Osteoarthritis: Overview
About Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common
form of arthritis, a general term meaning inflammation of the joints.
Osteoarthritis, also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, is a degenerative joint
disease that destroys cartilage. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers
the ends of the bones in a joint. It acts as a shock absorber and reduces
friction between the ends of the bones during movement. The joints most
commonly affected by osteoarthritis are the hips, knees, hands, and spine. It
is possible to develop osteoarthritis in other joints such as elbows, ankles,
wrists, shoulder, and even in the jaw. However, this is less common unless the
joint has been subjected to some type of injury or trauma or has had to bear an
uncommon amount of stress.
There is no cure for
osteoarthritis. Fortunately, there are many treatments aimed at relieving the
pain associated with the condition. Since the symptoms of osteoarthritis tend
to worsen over time, a number of treatments available can provide arthritis pain relief and help
you maintain an active lifestyle.
Possible Causes
Osteoarthritis occurs when the
cartilage that cushions the ends of your joints deteriorates over time. The
previously-smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough, which can cause
irritation. If the cartilage wears away completely, you will be left with bone
rubbing on bone which can be extremely painful. Sports and work activities that
involve repetitive motions can put more strain on the joint than it can bear.
Repetitive use of the joint irritates and inflames the cartilage, leading to
joint pain and swelling. Inflammation can also lead to the development of bone
spurs around the affected joint. The most common cause of osteoarthritis is
aging. It is a degenerative disease, meaning that the wear and tear of the
cartilage occurs gradually over time. Other factors that can lead to
osteoarthritis include being overweight, joint injury or stress, genetic
factors, and muscle weakness.
Signs and Symptoms
The most common symptom of
osteoarthritis is pain in a joint during or following activity or after a long
period of inactivity. You may also have tenderness when you apply pressure to
the joint, swelling, stiffness and loss of flexibility in the joint. Bone
spurs, which appear as hard lumps, may also form around the joint. You may feel
a grating or locking sensation when you move your joint. The grating sensation
is due to a loss of smooth joint surface caused by cartilage
wear and tear. The locking sensation is caused by loose pieces of cartilage
or bone that lodge in the joint and restrict motion. In advanced or severe
cases of osteoarthritis, you may experience a complete loss of cartilage which
can cause friction between bones. If this happens, you will experience pain
with limited motion or even while at rest.
Diagnosing
Osteoarthritis
A diagnosis of osteoarthritis
is usually made based on your medical history and a thorough physical
examination. Your doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms, any
injuries you may have sustained, and the activities that cause you pain. He
will then have to determine if you have osteoarthritis or another form of
arthritis or abnormality that can cause joint pain. There is no specific
laboratory test to identify osteoarthritis. Your doctor may order an x-ray,
which can show arthritic changes including loss of cartilage, a narrowing of
the joint space, or the formation of bone spurs. Synovial fluid may also be
taken from your affected joint and studied in the laboratory.
Your doctor may also use an arthroscope to
diagnose osteoarthritis. An arthroscope is a tiny camera that is inserted into
the affected joint through a small incision. This camera allows the doctor to
see directly into the joint to look for damage to the cartilage and ligaments.
Conservative Treatments for Osteoarthritis
If you have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis,
it is important to work with your doctor to develop a treatment plan. Your
treatment will depend on your medical history, your overall health, and the
severity of your condition. Treatment will usually be able to relieve pain and
stiffness in the joint, but it may not be able to stop the progression of the
disease. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and inflammation while
improving joint function.
Osteoarthritis is most commonly
treated non-surgically. There are three main components of non-invasive
treatment. These include rest to let the injured tissue
heal, medications to relieve pain and inflammation, and exercises to improve
strength and mobility.
Ice and Heat
You can use heat and
cold to relieve pain in your joint. Heat can also be used to relieve stiffness
and cold can relieve muscle spasms. You can apply a heating pad or hot water
bottle for up to 20 minutes several times a day, or take a hot bath in order to
relieve pain. You can also apply an ice pack to your arthritic joint several
times a day in order to reduce pain.
Medication
Your doctor will
likely suggest taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication to help
alleviate your symptoms. NSAIDs are over-the-counter medications such as
ibuprofen and aspirin that relieve pain and reduce inflammation. If NSAIDs are
ineffective, your doctor may recommend injections of cortisone, a powerful
steroid that relieves pain and inflammation.
Alternative Treatments
There are
a few aternative treatments that may be beneficial in treating osteoarthritis.
One alternative is an injection of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid increases
the fluid in joints by surrounding the diseased cartilage with a thicker and
more cushioned environment. Another alternative is a glucosamine/chondroitin
supplement, which gives the body more of the elements it needs to create new
cartilage. Both of these treatments are still being researched, so you should
speak with your doctor before trying them.
