Osteoarthritis refers to a degenerative joint disorder that causes gradual loss of protective cartilage around the bones. It is more common in weight bearing joints such as the hips, knees, and spine. It can sometimes affect the fingers, toes, and neck joints. It usually occurs between 40-50 years old, but it can also occur earlier if there are underlying conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or septic arthritis. More often than men, osteoarthritis affects women than men. Although the exact cause of osteoarthritis remains unknown, it is believed to be age-related.
Joint Cartilage
The joint cartilage becomes more sensitive to ageing, which can lead to inflammation and erosion. As cartilage wears down, the surrounding ligaments and tendon become stretched, causing stiffness and pain in the affected joint. The main risk factors are obesity and age. Obesity puts more pressure on the aging joints. Other risk factors for osteoarthritis include injury to the joints, excessive stress on joints and genetic defects in cartilage.
Osteoarthritis can also be caused by conditions such as diabetes and gout. Osteoarthritis is characterized by increasing joint stiffness and pain. In the early stages of osteoarthritis, stretching and walking can help with stiffness and pain. Walking can cause more pain in later stages. The fluid collection and effusion of fluid can cause swelling in the joints. An agonising sensation may result from the bones rubbing against each other.
Crepitus
This is called ‘crepitus’. Hard bony enlargements, known as Heberden’s Nodes, may develop when osteoarthritis affects finger joints. These are not painful, but they can restrict the movement of the joints. Sometimes, there may not be any symptoms. Osteoarthritis can only be diagnosed if the patient is also being examined for another condition. The clinical history and examination are usually enough to diagnose osteoarthritis.
X-rays are a good way to confirm the diagnosis. X-rays can show loss of joint space, uneven and cystic cartilage, as well as new bone growths, called osteophytes. Arthroscopy, a minor procedure that uses a camera to view the knee joint under direct vision, is called arthroscopy. It can be very helpful in diagnosing, assessing and treating osteoarthritis. Lifestyle modifications are the key to managing osteoarthritis.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle modifications can help reduce the strain on the joints and increase flexibility. Weight loss can be achieved through exercise and physical therapy. The symptoms can be reduced by taking painkillers, resting during flare-ups or exacerbations, and using walking aids. These measures may not be effective in the later stages of osteoarthritis. In these cases, physiotherapy and joint replacement surgery may be necessary. Osteoarthritis slowly worsens over time. There is no cure. However, a healthy lifestyle can slow down the progression of the condition as well as improve the movement and pain of the joints.