Osteoarthritis is a common disease characterized pathologically by focal articular cartilage damage located in the center of the weight-bearing area and the formation of new bone at the edges of the joint, i.e., osteochondral changes, varying degrees of mild synovitis, and thickening of the joint capsule. As the disease progresses, radiographs show progressive narrowing of the joint space due to loss of articular cartilage and the formation of a bone flab, and sometimes subchondral bone changes can be seen. Prevalence Osteoarthritis is one of the major causes of labor loss in people over 50 years of age. Many years ago, the results of a study led by the Beijing Hospital of the Ministry of Health on the status of osteoarthritis in middle-aged and elderly people in China showed that the prevalence of primary osteoarthritis in people over 40 years of age in six regions (Northeast, North, East, South, Southwest, and Northwest) was 46.3%; the prevalence in men was 41.6%; the prevalence in women was The prevalence of primary osteoarthritis in people aged 40 years or older was 46.3%; the prevalence in men was 41.6%; the prevalence in women was 50.4%; the prevalence in urban men was lower than that in rural men, and the prevalence in urban women was higher than that in rural women; the prevalence in people aged 60 years was more than one times higher than that in people aged 40 years. Symptoms and diagnosis The main symptoms include joint pain during activity, short-term joint stiffness, motor pain with restricted movement, and joint popping or friction sounds. Among them, pain is the main symptom and the largest cause of high localized pain in the elderly. x-ray is the main method of epidemiological determination of osteoarthritis, however, the radiological basis of osteoarthritis is not closely related to disease symptoms. MRI scans and arthroscopy can more clearly show early osteoarthritic changes that are not apparent on radiographs. Major etiologies In addition to age-related factors, the major ones include family history, genetic and developmental disorders affecting bone and joint growth and shaping, joint injury, selective activity (e.g., plowing and hip arthritis), and obesity. Among them, obesity is a very important risk factor for knee disease. Obesity causes excessive joint loading and joint damage, resulting in reduced muscle strength, joint instability and deformity. The magnitude of each risk factor depends on the joint site. The incidence rate differs between women and men at different joint sites. The question of whether there is a correlation between osteoarthritis and osteoporosis is still inconclusive. Treatment issues The American College of Rheumatology’s recommendations for the treatment of osteoarthritis focus on three areas, namely non-pharmacologic, pharmacologic, and surgical treatment. 2003 European League of Rheumatology Societies (EULAR) Guidelines for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee, revised, state that the ideal treatment plan should include a combination of non-pharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments. Non-pharmacologic treatment includes physical therapy, increased patient education, weight loss, exercise modification, following proper exercise regimens, muscle strengthening exercises, and the use of walkers and crutches. There are many methods of physical therapy, including high-frequency, ultra-high-frequency, MRI, magnetic therapy, medium-frequency therapy and direct current ionization therapy, shock wave therapy, and closed therapy. Rehabilitation physicians choose certain physical therapy prescriptions and treatment courses according to the patient’s main symptoms or different parts of the osteoarthritis and different stages of development. Exercises that are beneficial to bone health are mainly whole-body aerobic exercises, including walking, jogging, swimming, squash, etc., as well as strength exercises for the muscles of the lower back and extremities. With regard to medication, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Guidelines for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis recommends the application of NSAIDs in the early stages of osteoarthritis. commonly used NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Fenbid), nabumetone (Relifen), loxoprofen sodium (Loxone), and diclofenac (Fotaralin). These drugs are stable, safe and reliable, and provide relief for the majority of arthritis patients. Drug treatment requires attention to follow the principles of NSAIDs use and try to avoid the occurrence of adverse reactions. Surgical treatment mainly includes arthroscopic surgery, joint replacement surgery and related orthopedic orthopedic surgery. When conservative treatment is not effective, patients should consult their orthopedic surgeon about surgery as early as possible.