Osteoarthritis Definition

Osteoarthritis is a condition caused by the deterioration of the surface layer of cartilages. Cartilages, when healthy, allow bones in the joints to move smoothly over one another. The cartilages of a patient with osteoarthritis do not work as well as they should – they instead rub against it other, causing pain and swelling, and sometimes even debilitation. In worst cases, osteophytes (small bone deposits) grow on the edges of the joints, causing even more damage.

Osteoarthritis Signs and Symptoms

Osteoarthritis pain and stiffness in the joints is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis. The pain is usually stronger after rest – usually in the morning after a patient gets out of bed, and after sitting for long periods of time. In some instances, the affected joints swell.

Osteoarthritis usually develops slowly over several years, but there are some patients who develop it faster. While osteoarthritis pain is usually comparatively milder and does not drastically interfere with day-to-day activities, it can also cause disability to some patients.

Osteoarthritis Causes and Risk Factors

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Older people seem to be more predisposed. Some 21 million Americans in the 25 and older age bracket have osteoarthritis. Young people can also develop osteoarthritis pain from joint injury, malformation, or cartilage defect. Osteoarthritis affects both men and women, but more men seem to develop it before they reach the age of 45. Overweight people and people whose work requires them to stress specific joints are more prone to developing this condition.

Tests and Diagnoses of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is diagnosed through a series of several tests, after which appropriate osteoarthritis medication is administered. After checking the patient’s health history, a doctor will typically test the patient’s reflexes, muscle strength, and ability to basic movements such as walking and bending.
To assess the damage, x-rays may also be required. An X-ray can show cartilage deterioration, bone spurs (if any), and bone damages, but it fails to show early osteoarthritis symptoms and damages. This is why some doctors prefer magnetic resonance imaging (also called MRI), which is very effective in testing for pain that x-rays fail to show.

An MRI can report damages to joint tissues and the meniscus. Aside from an MRI, the doctor may also administer joint aspiration – fluid is draw from the joint and examined under a microscope. Blood tests may be run to rule out other conditions.

Osteoarthritis Relief - Treatment methods for Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis treatment is widely available.
If the condition does not cause disability, simpler nondrug options such as electrical nerve stimulation and Foot massages may be enough .If the pain is worse than average, some drugs may be prescribed. A doctor may also advise a patient to use topical products such as creams and rubs that can be applied directly over affected joints to stimulate nerve endings. Remember that most drugs used for the treatment of osteoarthritis do have their own side effects, so do not take chances – ask your doctor about these drugs, even if they are non-prescription.

In more severe cases, osteoarthritis surgery may be required. The surgeon may remove loose bones and cartilages from the locking or buckling joints, reposition affected bones, or smoothen out (resurface) affected bones. In some cases, the affected joints are replaced with artificial joints (prostheses) which are usually made of either metal alloys or high-density plastic (some are also ceramic). Surgery is usually only done when the condition merits it, especially because rehabilitation takes time.

Other alternative osteoarthritis treatment options include acupuncture and intake of nutritional supplements such as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine. The effectiveness of these alternative methods is still being studied, however.

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