Osteoarthritis

What is Osteoarthritis? 

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 20 million people in the United States. Also known as degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis occurs when the “cushion” (cartilage) between the bones in your joints wears down over time. As it progresses, the cartilage may wear away leaving bone rubbing on bone. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint in your body, but is most common in joints that carry more weight, such as the hips, knees and spine. It’s also commonly found in hands and feet.

What Causes Osteoarthritis? Who is most susceptible to it?

While it isn’t clear exactly what causes osteoarthritis in most cases, it’s generally associated with aging and is more common in people over 50. Primary osteoarthritis is linked to natural causes such as older age or heredity as it tends to run in the family. Secondary osteoarthritis may stem from obesity, joint injury or stress, or another medical condition such as a blood disorder or different type of arthritis.
                                                     
What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Symptoms of osteoarthritis can vary greatly from person to person and can be inconsistent. The most common symptom is pain in the affected joints during or after movement. Over time, pain may be present even when at rest. Affected joints may feel stiff or tender and may swell, feel warm or creak. Movement around these joints may be limited and the muscles may be weak. Bony enlargements may form around the affected joints.

Treatment of Osteoarthritis

While there’s no known cure for osteoarthritis, treatments can help reduce pain and maintain or improve joint function. Arthritis treatment generally consists of occupational or physical therapy, exercise, drugs to help manage the pain and stiffness, and sometimes surgery to correct joint damage.

Your doctor may recommend any of the following to help reduce the affects of osteoarthritis:

• Prevention – Weight reduction through a healthy diet and low impact exercise. Low impact exercise such as swimming, walking, cycling, and light weight training can help strengthen the muscles around the joints and improve joint mobility.
• Physiotherapy – Support devices such as canes, walkers or splints provided may help lessen the stress on joints. Dips of paraffin wax and soaking the joint in warm water may also help.
• Medication – Anti-inflammatory lotions and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve pain and immobility.
• Surgery – Surgical treatment is reserved for patients with more severe osteoarthritis. Severely affected joints may be treated with arthroplasty, in which affected joint is replaced by an artificial one. 

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