Osteoarthritis affects 15% of French people, and its frequency increases with population aging. Joint pain heavily impacts daily life: hip, hands, knees, ankles, shoulders, spine. How can we break the vicious cycle of pain?
Inside an Osteoarthritic Joint
When osteoarthritis sets in, it's not "just" a story of cartilage that wears out over time. We now know it's a complex disease of the entire joint where, in addition to cartilage, the bone, the synovial tissue, and even adipose tissue are involved.
The Process Behind Pain and Stiffness:
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The Trigger: Aging, a shock, or excess weight releases cartilage debris that activates inflammation.
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The Inflammation: The synovial membrane becomes inflamed and pours irritating substances into the joint.
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The Degradation: The cells (chondrocytes) produce enzymes that destroy cartilage instead of repairing it.
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The Bone Reaction: The bone located under the cartilage transforms and weakens.
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The Metabolic Factor: Adipose tissue (fat) produces "low grade" inflammation. That is why overweight aggravates osteoarthritis, even in the hands.
It is essential not to underestimate the psychological impact of this pathology. 90% of people suffering from rheumatism believe that pain has an impact on their sleep quality and their mood (Source: June 2025 survey, Inserm/Arthritis/French Society of Rheumatology). Moreover, gonarthrosis—or knee osteoarthritis—is one of the most common and disabling forms of osteoarthritis.
Acting Concretely Against Osteoarthritis
While no miracle treatment exists, it is often the combination of several approaches that allows for better relief from osteoarthritis. Weight loss and regular, suitable physical activity are essential. Other solutions can also be proposed: pain relievers or anti-inflammatories, physical therapy sessions, corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections, for example.
Orthoses can also play an important role. For the hand, wearing resting orthoses at night allows for joint immobilization and limits pain. During the day, functional orthoses can facilitate the performance of daily activities.