Living with osteoarthritis can feel as though your body is conspiring against you. Joint pain is challenging as is, but many people find themselves facing additional health concerns that seem to emerge alongside their arthritis.
The problem is, it’s often unclear whether these new symptoms stem from your osteoarthritis or something else entirely. This uncertainty can leave you feeling anxious and doubtful about when to seek help or how seriously to take these changes.
This article will provide some insights into which health problems commonly occur with osteoarthritis without being directly caused by it. Seeing the patterns in your own health and ensuring nothing important gets overlooked are key to managing your condition effectively.
Understanding the Impact of Osteoarthritis
If you’re dealing with osteoarthritis (OA), you know it’s not just about stiff, achy joints. It can affect your whole life. And while OA itself wears down the cartilage in your knees, hips or hands, it often brings along some uninvited company—other health issues that tend to show up at the same time.
These extra problems aren’t directly caused by OA. But they often tag along because of shared risk factors like age, weight or just the way our bodies react to pain and limited movement. Luckily, understanding these connections can help you stay ahead of them.
Let’s go through some of the most common health issues that may occur alongside OA and what you can do about them.
Common Health Problems That Occur Alongside Osteoarthritis
1. Cardiovascular Disease (Heart and Circulation Problems)
Osteoarthritis doesn’t cause heart disease, but they often show up together. Why? Pain and stiffness can make it harder to stay active, and inactivity takes a toll on your heart. Thus, medical conditions like high blood pressure and cholesterol might creep in over time.
What helps? Even short walks (as much as your joints allow) and monitoring blood pressure can make a big difference.
2. Depression and Anxiety
Chronic pain is exhausting, physically and emotionally. It’s normal to feel frustrated, isolated, or even a bit low when OA limits what you can do. But letting those feelings take over can make everything feel harder. Research from the National Library of Medicine indicates that among knee osteoarthritis (OA) patients aged 45–75 years, prevalence of depression and anxiety is 30% and 27% respectively.
What helps? Staying connected with friends, trying gentle activities like tai chi, or talking to a therapist can lift your mood and make pain feel more manageable.
3. Obesity and Weight-Related Health Issues
Excess weight places additional strain on your joints, potentially worsening osteoarthritis symptoms. But it’s not just about the added pressure—being overweight also fuels inflammation in the body, which can make OA feel worse and increase the risk of other problems like diabetes and heart disease.
What helps? Light movement (like swimming or cycling) and eating in a way that keeps inflammation low (more veggies, lean proteins, and fewer processed foods). Small changes add up.
4. Osteoporosis (Bone Thinning)
OA affects cartilage, while osteoporosis weakens bones—but both are more common as we age. If OA slows you down, your bones might not get the weight-bearing exercise they need to stay strong
What helps? Safe strength exercises (even light resistance bands help) and getting enough calcium and vitamin D. Looking for dietary tips after a knee replacement? Our guide can help.
5. Peripheral Neuropathy (Nerve Problems)
Some people with osteoarthritis report numbness, tingling or burning sensations in limbs. These symptoms frequently arise from nerve disorders not associated with osteoarthritis, such as diabetes or nerve compression syndromes.
What helps? Proper diagnosis is essential because treatments for nerve conditions differ significantly from those for OA.
6. Sleep Disorders
Pain tends to ruin a good night’s sleep. And when you don’t sleep well, pain feels worse. It really is a vicious cycle. Poor sleep also drains your energy and can even increase inflammation. A striking 70% of OA patients struggle with sleep disturbances.
What helps? A bedtime routine (warm baths, gentle stretches), a comfy sleep setup, and discussing pain relief options with your doctor.
7. Gastrointestinal Issues
If you’ve been using painkillers like non-steroidal antiinflammatory medications for OA, they might irritate your stomach over time. Reduced movement can also slow down your digestion.
What helps? Talking to your doctor about gentler pain relief options, taking medications with food, eating smaller and more frequent meals, and strolling after eating can all help ease digestive discomfort.
8. Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) and Fibromyalgia
Some people with osteoarthritis also experience fibromyalgia or chronic fatigue syndrome, which are conditions that bring deep exhaustion or body-wide pain. While separate from OA, they can overlap and intensify symptoms, leading to a higher burden of pain and fatigue, affecting quality of life.
What helps? Learning to pace your activities, trying gentle movement therapies, using heat for muscle pain, and working with a specialist to find the right treatment combination can all help manage these complex conditions.
Get Extra Support
If you experience any of these conditions alongside OA, don’t hesitate to consult a specialist. Early intervention can prevent complications and improve daily functioning.
Managing Osteoarthritis and Associated Health Concerns
Even though osteoarthritis mainly involves joint health, addressing your overall wellness holistically remains important. Here are some steps to keep in mind:
- Stay as active as possible within pain limits to encourage better heart health and promote weight management.
- Maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients to support bone and joint health.
- Seek support for mental health if needed, talking therapies and support groups can make a difference.
- Regularly review medications and health status with your healthcare team.
- Be proactive about monitoring symptoms unrelated to OA but impacting your wellbeing.
The Takeaway
Osteoarthritis affects your joints and your body, but you’re more than your symptoms. Staying informed and supported can allow you to continue daily activities with some careful changes.
Our team at Hip & Knee Orthopaedics specialises in osteoarthritis care, delivering patient-centred evaluations and personalised treatment strategies designed to improve your overall well-being.
Book your appointment today to take control of your joint health and get tailored support in view of related health problems. Your wellbeing matters, so let us help you live better, every step of the way.
