What is Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease of the joints. There are many different forms of arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common in people over age 50, especially those with a family history of the disease or who are overweight. It was once thought that osteoarthritis was just part of the aging process, but we now know that it’s a chronic disease that can be treated and managed to improve mobility and reduce pain.

The signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis are joint pain and stiffness, which usually worsens as you move. Over time, the pain can affect your quality of life and limit your ability to participate in physical activity.

Osteoarthritis is a condition associated with aging—the majority of people affected are over the age of 50—but it can also be caused by an injury or repetitive stress to the joint. It’s a common cause of disability; more than 27 million Americans have osteoarthritis.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Symptoms of OA may vary depending on the location and severity of the disease. Common symptoms associated with OA include:

-Painful joints (especially during movement or at rest)

-Swelling along affected joints

-Muscular weakness around affected joints

-Stiffness or decreased range of motion in affected joints

-Difficulty doing basic activities, such as walking or getting up from a chair (can be a symptom of both OA and osteoporosis)

Joints that are commonly affected by osteoarthritis

As the cartilage wears away, bone on bone rubbing occurs and causes pain and inflammation. This loss of cartilage is caused by repetitive stress, injury or overuse. There are many joints affected by osteoarthritis, including:

The knee (this is the most commonly affected joint):

• The ankle
• The hip
• The shoulder
• The finger joints
• The spine

Risk factors for osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a debilitating joint disease. It is the most common form of arthritis and affects millions of Americans. It is also a leading cause of disability in the United States, with an estimated 27 million people over age 25 having symptomatic OA. The primary risk factors for developing OA are advancing age, obesity, heredity, physical trauma, and repetitive mechanical stress on joints. The two major types of osteoarthritis are degenerative (wear-and-tear) and inflammatory. Degenerative osteoarthritis occurs as a result of aging, when the cartilage tissue within the joint begins to break down due to repetitive use or injury. Inflammatory osteoarthritis occurs when the body’s immune system attacks joint tissues resulting in pain, swelling and stiffness. Other symptoms include painful movements and difficulty with activities that involve joint movement such as walking or climbing stairs.

Osteoarthritis has many risk factors, including:

• Age
• Joint injury or trauma
• Genetics
• Smoking
• Obesity

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is diagnosed based on symptoms; there is no single test to confirm it. But there are tests that can indicate the presence of osteoarthritis as well as serious underlying conditions that must be ruled out before you can be diagnosed with osteoarthritis. These tests include:

Blood tests: Blood tests may reveal inflammation or an infection.

X-rays: X-rays provide detailed pictures of bones, revealing signs of arthritis and other problems.

A physical exam: A doctor will look for tenderness, swelling or joint instability during a physical exam. A doctor might also press on an affected area to see how well it resists pressure or try to move the joint through its full range of motion (flexion and extension). Medications like anti-inflammatory drugs help reduce symptoms and relieve pain, but only temporarily.

How to manage osteoarthritis?

The first step to managing osteoarthritis is to keep active. The more you move your joints, the less stiff they’ll be and the less pain you’ll feel. Some people find that regular gentle exercise like swimming or walking helps with stiffness and pain while others find that more intense exercise like running or strength training helps. Experiment to figure out what works best for you.

Maintaining healthy weight can help reduce stress on your joints too. Excess weight puts extra pressure on your joints when you carry it around all day and when you stand up from a chair or bed. Having a healthy body weight also improves overall health which can help reduce osteoarthritis symptoms that are caused by conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.

Modifying your activity level and practicing proper body mechanics can help reduce stress on your joints, thereby helping to slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Weight loss can also help manage symptoms by reducing stress on your joints.

Modify your activity level:—Stay active—Aerobic exercise such as brisk walking may help reduce pain in some people with knee osteoarthritis. As you age, weight-bearing aerobic exercise such as walking may be the best exercise for maintaining strength in the muscles around your joints.

How to treat osteoarthritis?

There’s no cure for osteoarthritis, but there are ways to treat it and slow its progression. Being active and following a healthy diet can play an important role in managing your osteoarthritis symptoms.

Exercise is an effective way to manage osteoarthritis symptoms without taking any medications. It has many benefits for people with osteoarthritis. Exercise can improve your balance and reduce your risk of falls. Exercise can also strengthen muscles and improve flexibility, which is important for everyday activities such as rising from a chair or walking up stairs.

Osteoarthritis medications can help manage symptoms such as pain, swelling, or stiffness in your joints. There are over-the-counter medications that can help you manage mild to moderate pain and inflammation. If these medications aren’t effective enough to control your pain, then prescription medications may be an option that you can discuss with your doctor or pharmacist.