Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic joint disease characterized by degeneration and destruction of articular cartilage and osteophytes. The disease is more prevalent after middle age. Preliminary domestic surveys show that the overall prevalence of osteoarthritis is about 15%, with a prevalence of 10%-17% in people aged 40 years and 50% in people aged 60 years or older. Among people over the age of 75, 80% suffer from osteoarthritis. The ultimate disability rate of the disease is 53%. Clinically, swollen and painful joints, osteophytes and limited mobility are the most common. There are no geographical or racial differences in the development of osteoarthritis. Age, obesity, inflammation, trauma, and genetic factors may be associated with the development of the disease. Clinical manifestations Symptoms and signs Osteoarthritis is mainly characterized by pain, swelling, morning stiffness, joint effusion and bony hypertrophy of the affected joints, which may be accompanied by bone rubbing sounds during activity, functional impairment or deformity. (1) Joint pain and pressure pain: The most common manifestation of this disease is localized pain and pressure pain in the joints. The weight-bearing joints and hands are most likely to be involved. It is usually mild or moderate intermittent pain in the early stage, which improves with rest and worsens with activity. There may be localized pressure pain in the joints, which is especially obvious when accompanied by joint swelling. (2) Joint swelling: In the early stage, there is limited swelling around the joint, but as the disease progresses, there may be diffuse joint swelling, bursal thickening or joint effusion. In the later stage, bony bulge may be palpable around the joint. (3) Morning stiffness: Patients may experience joint stiffness and adhesion in the morning, which may be relieved after activity. The duration of morning stiffness in this disease is relatively short, usually a few minutes to ten minutes, and rarely exceeds half an hour. (4) Joint friction sound: mainly seen in osteoarthritis of the knee joint. Due to the destruction of cartilage and roughness of the joint surface, bone rubbing sound (sensation) and twisting sensation when moving the joint, or accompanied by local pain in the joint.