Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis:

It is also known as degenerative joint disease, it is the main type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis can be affected any joint in fingers, lower back, hips, feet and knees. Treatment is available to reduce the pain.

Causes of Osteoarthritis:

According to researchers, it can be caused by a combination of factors such as the aging process, heredity, over body weight, joint injuries and muscle weakness. Sometimes, it is associated by mechanical stress. Mechanical stress is a result of imbalance of enzymes released from the cartilage cells.

Joint pain and swelling can be caused by excessive use of joints for a long time. Sometimes it can be caused by other serious health problems such as surgery to the joint structures, obesity, repeated trauma, diabetes and other hormone diseases.

Signs and symptoms of Osteoarthritis:

• Severe pain in the joint
• Discomfortable in a joint during changes in weather
• Loss of joint flexibility
• Stiffness and swelling in a joint.
• It may affect finger joints, hips joints, and thumb joints.

Joint affected

Spine: Some parts of spine can be affected by osteoarthritis.

Fingers: Fingers joints are also affected by this disease. Joints may experience stiffness, severe pain and numbness. Bony knobs may enlarge in finger joints and tend to run in families.

Weight-bearing joints: Sometimes, weight bearing joints may be affected by osteoarthritis. You can feel severe pain or discomfort when you walk and stand. Sometimes you may experience swelling and pain in knees joints.

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis:

Physical examination, imaging techniques and blood tests will be recommended by the health care providers to diagnose osteoarthritis. Imaging techniques such as bone scans, magnetic resonance imaging scans, X-rays, arthrography and computerized tomography scans may be preferred by the doctor to detect the symptoms of the disease.

Treatment:

Medications:

Acetaminophen: Acetaminophen may be prescribed by the doctor to treat pain. It is very effective in case of people with mild to severe pain. Liver damage is developing, if you take acetaminophen for a long term.

Topical pain relievers: Topical pain relievers are available in the form of ointments, creams, sprays and gels to treat pain and inflammation. Sportscreme and aspercreme that contain pain reliever trolamine salicylate are very effective. Use capsaicin cream on the affected area, it may relieve pain in joints.

NSAIDs: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be preferred by the doctor to fight inflammation and relieve pain. OTC ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen sodium at high dose are prescribed by the health care providers. There are some side effects of NSAIDs such as gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney damage, gastric ulcers and liver damage, if use it for a long periods.

Antidepressants: Antidepressants medications may help to reduce moderate pain. It can be used for reduce the symptoms of the disease.

Surgical:

Joint replacement: In this procedure, damaged joint is replaced by plastic or metal device with help of surgeon. This treatment is very expensive. It is successful in replace large joints. It can help to reduce the pain and resume an active.

Fusing bones: sometimes fuse bones are used by the surgeon to reduce pain and increase stability. Fuse bones such as ankle may implant without any pain and inflammation.

Prevention:

• You should do exercise regularly and maintain good posture during exercise.

• You should eat balanced diet.

• You can apply heat on the affected area.

• You should avoid excess body weight.

• You should take medications which are prescribed by the doctor regularly.