Treatment For Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis that occurs when flexible tissues at the end of bones wear down. It is also called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis. It affects joints and occurs generally in the knees, hips, hands, feet, and spine.

Cartilage is a soft rubbery material that covers the end of each bone. In Osteoarthritis, the cartilage that provides a gliding surface for joint’s motion and acts as a cushion between the joints breaks down and causes pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. Osteoarthritis can occur in people of all ages but is most common in people older than 65.

As Osteoarthritis worsens over time, the cartilage breaks down and causing pain and swelling and bones may break down eventually and develop growths called bone spurs. An inflammatory process occurs in the body due to which certain proteins (also known as cytokines) and enzyme develop that further damages the cartilage. In the final stages of osteoarthritis, the cartilage wears away due to which the bones of joint rubs against each other upon movement, causing more pain and damage to the joints.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis may vary depending upon which joint is affected and the severity of the affected joint. Some of the most common symptoms of Osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the joints and swelling in the joints after an extensive activity. When fingers and hand joints are affected, it makes it difficult for you to grasp and hold objects, such as a pencil. Activities such as walking, climbing stairs, and lifting objects may become difficult when the lower body joints are affected.

One of the extremely important treatments for people suffering from Osteoarthritis is exercise. You might think that exercise may cause pain and stiffness in the joints or even worsen your symptoms but that’s not true. Regular exercise will actually keep you active, build up the muscles and strengthens your joints which in turn help to improve symptoms. Exercise also helps in reducing weight, improving posture and relieving stress, all of which helps in easing symptoms of osteoporosis (such as joint pain and joint stiffness).

A doctor might recommend painkillers for you depending upon the severity of your pain. When simple everyday activities like walking and climbing stairs become difficult, only then the doctors will suggest for a joint replacement surgery (such as Knee replacement surgery, Hip replacement surgery, Shoulder replacement surgery, Elbow replacement surgery, and Spine surgery).

So, don’t ignore the pain in your joints. If even the painkillers are unable to provide relief from the pain, then you need to go see an Orthopaedic doctor and Joint replacement surgeon for the diagnosis, to see if it is Osteoarthritis or an underlying medical condition that’s causing you pain.