Frequently Asked Questions About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the joints. Although there are over 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of this disease. There is no known cure for osteoarthritis; however, the treatments available are meant to ease the symptoms of this condition and make life bearable. Here is a look at what osteoarthritis is, the symptoms, the risk factors, and treatment options.

What is Osteoarthritis?

This is a condition of the joint that mainly affects the cartilage. Cartilage refers to a slipper tissue covering the bones in any body's joint. Healthy cartilage enables bones to glide against each other and also absorbs the shock caused by movement. When someone suffers from osteoarthritis, the top cover of their cartilage deteriorates and wears out. The cartilage eventually loses water and hardens. The bones start to rub instead of gliding together. This rubbing causes a significant amount of pain, swelling, and reduces motion due to the friction involved. Eventually, the joint loses its natural shape and some bone spurs develop on the affected joints. In some cases, small bits of cartilage or bone break and float inside the joint resulting in more damage and intense pain.

Osteoarthritis only affects the joints unlike other types of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis that affect the internal organs.

What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis symptoms will vary depending on the affected joints and the severity of the damage. The most common symptoms are:

• Pain: People suffering from arthritis experience aches in their necks, backs, hips, and knees. You might also experience sharp pain when moving the affect joint. The exact position of the pain will depend on whether your hands, knees, or hip is affected.
• Tenderness: This is the discomfort you experience when you press down on a joint. Tenderness may include swelling in the area of the joint but it is common when the condition is in its advanced stages.
• Stiffness: Joint pain occurs alongside stiffness. It is common when you wake up or after sitting on a desk for a long period. It is also a warning sign of early osteoarthritis.
• Abnormal sensations: The cartilage absorbs shock and helps the joints to move smoothly. When it wears down, the rubbing of bone against bone leads to various odd sensations. Grating of joints is a common symptom of osteoarthritis. You might also experience joints cracking or clicking when you move.
• Loss of flexibility: People in their early phases of arthritis find it difficult to move the affected parts of their bodies. Joint pain and stiffness can lead to loss of flexibility, commonly referred to as losing range of motion. This is the extent to which you are able to move joints in the normal pattern. For example, extending or bending your knee fully

What Are The Pain Relief Methods For Osteoarthritis?

The objective of treating osteoarthritis is to relieve pain and not to heal the condition. Some of the pain relief methods include:

• Assisted Devices: These are items like walkers, shoe orthotics, splints, scooters, jar openers, and steering wheel grips. These items assist with mobility and function.
• Natural/Alternative Therapies: These treatments include acupuncture, massage, hydrotherapy, and relaxation techniques. These therapies address the symptoms of osteoarthritis and improve a person's general well being.
• Surgery: In severe cases of osteoarthritis, surgery may be required to replace or repair joints that have been seriously damaged. This is the case for osteoarthritis of the knee and hips.
• Weight Management: Excess weight puts a lot of stress on weight bearing joints like the back, hips, knees, and feet. Losing weight helps people with osteoarthritis to reduce pain and prevent further joint damage. Losing weight involves eating few calories, and engaging in physical exercises. The U.S Department of Health and Human Services advises that everyone should get a minimum of 150 minutes of exercise every week.

Top 5 Routes for "Osteoarthritis Symptoms"

1. Arthritis.org A champion of the fight for the arthritis community through life-changing information and resources, access to optimal care, advancements in science and community connections.
2. Niams.nih.gov A forum dedicated to providing information and options to patients with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.
3. Healthline.com A website that provides health related articles for researchers, students, and a general audience willing to educate themselves about different medical conditions.
4. Nhs.uk A website dedicated to providing an indepth coverage of health conditions and how they arise, and how they are treated.
5. WebMD.com A website that act as a source of information related to medical research and health conditions.