No. Suitable exercise does not wear out a joint with osteoarthritis. Joint cartilage has no blood supply, so it relies on movement to pump fluid in and out and stay healthy. Loading the joint in a graded way also builds the muscle that protects it. Some discomfort during and after exercise is normal, as long as it settles within about 24 hours.

Usually not. Osteoarthritis is diagnosed from your age, symptoms and physical examination, and Australian guidelines do not recommend routine imaging. Scan findings often match poorly with pain: many people with significant changes on X-ray have few symptoms, and others with painful joints show mild changes. Your GP may order imaging if your presentation is unusual or surgery is being considered.

Not necessarily. Many people manage hip and knee osteoarthritis for years without surgery, and joint replacement is generally considered when pain is severe and other options have been tried. If surgery is planned, building strength beforehand, sometimes called prehabilitation, can support your recovery afterwards. Your surgeon makes that decision with you and your GP.

No. Osteoarthritis is a mechanical and structural condition affecting one or a few joints, with stiffness that eases within about 30 minutes of waking. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that typically affects joints on both sides of the body, causes morning stiffness lasting more than an hour, and needs medical management with a rheumatologist.

It can. Each kilogram lost reduces the force travelling through your knees with every step, and body fat also produces chemicals that promote inflammation. Research shows combining weight management with exercise gives better pain relief than either alone. Our dietitians can work with your physiotherapist or exercise physiologist if this is part of your plan.

Evidence for supplements in osteoarthritis is mixed. Glucosamine and chondroitin have not consistently outperformed placebo in high-quality trials, while fish oil may offer modest benefit for some people. Supplements can interact with medications, including blood thinners, so check with your GP or pharmacist first. They are best considered an addition to exercise and load management, not a replacement.