Osteoarthritis- The Degenerative Disorder of Cartilage

Osteoarthritis: Risk factors, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Osteoarthritis is one of the most common forms of degenerative arthritis caused due to degeneration of cartilage. The cartilage is protein in nature which acts as a cushion between the bones in a joint, thus maintaining the joint space between the adjacent bones.

Although the symptoms of osteoarthritis cannot be reversed but with proper medication and care the symptoms can be managed effectively.

Symptoms:

The symptoms associated with osteoarthritis progress slowly and worsen with time. The symptoms are:

  • Pain in joints during and after movements.
  • Tenderness of joints even on the slightest application of pressure.
  • The stiffness of joints especially after waking up or after rest.
  • There is a loss of flexibility of joints as the joints cannot move through its full range of movement.
  • The grating sensation can be felt or heard while the affected joint is in motion.
  • Bone spurs are formed which are extra bits of bones and can be felt like hard lumps around the affected joint.
  • Swelling around the affected joints.
  • Cracking sounds can be heard when the joints are bent.
Causes:

Osteoarthritis is caused due to the degeneration of the cushioning cartilage. The cartilage which had to be firm and slippery to ensure frictionless movement between the bones in a joint becomes rough and as the condition gets worse it wears out completely leaving the bone to rub each other.

Risk factors:

Factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis are the following:

  • The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age. The older you are the greater risk you have to develop osteoarthritis.
  • Women are more are at greater to develop osteoarthritis than men.
  • Obese people are at greater risk of developing osteoarthritis as there is greater stress at weight-bearing joints. Obese people are also at risk because fat tissue produces the harmful protein that causes inflammation around the joints.
  • Joint injuries especially while playing sports or not properly healed old injuries can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
  • Repetitive stress on joints increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
  • Genetic
  • Some people who are or with some bone or cartilage deformity.

Treatment:

The major aim of the treatment is to reduce pain/inflammation/stiffness and improve joint mobility. The commonly used treatment options are:

  • Pain killers like Paracetamol
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs like Ibuprofen
  • counter-irritant ointments containing Capsaicin and Menthol
  • Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs like Methotrexate
  • Corticosteroids like Prednisolone
The role of Traditional Medicines:

Globally, various tribal and rural cultures have used traditional medicines for the treatment of arthritic conditions. Few studies highlight their role in providing symptomatic relief with lesser side effects.

The traditional medicinal plants and extracts, with proven anti-inflammatory properties, are Extracts of Turmeric (Curcuma), Arnica, sallaki (Boswellia), Sesame oil (Sesamum indicium), and ginger (Zingiber). 

Complications:

Osteoarthritis is a very painful progressive degenerative disorder. The symptoms worsen over time making it very difficult to do daily work.

Some people are suggested by their doctor to undergo joint replacement surgery. The complications associated with osteoarthritis are:

  • Chondrolysis
  • Osteonecrosis or death of bone cells.
  • Stress fracture
  • Infection in joints
  • Bleeding inside the joints
  • Degeneration or rupture of ligaments and tendons, resulting in loss of stability.
Lifestyle tips for osteoarthritis:
  • Losing weight, as losing weight decreases the stress on the joints due to overweight. Losing weight also slows down the cartilage loss and also reduces pain.
  • Exercise may be quite difficult initially but exercise causes muscles to strengthen so that they can support the joints better.
  • Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Avoid junk food, red meat, and also food that tend to cause inflammation.
  • Drink plenty of fluid
  • Avoid smoking tobacco, consuming alcohol and any stimulants
  • Prevent joints from further injury
  • Avoid repetitive motion of joints

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