Osteoarthritis: What Happens in Your Joint and How We Can Help You

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common causes of joint pain, especially in the knee, hip, spine, and hands. Even so, there is still a lot of confusion: it is often associated solely with age, understood as "irreversible wear and tear," and, in many cases, presented as a process where little can be done. The reality is more complex.

What Is Osteoarthritis Really?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process of the joint. It is not just "wear and tear," as is often said. It is something more complex:

· The cartilage loses quality and thickness.

· The space between the bones decreases.

· Small bone deformities (osteophytes) appear.

· The joint stops functioning as it should.

And importantly: it does not only affect older adults. We are seeing more and more cases in active people, athletes, or individuals subject to repetitive overload.

What Happens in a Joint with Osteoarthritis?

A healthy joint allows bones to glide over each other without friction, thanks to cartilage and joint space.

When osteoarthritis appears, several changes occur:

· The cartilage loses thickness and quality.

· The joint surface becomes irregular.

· The space between the bones decreases.

· The bone responds by generating osteophytes (small bony growths).

This process does not happen overnight, but progressively. And it does not only affect the structure: it also changes the way the joint moves and bears load.

Common Symptoms of Osteoarthritis

The most frequent symptoms we observe in consultations are:

· Mechanical pain (increases with activity).

· Stiffness, especially when initiating movement.

· A feeling of reduced mobility.

· Limitations in daily activities (climbing stairs, walking, bending down).

In more advanced stages, pain can even occur at rest.

Why Does Osteoarthritis Appear?

There is no single cause. In most cases, it is the result of a combination of several factors:

· Repetitive overload over time.

· Previous injuries that did not heal properly.

· Lack of muscle strength or stability.

· Biomechanical alterations.

· Age.

That is why two people with the same diagnosis can have completely different symptoms and outcomes.

Osteoarthritis and Pain: What Is the Real Relationship?

An important point: the degree of osteoarthritis shown in an imaging test does not always correspond to the level of pain. There are people with advanced structural changes and few symptoms, and others with mild changes who experience significant pain. This happens because pain also depends on:

· The joint’s capacity to tolerate load.

· Muscle condition.

· Movement control.

Therefore, treatment cannot be based on imaging alone.

Osteoarthritis Treatment: What Works

The approach must be active and personalized. In physiotherapy, the main pillars are:

· Therapeutic exercise. It is the foundation of treatment and helps improve the joint's load-bearing capacity, increase muscle strength, and reduce pain in the medium and long term.

· Manual therapy. Used to improve mobility, reduce stiffness, and facilitate movement.

· Advanced technology. At Sohail Clinic, we work with different technologies that complement treatment: MBST (Therapeutic Magnetic Resonance), which acts at the cellular level to promote tissue regeneration processes in osteoarthritis and other degenerative pathologies; Magnetolith, a technology based on high-intensity electromagnetic fields indicated for chronic pain and bone processes; and High-Power Laser, which reduces inflammation and enhances tissue recovery. These tools do not replace exercise, but they help improve progress.

· Movement readaptation. Once pain decreases, it is essential to regain proper movement patterns, progressively return to activity, and prevent relapses.

Difference Between Osteoarthritis and Arthritis

Although they are often confused, they are distinct processes:

· Osteoarthritis → degenerative, related to cartilage wear.

· Arthritis → inflammatory, originating from an immunological or systemic cause.

An accurate diagnosis is key to choosing the appropriate treatment.

When to Seek Physiotherapy

It is advisable to have your case evaluated when:

· Pain appears recurrenly.

· There is a loss of mobility.

· Daily activities begin to feel limited.

An early approach allows for better results and prevents the condition from progressing.

Osteoarthritis Treatment in Fuengirola

At Sohail Clinic, we address osteoarthritis treatment from an individualized approach, combining physiotherapy, exercise, and advanced technology.

The goal is not just to reduce pain, but to improve joint function and the patient's quality of life. Get to know us!