What is Joint Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It's a degenerative joint disease that causes the breakdown of cartilage, the smooth, cushioning tissue that protects the ends of bones where they meet in a joint.
Symptoms:
- Pain: This is the most common symptom, often worse with activity and improving with rest.
- Stiffness: Joints may feel stiff, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Loss of flexibility: The range of motion in the affected joint may become limited.
- Grating sensation: A grinding or crackling sound may be heard when moving the joint.
- Tenderness: The joint may be tender to the touch.
- Swelling: In some cases, the joint may become swollen.
Causes:
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown, but several factors can contribute to its development:
- Age: The risk of OA increases with age.
- Previous injury: Injuries to the joint, including fractures, ligament tears, and meniscus tears, can increase the risk of OA.
- Overuse: Repetitive stress on a joint can contribute to OA.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts extra stress on joints, particularly the knees and hips.
- Genetics: Some people are genetically predisposed to developing OA.
Diagnosis:
Diagnosis of OA typically involves a physical examination, X-rays, and sometimes other imaging tests like MRIs.
Treatment:
There is no cure for OA, but there are treatments that can help manage the symptoms and slow the progression of the disease. These include:
- Lifestyle modifications: Maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, and using proper joint support can help manage symptoms.
- Pain medication: Over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription medications can help manage pain.
- Physical therapy: Exercises can help improve strength, flexibility, and range of motion.
- Injections: Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation in the joint.
- Surgery: In severe cases, joint replacement surgery may be an option.
Additional Information:
- Joint OA can affect any joint in the body, but it most commonly affects the knees, hips, hands, spine, and neck.
- The rate of progression of OA varies from person to person.
- Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and improve quality of life for people with OA.
