What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis that affects a large number of people around the world. Osteoarthritis affects around 3.6% of the population globally. In simple words, it is caused when the protective cartilage that is supposed to provide cushioning to your bones at the joints deteriorates over time. While osteoarthritis can cause problems at any joint in the body, it mostly occurs in your fingers, hips, spine, and knees.
Osteoarthritis Causes
Osteoarthritis diagnosis is mostly made with the help of imaging tests and physical examinations. The exact cause of osteoarthritis is yet to be known at this stage, but there are certain osteoarthritis risk factors such as old age, obesity, joint injuries or abnormalities, and so on that may increase the likelihood of a person developing the condition. Women are also more likely to develop the condition than men, and genetics also play a role in the onset of the condition.
Symptoms
In the body, the cartilage acts as a shock absorber and reduces the friction between two bones at a specific joint. Due to osteoarthritis, this cartilage becomes stiff and loses its flexibility, thereby leading to pain and discomfort. In severe cases, the cartilage may become so worn out that the bones rub against each other. The symptoms of osteoarthritis are as follows.
- pain: The most common symptom is joint pain that worsens with movement over time. The pain may be during or even after the movement.
- Swelling and tenderness: The affected joints may become swollen and red and may be tender to touch.
- Stiffness: Stiffness in the joints may be observed, especially after periods of rest and minimal movement, which greatly reduces flexibility and range of motion of the joint.
- Grating of bones: In severe cases, a grating (rubbing together) sensation may be experienced at the joint that is an indication that the cartilage has suffered significant deterioration.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis treatment may involve medications, injections, surgery and so on that will be recommended by your doctor based on your history and the severity of the condition. Apart from this, some lifestyle changes could help you cope with the condition and ease the symptoms of osteoarthritis.
- Exercise: Low-impact and low-intensity exercise can help you strengthen the muscles at your joints, thereby easing the symptoms and keeping you fit. However, if you experience joint pain that is unbearable or are experiencing new joint pain for the first time, stop immediately and consult your doctor before exercising again.
- the extra weight: Being overweight increases the burden on your joints and could worsen the symptoms of osteoarthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight, therefore, prevents further damage. A study found that for each kilogram of excess weight that you lose, you reduce the load on your knee joints by around 4 kilograms (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/art.21139).
- Alternate therapies: Hot and cold treatment, physical therapy, braces (supports & holds together) or other assistive devices like a cane (walking stick), for example, could help relieve pain and move better.
When to see a doctor?
If you experience any of the symptoms that are listed above that persist over a significant period of time and do not resolve on their own or if they are impacting your ability to perform basic daily tasks, make an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition that worsens with time, and therefore prompt medical attention could prevent further damage and help you manage the symptoms better.
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