Osteoarthritis
Overview:
Quick Reference
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a chronic condition that causes joint cartilage and other joint tissues to deteriorate. The deterioration is caused by formation of bone spurs, or new bone, at the joints. Osteoarthritis is also known as Degenerative arthritis and Degenerative Joint Disease. It can be considered Post Traumatic Arthritis if it follows an acute injury.
Osteoarthritis can be found in almost everyone by age 70. It is found equally in men and women before age 55. In people over the age of 55, it is found more commonly in women. Though symptoms usually appear in older people, osteoarthritis may be present without symptoms in people in their 20s and 30s. About 4 percent of people have osteoarthritis.
Risk factors for osteoarthritis include obesity, working at a job that stresses joints, and aging. Most people over age 50 have some signs of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis may be caused by a number of factors: injury of the joint, overuse of the joint, or trauma to the joint. An exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown to date; it is suspected to be brought on by an interaction of mechanical, biological, biochemical, inflammatory and immunologic factors.
Detailed Information
Cartilage covers the ends of bones and allows joints to move smoothly. Over time, the cartilage can simply wear out. The cartilage at joint surfaces is gradually lost, and the bones may react to redistribute the load. In some cases, small pieces of cartilage may break off and float around in the surrounding area. Osteoarthritis is the systemic loss of cartilage in a joint.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain in one or more joints (because often arthritis affects more than just the)
- Backache
- Pain increases with changes in weather (especially cold and damp)
- Pain occurs when active, not when resting
- Joint stiffness
- Stiffness increases with resting, but does not persist
- Limited movement of joints
- Loss of dexterity of joints
- Usually joints not red, warm, or feverish
- Sometimes joints swollen (especially finger joints)
- Sometimes cracking or grating sound when joints moved
Consult your doctor if you have joint pain, swelling or stiffness; if you can’t move a joint as well as you used to; if your joints are red or warm; if you have joint pain and suddenly lose weight, lose strength, or have a fever; if the joint seems to “catch” or to give way; or if other unexplained symptoms develop.
To diagnose osteoarthritis, your doctor will perform a complete physical exam. A bone X-ray will uncover any bone degeneration, a sign of osteoarthritis.
Treatment/Prevention
The following tips are useful for treating osteoarthritis:
- RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
- If there is no warmth or swelling, you may use heat to relieve the pain. 2-3 times a day for 20 minutes each time is ideal. Hot soaks, heat lamps, or whirlpool treatments may help. You can also try heating pads or deep-heating ointments, or swimming in a heated pool.
- If the spine is affected, sleep on a very firm mattress.
- Rest only when joints are very painful.
- Remain active to keep muscles from wasting away. If you work up to a well-designed exercise program, you can keep or even improve joint flexibility.
- Avoid dancing, running, tennis, or other provocative activities that cause pain.
- Keep doing as much of your normal routine as possible.
- Take aspirin or an anti-inflammatory painkiller such as ibuprofen if needed. Tylenol is a very good pain control medication as well.
Ask your doctor is an exercise program is right for you; get physical therapy in severe cases only. A doctor may also recommend crutches, a cane, or a walker to “unload” joints.
Possible medications include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen; acetaminophen; cortisone injections (for temporary relief of pain and stiffness in joints).
For advanced cases of osteoarthritis, surgery may be necessary. Several kinds are available to osteoarthritis sufferers: arthroscopy to assess and treat some of the surface damage; joint replacement (arthroplasty); joint fusion (arthrodesis).
Last updated: 28-Sep-00
