WHAT IS ARTHRITIS ( OSTEOARTHRITIS)? 

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting Lacs of people all over the world. It affects joints in hands, knees, hips and spine mostly. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in the joints gradually deteriorates. The Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. If the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF ARTHRITIS (OSTEOARTHRITIS)?

• Pain. Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.

• Stiffness. Most noticeable joint stiffness upon awakening or after inactiveness.

• Tender Joints. When you apply light pressure to or near it.

• Loss of flexibility. Inability to move your joint through its full range of motion.

• Grating sensation. You might hear popping or crackling sounds

• Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone may feel like hard lumps around affected joint

• Swelling. Caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 

• Diagnosis : Doctor will review affected joint for tenderness, swelling, redness and flexibility.

• Imaging tests like X-rays,  MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging)  in more complex cases.

• Blood Test to rule out rheumatoid arthritis

• Joint fluid analysis  to rule out any other infection 

Treatment 

• Medications can be prescribed to relieve osteoarthritis symptoms, primarily pain.

• Physical therapy strengthens the muscles around your joints, increases flexibility and reduces pain. 

• Occupational therapy helps you discover ways to do everyday tasks without putting extra stress on your already painful joint 

• Surgical and other procedures include Knee osteotomy, Hip or Knee Replacement to realign the bones

• Cortisone  and Lubrication Injections may relieve pain in your joints

• Complementary and alternative medicine treatments that have shown promise for osteoarthritis are Acupuncture, Nutritional Supplements like Glucosamine and chondroitin, Avocado-soybean unsaponifiables. Omega-3 fatty acids.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

Prevention through lifestyle modification include: 

• Exercise.Walking, bicycling or water aerobics.  

• Weight loss.

• Movement therapies like Yoga involve gentle exercises and stretches combined with deep breathing.

• Heat and Cold Therapy

• Capsaicin. Topical capsaicin, a chili pepper extract, applied to your skin over an arthritic joint under the guidance of Alternate Therapist. 

• Braces or shoe inserts or using Assistive devices 

• Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) to relieve pain

Risk factors: Factors that can increase risk of osteoarthritis include older age, gender ( women are more prone), Obesity, Joint injuries.Repeated stress. Genetic Inheritance,Bone deformities and certain metabolic diseases. 

Complications: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain making daily tasks difficult. Pain & disability  may cause depression and sleep disturbances.