age-related changes, slower tissue repair, weaker muscles, and declining hormone levels. And here’s the catch: some medications meant for other conditions can make it worse. For example, DPP-4 inhibitors, commonly used for diabetes, have been linked to severe joint pain in studies. That’s not a coincidence—these drugs affect inflammation pathways that also play a role in joint degeneration. Seniors on multiple meds need to watch for this. A drug that helps your blood sugar might be hurting your knees.

It’s not just about pills. Osteoarthritis thrives on inactivity, but moving too hard can make it worse. The right balance—low-impact exercise, weight control, and smart pain management—is what keeps people mobile. Some turn to acupuncture for relief, others try topical creams or supplements. But not all treatments are equal. Steroids like dexamethasone might calm inflammation, but they’re not for daily use. And while some over-the-counter options help, others just mask the problem. The real goal isn’t to eliminate pain with a quick fix—it’s to slow the damage and keep your body working as long as possible.

What you’ll find below aren’t just generic articles. These are real, practical guides from people who’ve lived with joint pain, cared for someone with it, or studied how meds interact with aging bodies. You’ll see how certain diabetes drugs trigger joint pain, why calcium matters for seniors with osteoarthritis, and what treatments actually hold up under scrutiny. No fluff. No marketing. Just clear, tested info to help you make smarter choices—for your joints, your meds, and your daily life.