Assistive Products
Depending on
which of your joints is affected by osteoarthritis, you may need to consider
wearing special splints, braces, shoe inserts or using other medical devices
that immobilize your joint. Keeping your joint still allows it time to rest and
heal.
Physical or Occupational Therapy
Your
doctor may recommend you see a physical or occupational therapist to treat your
symptoms. These specialists can teach you how to perform activities using your
strongest muscles rather than your weak or injured ones. This will help you
avoid putting excess strain on your joints. Your physical
therapist can also develop an exercise program for you that will
strengthen the muscles around your shoulder joint and improve mobility. This
program will likely consist of a variety of strengthening, stretching, and
range-of-motion exercises.
Chiropractic Treatment
Research
suggests that chiropractic treatment may help to ease pain, improve range of
motion, and relax the muscles around the affected joint. This can be especially
relevant for people who have osteoarthritis of the spine.
Acupuncture
Studies on the use of
acupuncture to treat osteoarthritis have not been conclusive. Some research
indicatesthat acupuncture needles can relieve pain by releasing or rerouting
energy in the body. Acupuncture is safe.
Operative Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Surgery is only needed to treat
osteoarthritis if you have severe symptoms that do not respond to conservative
treatment. There are several surgical procedures that can be used to treat
osteoarthrits.
Arthoscopic Debridement
If your
condition is diagnosed in the early stages, while the wear and tear is minimal,
your doctor may be able to treat it arthroscopically. The surgeon will use a tiny
camera inserted into your joint through a small incision in order to repair the
tears. The surgeon will then remove any loose bodies and inflamed or
degenerative tissue. He will also smooth out any irregularities in the surface
of the joint. Debridement is usually used you experience a locking sensation in
your joint due to torn or loose cartilage.
Arthroplasty
During
arthroplasty, more commonly known as joint replacement surgery, your surgeon
removes your damaged joint surfaces and replaces them with plastic and metal devices
called prostheses. Joint replacement surgery is most often done on the hip and
knee joints but implants can also replace your shoulder, elbow, finger, or
ankle joints. Artificial joints can restore strength and mobility to your
affected joint. If your artificial joint becomes loose or wears out, you may eventually
need to have it replaced.
Fusion
Surgeons can fuse two
bones together in a joint to increase stability and reduce pain. Fusion
prevents motion in your affected joint, which can eliminate pain cause by
movement.
When talking with your doctor
about possible surgical options, here are some questions you can ask:
- Will my osteoarthritis get
worse as I get older?
- Will I be more vulnerable to
developing rheumatoid arthritis?
- Is conservative treatment the
best option?
- Are there activities I should
avoid?
- What kind of side effects do
the medications cause?
- How can I prevent any
additional damage to my joints?
- How long does it take to
recover from joint replacement?
- How soon will I be able to
work after surgery?
Resources for Osteoarthritis
Supportive Products
A number of devices provide support to the joint or immobilize it if
appropriate. Various splints or braces may help to better manage your
symptoms. Finger and wrist splints can help with painful joints of the hand. When osteoarthritis
affects joints that are responsible for bearing weight, such as knees
and hips, you might try using a cane to take some of the stress off of
the painful joint.
Orthotics
Custom-made orthotic inserts for your shoes can help with posture and assist in preventing imbalance in your gait. If you’re experiencing osteoarthritis of the spine, try a neck collar or lumbar support item.
Magnet Therapy
Although magnet therapy
is not in widespread use for osteoarthritis, some research suggests
exposure to electromagnetic fields may stimulate the production of cartilage. One of the few studies aimed at determining the efficacy of magnet therapy for people with osteoarthritis is reported to have positive results in arthritis pain relief.
Supplements & Medications
Medications such as Tylenol, ibuprofen, and anti-inflammatory drugs can help alleviate the pain and swelling associated with osteoarthritis. Alternative or nutritional supplements such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate have given some benefit to patients being treated for osteoarthritis-related conditions.
Chondroitin sulfate is an essential supplement that supports cartilage health, improving its resistance to compression and shock. Given that deterioration of carilage creates many of the problems associated with osteoarthritis, this seems
to offer potential benefit. This supplement duo is important for cartilage repair and health.
Lotions and Creams
WP Cold Therapy is
a topical analgesic or pain reliever. Formulated with Ilex, a natural
extract from the South American holly bush, it is often a better
alternative for people who do not like the sensation of heat-producing
creams and lotions. WP Cold Therapy provides deep-tissue penetration at
the site of pain, providing longer-lasting arthritis pain relief, which may prove to
be of some benefit to people with osteoarthritis.
Workout Suggestions
Gentle exercise such as biking, walking and swimming can help to
strengthen and stabilize joints. If a joint is swollen or tender, it is
probably best not to exercise it. If you experience a new kind of pain,
or if pain persists after exercising, this might be an indication that
the intensity of the exercise put too much stress on the joint.
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