Have you felt a miserable pain that almost makes you fall back into your bed when you wake up in the morning or after a prolonged sitting??? Alters your daily routine?? Makes you helpless?? It’s definitely not normal!!! Well, that may be osteoarthritis!!
Hello friends, this is Dr. Sharad Kedia, the best rehabilitation specialist in Jaipur and your friendly consultant. I would like to tell you that the pain and discomfort you’re being through can lead to situations way worse!!!
What is Osteoarthritis??
An osteoarthritis is a run-of-the-mill form of arthritis, hitting millions of people around the globe. This comes about when the protective cartilage, which allows the frictionless movement of the joints, deteriorates over time.
Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint of your body it most frequently hits your knees a.k.a. knee osteoarthritis, hands a.k.a. hand osteoarthritis, hips a.k.a. hip osteoarthritis, and spine a.k.a. spine osteoarthritis. The damage that occurred to the joints is irreversible still the symptoms can be usually managed. Staying active, upholding a healthy weight, and seeking certain treatments can slow down the further progress of the disease and help in enhancing joint function while minimizing the pain and other symptoms.
What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis??
The symptoms of osteoarthritis develop slowly but intensify badly over time.
They’re:
- Pain: Hurting of affected joints during or after the movement.
- Stiffness: Formation of a constraint most noticeable upon awakening or being inactive.
- Tenderness: Joints can be felt soft on the application of even light pressure to them or near them.
- Loss of flexibility: The full range of the motion of the joint can not prevail.
- Crackling sensation: One might feel a crackling or grating sensation while using a particular joint.
- Bone spurs: Extra bits of bones, which feel like hard lumps, are formed due to bone deformity arising around the joint.
- Swelling: Soft tissue inflammation around the joint is caused due to osteoarthritis.
Etiology of Osteoarthritis??
Osteoarthritis is also known as wear and tear disease because this arises due to the withering of articulating cartilages at joints that allows smooth movement of them.
The cartilage, eventually, wears down completely causing abrasion of bones.
Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint. Besides the breakdown of cartilage, it results in bone deformation, degeneration of tendons and ligaments, and also causing inflammation of joints.
Factors that can induce its severity??
The risk factors that could encourage the threats and severity of osteoarthritis are:
- Age: The risk of osteoarthritis is directly proportional to age. Older people are more likely to develop osteoarthritis.
- Sex: Women are more prone to acquire the disease.
- Obesity: Extra body weight induces increased chances of osteoarthritis ’cause increased body weight adds stress to the weight-bearing joints, such as your hips and knees. Also, adipose tissue produces substances that can cause harmful inflammation in and around the joints.
- Joint injuries: Injuries occurred while playing sports or from an accident, can evidently increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Even injuries that took place a long time back and apparently healed can also induce your risk of osteoarthritis.
- Repeated pressure on joints: If your job or any other activity puts repetitive stress on a joint, it might gradually develop the disease.
- Bone deformities: Some people have malformed joints or defective cartilage by birth.
- Genetics: Some people obtain a tendency to formulate osteoarthritis from their iI forefathers.
- Bone deformities: Diseases like hemochromatosis and diabetes mellitus also participate in osteoarthritis consequences.
Complications
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that gets horrible over time, resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become deadly enough to make your daily tasks impossible.
Depression and sleep disturbances are also led by pain and disabling osteoarthritis.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of osteoarthritis includes imaging tests and lab tests.
Imaging tests
- X-rays – An X-ray reveals cartilage loss which is indicated by the narrowing of the synovial cavity in the joints and bone spurs.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)- A MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to yield detailed imaging of bones and soft tissues Including cartilages.
Lab tests
Osteoarthritis does not need any lab tests but still, it’s important to confirm that it’s only osteoarthritis and not some other infections or diseases.
These include blood tests and joint fluid analysis.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis is an irreversible disease, but certain treatments can reduce pain and help you move better.
Medications
- Acetaminophen – It helps people with osteoarthritis who have mild-moderate pain.
Excessive intake of acetaminophen can lead to liver damage.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) – Over-the-counter NSAIDs are available such as Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, etc.) and Naproxen sodium (Aleve) are taken at recommended doses help people to reduce osteoarthritis pain. Although strong NSAIDs could be bought over-prescriptions.
Side effects include stomach upset, cardiovascular problems, bleeding problems and liver and kidney damage.
NSAIDs are also available as gels for exterior application.
- Duloxetine (cymbalta) – It’s an antidepressant which is also approached to treat chronic pain.
Therapy
- Physical therapy- It includes exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joints to maximise your flexibility and minimise pain.
- Occupational therapy- an occupational therapist helps you in discovering ways to do your routine tasks without putting extra pressure on your already painful joints.
- Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)- This employs a low voltage electrical current to relieve pain in the short term in people with knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis.
Surgical techniques
These techniques are advised for people with severe osteoarthritis.
- Cortisone injections: These injections relieve pain for some weeks. Medication is injected into the synovial cavity after numbing your joint area.
- Lubrication injections: Hyaluronic acid injections provide some cushioning in cases of knee osteoarthritis.
- Realigning bones: In a knee osteotomy, a surgeon cuts across the bone either above or below the knee and then removes or adds a wedge of bone to shift your body weight away from the damaged part of the bone.
- Joint replacement: In a joint replacement surgery, a surgeon removes the deteriorated joint surfaces and replaces them with parts of plastic and metals.
If you have joint pain or stiffness that is relying over a long time, there’s an immediate need to consult an expert.
Start your treatment as soon as possible to prevent further damage.
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