Osteoarthritis Studies

WHAT IS OSTEOARTHRITIS?  

Osteoarthritis (OA), also referred to as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of arthritis. OA happens when the cartilage in the joints wears away and causes bones to rub against one another. OA can lead to stiffness and pain. OA can affect any joint in your body. One in two adults will develop a form of OA in their lifetime.

In a healthy joint, a coating of tough but smooth and slippery tissue, called cartilage, covers the surface of the bones and helps the bones to move freely against each other. When a joint develops osteoarthritis, part of the cartilage thins and the surface becomes rougher. This means the joint doesn’t move as smoothly as it should.

When cartilage becomes worn or damaged, all the tissues within the joint become more active than normal as the body tries to repair the damage. The repair processes may change the structure of the joint, but will often allow the joint to work normally and without any pain and stiffness. Almost all of us will develop osteoarthritis in some of our joints as we get older, though we may not even be aware of it.

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and sometimes stiffness in the affected joints. The pain tends to be worse when you move the joint or at the end of the day. Your joints may feel stiff after rest, but this usually wears off fairly quickly once you get moving. Symptoms may vary for no obvious reason. Or you may find that your symptoms vary depending on what you’re doing.

The affected joint may sometimes be swollen. The swelling may be:

• hard and knobbly, especially in the finger joints, caused by the growth of extra bone
• soft, caused by thickening of the joint lining and extra fluid inside the joint capsule.

Osteoarthritis Studies Eligibility

• 18 years of age or older
• Have OA of the knee or hip
• Have tried over the counter and/or prescription medication with inadequate relief

If you are eligible for the study, you may receive:

• Study medication
• Study-related treatment from a local physician, no insurance needed
• Monetary reimbursement for time and travel

To learn more about Osteoarthritis Studies at GLRG contact us today at (989) 895-9100.

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