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Osteoarthritis: Everything You Need to Know

The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects millions of people around the world. When the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones breaks down over time, it causes this condition. Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it is most typically seen in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Although joint deterioration cannot be reversed, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be managed. Staying active, eating a well-balanced diet, and taking certain medications can all help slow down the advancement of the condition. Let's take a closer look at osteoarthritis, including its symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Millions of individuals suffer from osteoarthritis, the most prevalent type of arthritis. When the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away over time, this illness develops. Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it is most typically found in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Signs 

Symptoms of osteoarthritis normally appear gradually and worsen with time. Some of the indications and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Pain: During or after movement, the afflicted joints are likely to hurt.

Stiffness: When you initially wake up or after a period of inactivity, it is most noticeable.

Tenderness: You may notice that the area around your joint feels sore when you apply light pressure to it.

Lack of flexibility:  You won't be able to fully extend the joint's range of motion.

The feeling of grating: You may detect a grating sensation and hear popping or cracking when using the joint.

Bone spurs: Extra bone fragments may form around the afflicted joint, causing hard lumps to form.

Swelling: This could be the result of inflammation in the soft tissues surrounding the joint.

Causes osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in your joints wears away. Cartilage is a robust, smooth tissue that permits joint movement to be practically frictionless. The bone may rub against another bone if the cartilage is worn down.

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as a "wear and tear" disease. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, affects the entire joint, not just the cartilage. It causes bone alterations and the connective tissues that hold the joint together and connect muscle to bone degrade. An adverse effect is inflammation of the joint lining.

Even while osteoarthritis is common, some people are more susceptible to it than others.

What people are at risk for osteoarthritis?

Some of the things that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis include:

Age: As people get older, osteoarthritis becomes more common.

Gender: Although the reason for this is unknown, women are more prone than males to get osteoarthritis.

Obesity: Excess body weight causes osteoarthritis, and the more you weigh, the higher your risk. The weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, are strained as a result of weight gain.

Damage to the joints: Osteoarthritis can develop as a result of sports-related injuries or as a result of an accident.

Consistent pressure on the joint: Repetitive stress on a joint from your job or activity you partake in can lead to osteoarthritis over time.

Genetics: The majority of people are genetically predisposed to inherit osteoarthritis from family members and close relatives.

Deformities of the bones: Some people are born with defective cartilage or joints that are deformed.

How can you know if you have osteoarthritis?

During the physical exam, the doctor will search for soreness, edema, redness, and flexibility in the afflicted joint.

Imaging tests

Your doctor may advise you to obtain photographs of the afflicted joint by:

X-rays: A narrowing of the distance between the bones in your joint is seen by X-ray scans, indicating cartilage loss. An X-ray might also reveal bone spurs around a joint.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI creates detailed images of bone and soft tissues, including cartilage. It accomplishes this by the use of radio waves and a high magnetic field. Although an MRI isn't always required to diagnose osteoarthritis, it can provide additional information in some cases.

Lab examinations

By testing your blood or joint fluid, a specialist can confirm your condition.

Blood tests: While there is no blood test to diagnose osteoarthritis, such testing may help to rule out other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis. 

Fluid analysis of the joints: A needle might be used by your doctor to remove fluid from an irritated joint. The fluid is then examined to see if there is any inflammation or if your discomfort is caused by gout or infection rather than osteoarthritis.

What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?

Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured, therapies can help to relieve discomfort and increase the range of motion.

Medications

The drugs listed below can help with osteoarthritis symptoms, particularly pain:

Acetaminophen

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) (NSAIDs)

Duloxetine(Cymbalta)

Therapy Treatment 

Physical therapy:

Exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joints, enhance flexibility, and decrease discomfort will be demonstrated by a physical therapist.

Occupational therapy: 

An occupational therapist can assist you in determining how to carry out regular tasks without irritating your already painful joint.

Surgery

If conservative treatments fail, your doctor may recommend surgical procedures such as:

Injections of cortisone: Injections of corticosteroid medicine can help relieve joint pain.

Injections of lubricant: Hyaluronic acid injections can help relieve pain in your knee by adding cushioning.

Bone realignment: If osteoarthritis has impacted one side of your knee more than the other, an osteotomy may be advantageous.

Joint replacement:  During joint replacement surgery, your surgeon will remove your damaged joint surfaces and replace them with plastic and metal parts (arthroplasty).

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Osteoarthritis: Everything You Need to Know

The most common type of arthritis, osteoarthritis, affects millions of people around the world. When the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones breaks down over time, it causes this condition. Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it is most typically seen in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Although joint deterioration cannot be reversed, the symptoms of osteoarthritis can be managed. Staying active, eating a well-balanced diet, and taking certain medications can all help slow down the advancement of the condition. Let's take a closer look at osteoarthritis, including its symptoms, causes, and treatments.

Millions of individuals suffer from osteoarthritis, the most prevalent type of arthritis. When the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears away over time, this illness develops. Although osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it is most typically found in the hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms and Signs 

Symptoms of osteoarthritis normally appear gradually and worsen with time. Some of the indications and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Pain: During or after movement, the afflicted joints are likely to hurt.

Stiffness: When you initially wake up or after a period of inactivity, it is most noticeable.

Tenderness: You may notice that the area around your joint feels sore when you apply light pressure to it.

