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OsteoarthritisOsteoarthritis – General InformationOsteoarthritis is a common form of arthritis, which is characterized by breaking down, or loss of articular cartilage. Cartilage is a smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint and allows the bones to move smoothly and continuously along over one another. When the bone surfaces is not so well protected by cartilage, the patient starts to experience pain upon weight bearing or any physical activity, including walking and standing. There can be two categories of Osteoarthritis: primary or secondary. The first one appears without any specific cause and it is usually a result of elderness. As a person gets older, the water content by any cartilage decreases causing it to be less resistant. Inflammation of the joint capsule can also happen and a new bone can outgrow. This bone can change and also the inflammation and the process are usually very painful and debilitating. The second kind occurs in joints with serious injuries, that experienced any form of infection or fracture or caused by some other factors or diseases (ex: congenital disorders as hip luxation, Diabetes, hormonal disorders, pregnancy, ligamentuous deterioration etc). Obesity can also be the cause of secondary Osteoarthritis ascribable to added pressure exerted on weight-bearing joints. Although it is usually easy to diagnose this chronic disease, one single test cannot pinpoint properly the disease. Most doctors use a mixture of patient history and exams, and x-rays to diagnose the disease.Osteoarthritis – SymptomsThe symptoms of Osteoarthritis may be intermittent, with long periods of remission but the disease is not always associated with systemic manifestations. The most important symptom is represented by the chronic pain that is causing a loss of mobility and sometimes stiffness. Pain never comes from the cartilage (because it contains no nerves), but from the adjacent area, where are stretched or irritated tissues. That kind of pain is usually described as a very sharp ache of muscles and tendons that are in the near of the damaged cartilage. There can be muscle spasm and some contractions in the tendons area. Occasionally, the joints may also be filled with an accumulation of excess fluid - a common cause of water on the knee. Atmospheric humidity may increase the pain and it’s common for many patients. The pain may also get worse after some stressful life events, such as the loss of someone loved etc. The disease commonly affects the feet, hands, fingers, hips, knees, and spine, although theoretically any joint in the body may be affected (but is rarely found in joints of the wrist, elbows, shoulders, and jaw). As Osteoarthritis progresses, the affected joints seem to be larger, are painful and stiff, and usually feel bad if they are used throughout the day. As the cartilage deteriorates, the bones start to rub together, producing pain, and sometimes swelling. The joint usually begins to transform, to lose shape. Small bone may grow on the edges of the joint. Inflammation is not always present. These symptoms usually begin gradually, taking a couple of years until the pain gets severe enough.Osteoarthritis – TreatmentIt is known that the evolution of clinically detectable Osteoarthritis is irreversible, and its typical treatment focuses on medication that can minimize the pain and improve joint function. Beginning treatment as early as possible can help reduce long-term damage to joints and bones. Whatever is the severity there are some conservative measures that are beneficial to sufferers, such as exercise, rest, weight control acupuncture and the use of some mechanical support devices (knee braces – in case of Osteoarthritis of the knees - that keep the joint in proper position during sleep or activity, a walker etc). Regular exercise, usually in the form of swimming or walking is always encouraged. Research relieves the fact that one of the best treatments for Osteoarthritis is exercise. It improves mood and outlook, increase joint flexibility, improve blood flow, decreased pain, maintain or decrease weight. Another measure refers to overweight people. They can reduce the shock on their joints only by losing some weight. In their case, knees, for example, when descending stairs, need to sustain an impact 3 to 5 times the body weight. Almost all treatment plans have regularly scheduled rest. Patients must recognize theirs body's signals, and they should know when to slow down or maybe when to stop. Surgery is recommended only in severe cases that interfere with patient's ability to do daily activities, such as dressing, bathing, or walking up stairs. Arthroscopy is also a procedure that is being used to diagnose and often repair joints. The procedure is performed, usually on knees and shoulders. For arthroscopy, the doctor uses a long viewing tube called an arthroscope that he inserts through a little incision in the skin near the affected joint. The arthroscope has a light and a small video camera and can be inserted right into the fluid-filled space in the joint. The doctor can remove damaged areas of cartilage that may be causing irritation. This procedure may provide temporary relief of symptoms, but this repair may not stop the progression of the disease. The medication that are commonly used to treat Osteoarthritis contains all kinds of anti-inflammatory drugs - available by prescription or over the counter - they fight inflammation and relieve pain; acetaminophen - can also be very effective in treating the pain; topical pain-relieving creams, rubs, and sprays - applied directly to the skin. In cases of severe pain, narcotic pain relievers may be needed. Corticosteroids are usually injected into the joints that are affected rather than taken orally also to relieve the pain. A combination of several treatments usually works best but it can take some time to find the mixture that works best for each person. This is why it is so important for people and their doctor to work together, as a team, and develop the most effective treatment plan. Proper guidance, given by a professional is important in dealing with Osteoarthritis because helps people with this condition to improve the quality of their life. Dealing with chronic pain is usually very difficult and can result in depression. Communicating with caregivers and other patients can be helpful because it can maintain a positive attitude. |
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