Osteoarthritis in the Upper Extremity

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of morbidity in an increasingly aging population. Although the weight-bearing joints of the leg and foot are frequently affected by osteoarthritis, degenerative changes in the joints of the upper extremity are likewise common and can be both particularly debilitating for affected individuals and uniquely challenging for the health care providers managing it. The present review seeks to overview the epidemiology, anatomy, diagnosis, and management of osteoarthritis in the joints of the shoulder, elbow, and hand with the intent of providing accessible and relevant information to the range of medical professionals involved in patient care.(c) 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. center dot The American Journal of Medicine (2023) 136:415-421

Automated summary

Osteoarthritis is a common cause of morbidity, especially in the aging population. While weight-bearing joints of the leg and foot are often affected, degenerative changes in the upper extremity joints are also common and present unique challenges for healthcare providers. This review aims to provide an overview of the epidemiology, anatomy, diagnosis, and management of osteoarthritis in the shoulder, elbow, and hand joints, with the goal of providing accessible information to various medical professionals involved in patient care.