What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disorder where the cartilage in the joints deteriorates over time and eventually wears away, causing the bones to rub together. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, Osteoarthritis is not an autoimmune disease – it’s a result of unavoidable wear and tear on the joints from years of activity.

The most common symptom of Osteoarthritis is pain in the joints, particularly when they’re put under pressure. The pain can be sharp and sudden, or more dull and persistent depending on the severity of the condition.

A person with Osteoarthritis will often experience joint stiffness. This makes it difficult to move around and perform simple tasks like getting up from a seated position or walking up stairs. Stiffness usually happens first thing in the morning, but gets better as you move around during the day.

What are the possible causes of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs due to the damage or deterioration of joint cartilage. Cartilage is a strong, but flexible tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet. Osteoarthritis leads to a gradual degeneration of this cartilage leading to pain, swelling, and loss of mobility. We use our joints every day, and with age we naturally start to lose some flexibility in them. In osteoarthritis, the ends of bones rub against each other resulting in joint pain and stiffness. This condition can affect any joint although it is most common at the knees, hips, fingers, and spine.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease caused by four main factors:

(a) Heredity: Some cases are inherited from parents;

(b) Injury: Trauma to the joint can lead to arthritis;

(c) Obesity: Excess weight puts more stress on joints;

(d) Aging process: As we grow old, our joints wear out over time.

What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a condition caused by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. Cartilage acts as a cushion and shock absorber for the bones, allowing for smooth movement against each other.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• Pain, especially upon waking or after overusing the joint.
• Pain that gets worse with use and improves with rest.
• Decreased range of motion in the joint.
• Fatigue, especially after using the joint.

The symptoms of osteoarthritis can vary from mild to severe and can be felt in any part of the body where cartilage is present, including fingers, knees, hips, back, neck and shoulders.

How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?

Techniques for diagnosing OA include a physical exam, diagnostic imaging and blood work. A thorough history will also aid in making a diagnosis. For example, individuals who have experienced injury to a joint or sustained previous trauma may be at increased risk for OA development. In addition, symptoms such as pain in one or more joints or stiffness can be an indication of OA. Bone scans are used to measure bone turnover, while CT scans can identify changes within the bones of a patient’s hands or feet. Blood tests can help determine if inflammation is present within the body and if osteoclastogenesis (the process of breaking down bone tissue) is taking place.

How is osteoarthritis different from rheumatoid arthritis?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are both types of arthritis, but they’re actually quite different from each other. Osteoarthritis is an age-related disease that causes stiffness, pain, and loss of motion in the joints. The cartilage lining the joints breaks down due to the overuse of the joint and the body’s response to injury. This can cause bones to become deformed or misshapen, which may eventually lead to complete destruction of the joint if left untreated. In some cases, patients can lose up to 50% of their function because of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis affects adults who have been living an active lifestyle; it generally doesn’t affect young people. In fact, it’s rare for someone under 40 to be diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Most common in older adults after the age of 65 and in women more than men, osteoarthritis is more likely to develop in those who have a family history of the disease or whose jobs put stress on individual joints. Popular jobs that may be at risk include chefs, waiters, athletes, teachers, carpenters and even people who work behind computers.

What is the best treatment for osteoarthritis?

Drug

It depends on the severity of your symptoms, but there are a few things you should know about all of them. First, everyone reacts differently to treatments, and if one doesn’t work for you it doesn’t mean that none will. This can be frustrating, but it’s important to remember that there are many options out there. If you find that one treatment isn’t doing its job, talk to your doctor about seeing if another might work better.

In the meantime, here are some things to consider:

-Each drug has its own side effects and risks. Before you make a decision about which drug to take, it’s important to read up on what each of them does in terms of side effects and risks.

-Not all of these drugs are available in generic form. If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, check with your doctor and see if a generic alternative might be available to you.

-Over-the-counter drugs (OTCs) may be worth trying before moving onto prescription drugs. These medications may help relieve mild joint pain for those with mild symptoms—if over-the-counter drugs don’t work for you or get your symptoms under control, talk to your doctor about other.

Physical

Physical treatments are a mainstay of osteoarthritis (OA) management. Although OA can’t be cured, it can be treated. Anyone who has been diagnosed with OA knows that it’s not all gloom and doom. With the right treatment plan, people with OA can manage their symptoms and live full and rich lives.

In terms of mobility and strength, exercise is a cornerstone of arthritis care.1 Physical therapy is an evidence-based complementary treatment that includes exercise as a cornerstone of OA care.2 Physical therapists work with patients in order to develop an individually tailored exercise program that will help them achieve their goals to improve mobility and reduce pain.

Physical therapists may also provide education about everyday activities and how to prevent future injuries with proper body mechanics. They also are trained to provide support for learning new ways of performing everyday tasks that may have become difficult because of arthritis. They can also consult with other healthcare professionals who are treating your condition, so you don’t have to waste time visiting multiple doctors or specialists to get the care you need.

What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?

If osteoarthritis is left untreated, it can progress as the cartilage at the ends of the bones wears down. The bones begin to rub together, causing pain and limited mobility. In some cases, this progression leads to joint deformity or bone spurs that can interfere with normal functioning of the joint.