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Osteoarthritis most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, and spine. It affects millions of people worldwide. Symptoms of Osteoarthritis can usually be managed. Maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and receiving specific treatments might slow the progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is characterized as the deterioration of the cartilage in joints, resulting in bones rubbing together and creating stiffness, pain, and impaired movement. The degeneration and loss of cartilage can subsequently lead to alterations of the subchondral bone. 80% of adults over 50 will demonstrate some evidence of Osteoarthritis, which many people associate with wear and tear, as it is correlated with advancing age and excess pressure on joints.
Osteoarthritis is divided into two categories: primary and secondary.
Primary
As a result of wear and tear and aging, this degeneration process tends to occur at the age of 50-60, without any predisposing abnormalities. As the collagen matrix of cartilage is stressed by decades of use, these changes occur. By releasing enzymes, this damage destroys collagen components. Furthermore, our ability to synthesize and restore collagen structure decreases as we age.
Secondary
This occurs in association with a predisposing factor that has caused degenerative changes. These include.
- Crystal deposition
- Presence of abnormal cartilage
- Trauma (Joint injury but also includes obesity and surgeries)
- Inflammation
- Congenital abnormalities, such as hypermobility and abnormal joint structure
What Are Its Symptoms?
Joint pain and stiffness are the main symptoms of Osteoarthritis. The pain is usually worse when you move the joint or at the end of the day. It’s common to feel stiff after rest, but this usually wears off quickly once you get going. There may be no apparent reason for symptoms to vary. Your symptoms may vary depending on what you’re doing.
The affected joint may sometimes be swollen. The swelling may be:
- Soft, caused by thickening of the joint lining and extra fluid inside the joint capsule.
- Complex and knobbly, especially in the finger joints, caused by the growth of extra bone
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
It is usual for your joints to be damaged on a low level as part of living everyday life. You usually do not experience any damage symptoms because your body repairs it by itself. As a result of Osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage on the ends of your bones breaks down, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint. A reddened and swollen area can develop from bone growth.
Who Is At Risk?
Certain factors are known to increase the risk of Osteoarthritis. Some of these factors are beyond your control.
- Family history: Osteoarthritis sometimes runs in families. If your parents or siblings have it, you’re also more likely to.
- Age: The condition is directly connected to wear and tear on joints. It becomes more common as people get older.
- Gender: The condition can affect both men and women. It is slightly more common in men until age 45.
- Previous injury: People who have injured a joint are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis in that joint.
- Obesity: Being obese puts increased stress and strain on the body, increasing the risk of developing the condition.
- Occupations: Repetitive actions can put undue stress on your joints, and jobs that require repetitive motions can increase the risk.
Treatment for Osteoarthritis
Treatments for Osteoarthritis can help reduce pain and improve mobility.
Medications
- Glucosamine Sulphate – is a dietary supplement that helps decrease the symptoms of Osteoarthritis. People use glucosamine sulfate orally to treat a painful condition caused by inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage.
Therapy
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
Surgical and other procedures
- Cortisone injections
- Lubrication injections
- Realigning bones
- Joint replacement
Osteoarthritis can significantly impact your life based on your ability to cope with pain and disability. If you’re feeling frustrated, talk to your doctor because they may be able to provide you with suggestions or refer you to someone who can assist.
