Osteoarthritis- Symptom, Cause, Treatment, Self Care
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What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, characterized by the gradual wearing down of cartilage in the joints. It can affect any joint, but it usually affects hands, knees, hips, and spine. The condition can cause pain, swelling, and reduced motion in your joints.
What are the Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
- Joint pain and tenderness.
- Stiffness, especially in the
- morning or after inactivity.
- Loss of flexibility and a grating sensation in joints.
- Bone spurs, which are extra bits of bone that feel like hard lumps.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. This cartilage erosion can lead to bone grinding directly on bone, which causes pain and restricted movement.
What are the Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis?
- Aging: The risk increases with age.
- Sex: More common in women, especially after menopause.
- Obesity: Extra body weight adds stress on joints, particularly knees, hips, and spine.
- Joint Injuries: Injuries, such as those from sports, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Genetics: Some people inherit a tendency to develop osteoarthritis.
How to Diagnose Osteoarthritis?
- Physical Examination: Checking for joint tenderness, swelling, redness, and flexibility.
- Imaging Tests: X-rays or MRI to look for cartilage loss, bone spurs, and other changes.
- Joint Fluid Analysis: To rule out other causes of joint pain, like rheumatoid arthritis.
Who Should Diagnose and Treat Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis should be diagnosed and treated by a rheumatologist or an orthopedic specialist, who can provide the most effective treatment plans for this condition.
How to Treat Osteoarthritis?
- Pain Relievers and Anti-Inflammatory Drugs.
- Physical Therapy: To strengthen the muscles around the joint, increase flexibility, and reduce pain.
- Joint Injections: Corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid can provide pain relief.
- Surgery: Joint replacement surgery in severe cases.
Complications with Osteoarthritis
- Chronic Pain: Can be debilitating and affect quality of life.
- Decreased Mobility: Leading to a sedentary lifestyle, which can lead to other health issues.
- Joint Deformity: In severe cases, osteoarthritis can cause deformities.
Self-Care with Osteoarthritis
- Regular Exercise: Low-impact exercises like walking and swimming can help maintain joint function and relieve stiffness.
- Weight Management: Reducing body weight can decrease stress on joints.
- Hot and Cold Therapies: Applying heat or cold can relieve pain and reduce symptoms.
- Joint Protection: Using assistive devices like braces, canes, or shoe inserts to reduce stress on your joints.