Which joints are commonly affected by osteoarthritis?

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Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process that tends to impact joints that bear weight and undergo repetitive mechanical stress. The knees and hips are classic sites because they continuously support body weight and endure loading with walking, standing, and other activities. Over time, this stress accelerates cartilage wear, leading to cartilage loss, changes in the underlying bone, osteophyte formation, and narrowing of the joint space. Clinically, this translates to pain with use, stiffness after inactivity that improves with movement, and reduced range of motion in those weight-bearing joints.

Elbows and facial joints are not the typical initial targets of primary osteoarthritis, and while the spine can be involved (especially the facet joints), it’s not as common as knee and hip involvement. Recognizing that weight-bearing joints are the most affected helps distinguish OA patterns from other arthropathies.