Wednesday, 9 September 2015

Osteoarthritis - Age Related Disorder

Types of Arthritis

There are more than 100 known types of arthritis of which the following top three types of arthritis most commonly affect people. 

1. Osteoarthritis
2. Rheumatoid Arthritis
3. Psoriatic Arthritis

This debilitating disease affects areas of the musculoskeletal system where there are joints present. Cartilages are slippery tissue that provide a protective covering to the ends of the bones at joints like the elbow joint, should joint, knee joint. The cartilage protecting these joints, with age undergo “wear and tear”, in short wear away with use. These cartilages could also be damaged due to sports or other injuries. Without the cartilage to cushion the bones, the bones rub against each other causing pain, swelling and loss of motion, in the affected joint. Over a period of time, the rubbing eventually wears the bones away, changing the normal shape of the bones. Sometimes spurs may form on the edges of the joint. The rubbing of the raw edged bones can even chip the bone edges, leaving bits of bone floating around in the joint space, which causes even more pain and damage. 

Osteoarthritis affects only the joints in the hand, wrist, neck, back, spine and hip, all regions that bear weight.

Risk Factors that Cause Osteoarthritis

1. Age is one of the causes of Osteoarthritis, as with age, the cartilage at the joints wear out due to years of use

2. Obesity adds to the development of Osteoarthritis, as obesity puts on an added stress on the joints that have to carry the weight of the body. Joints like the hip and knees get affected. Additionally because of being obese the fat tissue produces proteins that may be the cause of inflammation around the joints

3. Occupations where a certain joint is constantly in use can also cause deterioration in the cartilage cushioning the joints, leading to osteoarthritis

4. Researchers have identified that women are more prone to develop osteoarthritis than men 

Joint injuries acquired due to accidents or while playing sports increase the risk of osteoarthritis developing

6. Heredity in some people causes development of osteoarthritis

  7. Bone deformities such as birth defects of the cartilage or bone malformation are also prone to develop osteoarthritis
People with other diseases such as diabetes, rheumatoid diseases (rheumatoid arthritis and gout) are at an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis


Osteoarthritis develops slowly and worsens with time. Symptoms that indicate that you may have osteoarthritis are:

1. Pain in the affected joints either when moving or at rest

2. The tender joint will not be able to withstand even light pressure, when applied

3. Most noticeable symptom is the stiffness in the joint especially when waking up in the mornings or after a period of inactivity 

4. When using the joint, either a grating sensation may be felt or heard

5. Formation of bone spurs will feel like hard lumps in the joint

Diagnosis and Treatment of Osteoarthritis

Several methods to diagnose the disease are used, which include:

1. Conducting a physical exam
2. Taking an x-ray of the affected areas
3. Checking the medical / genetic history of the patient
4. Blood tests and fluid in the joints examinations

Treatment Options

There are several options available to treat Osteoarthritis:

1. Through medications
2. Controlling weight
3. Exercises / Physiotherapy
4. Through rest and joint care
5. Surgery

The Goals 

While treating Osteoarthritis, the doctors / physicians / surgeons aim to achieve these results:

1. To control pain
2. Maintain healthy body weight
3. Improve the functionality of the joint
4. Maintain a healthy lifestyle

Management of Osteoarthritis

It is important for the patient also to participate in their treatment plan, to achieve the end results that their physician is working towards. People affected by Osteoarthritis have found that self-management programs have helped them lead a better quality of life. People with a healthy attitude and a determination to manage the pain and disability, after making lifestyle changes, can eventually lead a better quality of life. 

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