Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) care begins by linking the joint pattern to the person’s function. The usual presentation is gradual, atraumatic, movement-related pain with brief stiffness after rest. The usual first response is education, self-management, therapeutic exercise, and physical activity rather than treatment of an image alone. Medication may support activity when these measures do not adequately control symptoms, but it does not reverse OA. Safety screening comes first. A hot, rapidly swollen joint with fever or systemic illness; major trauma or new deformity; new or progressive neurological or circulation changes; persistent severe rest or night pain; or unexplained weight loss is not routine OA. The RN identifies the break in the expected pattern, completes focused assessment and vital signs, and arranges the level of medical assessment described in the red-flag section rather than independently diagnosing the cause.