Lack of flexibility:  You won't be able to fully extend the joint's range of motion.

The feeling of grating: You may detect a grating sensation and hear popping or cracking when using the joint.

Bone spurs: Extra bone fragments may form around the afflicted joint, causing hard lumps to form.

Swelling: This could be the result of inflammation in the soft tissues surrounding the joint.

Causes osteoarthritis 

Osteoarthritis develops when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones in your joints wears away. Cartilage is a robust, smooth tissue that permits joint movement to be practically frictionless. The bone may rub against another bone if the cartilage is worn down.

Osteoarthritis is often referred to as a "wear and tear" disease. Osteoarthritis, on the other hand, affects the entire joint, not just the cartilage. It causes bone alterations and the connective tissues that hold the joint together and connect muscle to bone degrade. An adverse effect is inflammation of the joint lining.

Even while osteoarthritis is common, some people are more susceptible to it than others.

 What people are at risk for osteoarthritis?

Some of the things that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis include:

Age: As people get older, osteoarthritis becomes more common.

Gender: Although the reason for this is unknown, women are more prone than males to get osteoarthritis.

Obesity: Excess body weight causes osteoarthritis, and the more you weigh, the higher your risk. The weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees, are strained as a result of weight gain.

Damage to the joints: Osteoarthritis can develop as a     result of sports-related injuries or as a result of an accident.

Consistent pressure on the joint: Repetitive stress on a joint from your job or activity you partake in can lead to osteoarthritis over time.

Genetics: The majority of people are genetically predisposed to inherit osteoarthritis from family members and close relatives.

Deformities of the bones: Some people are born with defective cartilage or joints that are deformed.

How can you know if you have osteoarthritis?

During the physical exam, the doctor will search for soreness, edema, redness, and flexibility in the afflicted joint.

Imaging tests

Your doctor may advise you to obtain photographs of the afflicted joint by:

X-rays: A narrowing of the distance between the bones in your joint is seen by X-ray scans, indicating cartilage loss. An X-ray might also reveal bone spurs around a joint.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI creates detailed images of bone and soft tissues, including cartilage. It accomplishes this by the use of radio waves and a high magnetic field. Although an MRI isn't always required to diagnose osteoarthritis, it can provide additional information in some cases.

 Lab examinations

By testing your blood or joint fluid, a specialist can confirm your condition.

Blood tests: While there is no blood test to diagnose osteoarthritis, such testing may help to rule out other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis. 

Fluid analysis of the joints: A needle might be used by your doctor to remove fluid from an irritated joint. The fluid is then examined to see if there is any inflammation or if your discomfort is caused by gout or infection rather than osteoarthritis.

 What is the treatment for osteoarthritis?

Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured, therapies can help to relieve discomfort and increase the range of motion.

Medications

The drugs listed below can help with osteoarthritis symptoms, particularly pain:

Acetaminophen

NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) (NSAIDs)

Duloxetine(Cymbalta)

Therapy Treatment 

 Physical therapy:

Exercises to strengthen the muscles around your joints, enhance flexibility, and decrease discomfort will be demonstrated by a physical therapist.

Occupational therapy: 

An occupational therapist can assist you in determining how to carry out regular tasks without irritating your already painful joint.

Surgery

 If conservative treatments fail, your doctor may recommend surgical procedures such as:

 Injections of cortisone: Injections of corticosteroid medicine can help relieve joint pain.

Injections of lubricant: Hyaluronic acid injections can help relieve pain in your knee by adding cushioning.

Bone realignment: If osteoarthritis has impacted one side of your knee more than the other, an osteotomy may be advantageous.

Joint replacement:  During joint replacement surgery, your surgeon will remove your damaged joint surfaces and replace them with plastic and metal parts (arthroplasty).

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Fibromyalgia is a disease of abnormal pain perception. It is one of the most common causes of chronic widespread pain. It is characterized by reduced pain thresholds and pain with normally innocuous stimuli. Fibromyalgia is common, affecting about 2% of the general population with females being 7 times more susceptible than men to the disease.

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Some people who have psoriasis may develop inflammation in their joints which is then referred to as psoriatic arthritis. Having said that, it is not compulsory for a person with psoriasis and arthritis to have psoriatic arthritis. A person who has psoriasis may suffer from other type of arthritis like osteoarthritis or gout.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE ) is a multisystem autoimmune disease. In this disease, the immune system of the body mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissue. It may affect the skin, joints, blood vessels, kidneys, brain, heart and other organs of the body. SLE is also in short called as Lupus.

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Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disorder characterized by loss of joint cartilage and degeneration of the underlying bone. Osteoarthritis is a commonest condition to affect joints in humans.

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Gout is a painful inflammatory arthritis caused by the deposition of uric acid in the joint. It usually occurs in a single joint especially the joint at the base of the big toe, although it may occur in other joints and may involve more than one joint.

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Ankylosing spondylitis is a chronic inflammatory rheumatic disease, primarily affecting the axial skeleton ( sacroiliac joints & spine ) but also affects peripheral joints, enthesis, eyes and in very rare cases it may also affect the heart and lungs.

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Dr. Laxmi Waprani - Rheumatoid Arthritis Specialist in Pune. Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis. It affects around 1 % of the world's population. It is characterized by pain and swelling in multiple joints of the hands and feet.