World osteoarthritis Day, 12 October 2015
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis among older people, and it is one of the most frequent causes of physical disability among older adults.
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage, the tough elastic material that covers and protects the ends of bones, of a joint erodes (breaks down). Bones begin to rub against each other, causing pain and difficulty moving the joint.
The disease affects both men and women but in people over age 45, more women than men have osteoarthritis.
World osteoarthritis Day, 12 October 2015
What Is Osteoarthritis?
OA is most commonly found in the: Knees, Hips, Hands, Back and neck.
Wrists, elbows, shoulders, and ankles can also be affected by OA, but this occurs less frequently.
World osteoarthritis Day, 12 October 2015
What causes osteoarthritis?
Factors that may increase your risk of osteoarthritis include:
Getting older: Advancing age is one of the strongest risk factors for OA. The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why.
Obesity
Genetics and Heredity
Joint injury or overuse caused by physical labor or sports: Stresses on the joints from certain jobs and playing sports such as football increase your risk of developing OA in joints. Normal activity and exercise don’t cause osteoarthritis, but doing very hard activities over and over or physically demanding jobs can increase your risk.
World osteoarthritis Day, 12 October 2015
What are the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain, Loss of flexibility and limitation in full movement of the joint are typical.
- Tenderness: Your joint may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it.
- Stiffness: more severe on waking up in the morning, and improves within 30 minutes when the individual starts moving about. Also, joint stiffness may be most noticeable after a period of inactivity.
- Joint may ache during or after movement.
World osteoarthritis Day, 12 October 2015
How is osteoarthritis treated?
There's no known cure for osteoarthritis, but treatments can help reduce pain and maintain joint movement.
The main treatments for osteoarthritis include lifestyle measures – such as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly – medication to relieve your pain, and supportive therapies to help make everyday activities easier.
In a few cases, where other treatments have not been helpful, surgery to repair, strengthen or replace damaged joints may also be considered.
Lifestyle changes
- Exercise to strengthen the muscles that support joints affected by osteoarthritis.
- Lose weight, if necessary, to take stress off of osteoarthritic joints.
- Rest and avoid activities that cause pain.
World osteoarthritis Day, 12 October 2015
How is osteoarthritis treated?
Medications
- Acetaminophen (paracetamol, Tylenol)
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs): They include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen and celecoxib (Celebrex).
- Pain medications, such as tramadol or codeine-type medicines, may be prescribed if the other medicines don't work.
- Intra-articular injections such as Corticosteroid injections and Hyaluronic acid injections.
World osteoarthritis Day, 12 October 2015
How is osteoarthritis treated?
Surgery
Surgery for osteoarthritis is only needed in a small number of cases where other treatments have not been effective or where one of your joints is severely damaged.