Osteoarthritis (Degenerative Joint Disease)
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, an inflammation in joints. It is a degenerative joint disease that gradually worsens, and causes stiffness, pain and limits mobility in affected joints. Although it can occur in any joint, it most commonly happens in weight-bearing joints such as the hips, knees and spine, and less frequently, the fingers, thumb, neck and big toe. If it appears in other joints, it is usual the result of injury.
What Causes Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage, the flexible material that cushions the ends of bones, becomes stiff or worn away. Healthy cartilage acts as the bone's shock absorber and prevents friction between bones. When the cartilage deteriorates, the tendons and ligaments stretch unnaturally, which is painful. Pain is increased and bone damage may occur if the cartilage erodes to the point where bone is rubbing on bone. If the shape of the cartilage and bone is affected, the joint doesn't function as it should, causing pain and loss of natural movement.
Factors that increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis:
- Increased age
- Family history of the disease
- Obesity
- Joint overuse
- Experiencing a joint injury
- Gender: Women are more likely to develop the disease
- Muscle weakness
- The presence of other diseases such as gout, rheumatoid arthritis, Paget's disease of bone and septic arthritis
What Are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Symptoms will develop slowly over time. Pay attention to joints that:
- Ache or are painful after use
- Have bone spurs (especially in digits)
- Swell or accumulate fluid
- Feel tender when slight pressure is applied
- Feel stiff after a period of inactivity
- Lose flexibility
When to Seek Treatment
- You have swelling or pain in your joints that last for more than two weeks
- Your mobility is restricted
- You are already being treated for osteoarthritis, and you are having side effects because of medications
How Is Osteoarthritis Evaluated?
Keep a pain diary of your symptoms to show your physicians. Write down:
- The day, time and duration of pain
- Pain location
- Pain intensity, rating it from one to ten, with ten being excruciating
- What you were doing before or during the pain onset
- Physical activities that you participate in. (Have you started something new?)
- Medications you take regularly
Show your diary to your physician. It will help in making a correct diagnosis and planning treatment. Your physician also will conduct a physical exam.
Your physician may also order:
- X-rays
- MRI
- Joint ultrasound
- Bone densitometry
- Bloods test to check for the presence of anemia, or the rheumatoid-factor antibody, antinuclear antibody or citrulline antibody
How is Osteoarthritis Treated?
Nothing will "cure" or reverse joint damage, but the pain can be lessened through:
- Physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises
- Medication, oral and injected into the joint
- Hot and cold compresses to the painful joint
- Removal of joint fluid
- Supportive devices such as crutches or canes
- Weight control
- Using proper body mechanics when active
- Relaxation techniques such as guided imagery
- Alternative treatments such as acupuncture, bioelectric therapy and glucosamine and chondroitin tablets
Surgery is appropriate only when other options have been exhausted:
For more information or to make an appointment please call
1-877-233-WELL (9355).