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Medicanet 
conditions and treatments
arthritis
types of arthritis
Osteoarthritis |
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that affects the cartilage.
Cartilage is a type of hard tissue that is most commonly found in the joints. It acts as a cushion between the various bones of a joint. Osteoarthritis causes this cartilage to degenerate so that the cushioning effect between the bones is gradually lost. This results in painful and stiff movement and damage to the joints.
The chances of contracting osteoarthritis increase with age and post-menopausal women are at the highest risk. The hands, feet, spine, hips and knees are the most common areas of the body that are affected by this condition.
Causes of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is primarily caused due to old age. Over the years, the water content in the cartilage increases, thereby causing the cartilage to soften and degenerate. This effect is compounded by the repetitive stress injuries that accumulate on the joints.
Tiny crevasses begin to appear on the cartilage and eventually the cartilage may thin down to nothing. This results in pain, stiffness and inflammation in the affected joints.
There is some medical evidence that osteoarthritis might have genetic roots. It may also be caused due to conditions such as obesity, congenital abnormalities, gout, and diabetes. Hormonal disturbances associated with menopause lead to osteoarthritis in women.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Since osteoarthritis is associated with the joints, the most common symptoms are inflammation and pain in the affected joints.
The pain is aggravated when the affected joints are used. In severe cases pain is experienced even when the joints are at rest. People suffering from this disease also report stiffness in the joints, especially when they haven’t been used for sometime. When the weight bearing joints of the foot and knees are subject to this condition it may also cause the patient to limp.
When the spine is affected it results in severe pain in the neck or lower back. It may also cause hard bony enlargements in the joints of the fingers or a bunion on the large toe.
In addition to physical examinations the most common method that is used to diagnose osteoarthritis is an x-ray of the affected part. Other processes for diagnosis include arthrocentesis and arthroscopy. Blood tests are often carried out to check for other diseases that mimic osteoarthritis.
The treatment for osteoarthritis depends on the severity of the condition.
It may range from physical therapy, mild pain killers and anti-inflammatory drugs to surgery. Your local physician will be the most qualified person to tell you about the course of treatment that should be followed.
Precautions to be taken for Osteoarthritis
There are some precautions that you can take to ensure that you minimize your chances of contracting osteoarthritis. Obese people are at great risk and should seek to reduce their weight. Regular mild exercise and stretching and a healthy diet comprising of plenty of green leafy vegetables and dairy products will also go a long way in preventing the onset of this condition.
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