Osteoarthritis

 

 

OSTEOARTHRITIS

 

 

INTRODUCTION:

The most prevalent type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects millions of individuals worldwide. When the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones gradually deteriorates, it happens.

Although osteoarthritis can harm any joint, it most frequently affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine joints.

Although no known treatment exists for OA, pain can be reduced with medicine, assistive technology, and other non-drug approaches. As a last step, a damaged joint may be surgically fused or replaced with metal, silicone, and/or ceramic material known treatment exists.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Symptoms of osteoarthritis appear gradually and get worse over time. Osteoarthritis symptoms and signs include:

1. Pain: Movement may hurt the affected joints during or after.

2. Stiffness: Joint stiffness may be more apparent in the morning or after inactivity.

3. Tenderness: It could feel tender when you lightly press on or close to your joint.

4. Decrease in mobility:  Your joint may not be able to move through its entire range of motion.

5. Unpleasant feeling: When you utilize the joint, you could get a harsh sensation and hear breaking or cracking.

6. Bone growth: These additional pieces of bone that feel like hard lumps can develop around the afflicted joint.

7. Swelling: Inflammation of the soft tissues near the joint may be the cause of this.

 

CAUSES:

Osteoarthritis develops over time as the cartilage that protects the ends of your bones in your joints slowly wears away. Joint action is almost frictionless due to hard slick tissue cartilage.

If the cartilage is worn away, the bone will eventually rub against the bone.

Osteoarthritis damages the entire joint in addition to the cartilage. The connective tissues that hold the joint together and connect muscle to bone deteriorate, and it alters the bone. In addition, it leads to joint lining irritation.

RISK FACTORS:

 

 

Your factors may be more sensitive to osteoarthritis if you have:

1. Aged more: Age raises one’s risk of developing osteoarthritis.

2. Sex: It is unclear why women are more prone to acquire osteoarthritis.

3. Obesity: Osteoarthritis is exacerbated by excess body weight. Weight gain puts additional strain on weight-bearing joints like your hips and knees. Additionally, adipose tissue makes proteins that might hurt your joints by inducing inflammation around and within them.

4. Joint damage: Osteoarthritis risk can be boosted by injuries sustained in accidents or while participating in sports. Your risk of osteoarthritis can be increased even by wounds that seemed to heal years ago.

5. Continuous pressure on the joint: Osteoarthritis may eventually develop in a joint if repetitive stress is applied to it due to your occupation or your participation in a sport.

6. Genetics: Some people have an inherited risk of getting osteoarthritis.

7. Bone anomalies: Some people are born with faulty cartilage or deformed joints.

8. Specific metabolic conditions: Included in them are diabetes and an iron overload disorder (hemochromatosis).

 

TREATMENT:

Although there is no known treatment for OA, pain can be reduced with medicine, assistive technology, and other non-drug approaches. As a last step, a damaged joint may be surgically fused or replaced with a material mix of metal, silicone, and/or ceramic.

1. Medication:

Osteoarthritis pain and anti-inflammatory medications are offered as pills, syrups, bandages, gels, lotions, and injectables. They consist of:

1. Painkillers: Acetaminophen and opioids are included in these as painkillers, commonly used in osteoarthritis.

2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: These are the medicines that are most frequently used to reduce pain and inflammation. Other common medicine aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen, and celecoxib used to reduce pain. Over-the-counter medications reduce pain but not inflammation.

3. Counterirritants. These over-the-counter medicines contain substances like capsaicin, menthol, and lidocaine that irritate nerve endings, causing the affected area to feel cold, heated, or itchy to distract from the pain.

4. Corticosteroids. These anti-inflammatory prescription drugs function similarly to a hormone called cortisol. At a doctor is injected into the joint.

 

2. Exercise :

The US Department of Health and Human Services recommends aiming for 150 minutes of light-to-moderate exercise every week. Four components make up a successful workout regimen to reduce Osteoarthritis pain and stiffness:

1. Strengthening exercises: help to reduce stress on sore joints by building muscles around them.

2. Stretching or exercises: An increased range of motion helps to keep joints flexible and reduce stiffness.

3. Cardio or aerobic exercises: Can help you lose weight, increase energy, and improve endurance.

4. Strengthening the tiny muscles: Balance exercises in the knees and ankles help people avoid falling.

Before beginning a new workout program, see a physician or physical doctor.

 

3. Loss of weight:

Weight-bearing joints, such as the hips, knees, ankles, feet, and back, are subjected to greater tension and stress when a person is overweight, and fat cells also encourage inflammation.

Assistive technologies and physical therapies:

chiropractors, occupational therapists, and physical therapists can offer:

1. Particular workouts to support your joints and reduce pain.

2. Details on items and services that use natural remedies to reduce pain.

3. Instruction to facilitate mobility and safeguard joints.

4. Braces, insoles for shoes, or other aids.

 

4. Surgery:

Joint surgery can reduce discomfort and increase performance. Surgery to repair damaged joints allows patients to regain movement and experience pain relief. The joints that need replacement the most are the hips and knees.

 

SELF-CARE:

Adopting these behaviors can prevent osteoarthritis, keep you generally healthier, and postpone surgery as long as feasible. Below is a list of them.

1. Keep a Healthy Weight: Obesity makes OA worse. To keep a healthy weight, combine a nutritious diet with regular exercise.

2. Reducing Blood Sugar: Diabetes brings in inflammation, which diminishes cartilage.

3. Maintain Range of Motion: You can aid by taking daily walks, gently stretching, raising and lowering your legs from a sitting or standing posture, and engaging in hobbies like gardening. Don’t overdo it though; always pay attention to your body.

4. Protect your joints: By warming up and cooling down before and after activity. Protect joints with the appropriate equipment if you participate in sports.

5. Relax: Find ways to relax and recharge by practicing meditation, listening to music, spending time with friends and family, participating in enjoyable activities, and finding ways to lessen or eliminate stress.

6. Decide to Lead a Healthy Lifestyle: You’ll feel your best if you eat well, get a balanced diet, quit smoking, drink in moderation, and get enough sleep.