Other Treatment include – Rest, Exercises – especially swimming, walking, cycling and light weight training, Applying local heat before and cold packs after exercises, Balanced Nutrition and Diet Control, Physical and occupational therapy, Mechanical support devices such as splints, canes, walkers, and braces.

Along with the above mentioned treatments what might work are -Paraffin wax dips, warm water soaks and night-time cotton gloves, Neck collar, lumber corset, or a firm mattress, Mild pain relievers, muscle relaxant and anti-inflammatory medications and surgeries for Hip or Knee replacement.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
They vary greatly from patient to patient. Some patients can be debilitated by their symptoms. On the other hand, others may have remarkably few symptoms in spite of dramatic degeneration of the joints apparent on X-rays. Symptoms also can also be intermittent.
Typical Symptoms –

• Pain in the affected joint(s) after repetitive use, which worsens later in the day
• Swelling, increase in warmth, and creaking of the affected joints
• Pain and stiffness of the joints after long periods of inactivity, for example, sitting for
• more than half an hour
• Pain at rest or pain with limited motion
• Osteoarthritis of the knees can lead to deformity and outward curvature of the knees
• referred to as “bowlegged.”
• Patients with OA of the weight-bearing joints (like the knees) can develop a limp.
• Osteoarthritis of the cervical spine or lumbar spine cause pain in the neck or low back. Bony spurs, called osteophytes, that form along the arthritic spine can irritate spinal nerves, causing severe pain, numbness, and tingling of the affected parts of the body.
• Formation of hard, bony enlargements of the small joints of the fingers

Diagnosis
Blood Test: There is no blood test for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Blood tests are performed to exclude diseases that can cause secondary osteoarthritis, as well as to exclude other arthritis conditions that can mimic osteoarthritis.
X-rays of the affected joints can suggest osteoarthritis: Findings include loss of joint cartilage, narrowing of the joint space between adjacent bones, and bone spurs formation.
Arthrocentesis: Joint fluid is removed for analysis, which is useful in excluding gout, infection, and other causes of arthritis. Besides, injection of corticosteroids into the joints during arthrocentesis can help relieve pain, swelling, and inflammation.
Arthroscopy: It is a surgical technique whereby a viewing tube is inserted into the joint space to detect abnormalities of and damage to the cartilage and ligaments.
Physical Examination: A careful analysis of the location, duration, and character of the joint symptoms and the appearance of the joints and spurs, helps the doctor in diagnosing osteoarthritis.