Osteoarthritis is a chronic Joint condition and it affects millions of people around the world. The place where two bones come together is known as a joint and the ends of these bones are covered with a protective tissue known as cartilage. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to wear down over a period of time and makes the joint stiff and less elastic. This condition mostly affects the joints that bear the weight of the body such as knees, hips, spine, and hands. However, it may affect other joints of the body too. Another name for this condition is degenerative arthritis. Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in older people and is a leading cause of disability among people above the age of 50 and women are more affected by it than men. Around 30 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis every year.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis usually develop slowly and can get worse as the condition progresses. The most common signs and symptoms are:
- Stiffness
- Swelling
- Pain
- Loss of flexibility
- Tenderness
- Sensation of bones grating
- Bone spurs
Causes
The main cause of osteoarthritis is damage of joints. The joint damage occurs over a period of time and therefore, increasing age is one of the major causes of osteoarthritis. Besides age, the other factors that can cause osteoarthritis are:
- Family history
- Obesity
- Injury to joints
- Repetitive stress on the joints
- Certain medical conditions such as hemochromatosis and rheumatoid arthritis
Treatment
There are several types of treatment available for osteoarthritis. The goal of the treatment is to relieve the pain and delay the progression of the disease. The type of treatment would depend on several factors such as general medical condition, age, location, and the severity of the condition. This condition is generally treated by a combination of treatments such as exercise, medications, weight-loss diets, physical therapy, muscle strengthening, injecting medication into the joint, removing fluid from the joint, and supportive devices such as canes. In certain severe cases where none of these treatments bring relief, surgery may be prescribed.
This is a condition in which the damage to the joints cannot be reversed, but with the right treatment, exercise, and maintaining a healthy weight, symptoms can be managed and the progression of the disease can be delayed.
Disclaimer: The information in no way constitutes, or should be construed as medical advice. Nor is the above article an endorsement of any research findings discussed in the article an endorsement for any of the source publications.
Sources-
- https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925
- https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis
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