Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that can affect the many tissues of the joint. It can degrade cartilage, change bone shape and cause inflammation, resulting in pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but typically affects knees, hips, hand, lower back, and neck. Its signs and symptoms typically show up more often in individuals over age 50.

Causes

• Age. The risk of developing OA increases with age and symptoms generally, but not always, appear in people over 50. 
• Joint injury. A bone fracture or cartilage or ligament tear can lead to OA, sometimes more quickly than in cases where there is not an obvious injury.
• Overuse. Using the same joints over and over in a job or sport can result in OA.
• Obesity. Excess weight adds stress and pressure on a joint, plus fat cells promote inflammation.
• Musculoskeletal abnormalities. Malalignment of bone or joint structures can contribute to the faster development of OA.

• Weak muscles. If muscles don’t provide adequate joint support, poor alignment can result, which can lead to OA.
• Genetics. People with family members who have OA are more likely to develop it.
• Gender. Women are more likely to develop OA than men.
• Environmental Factors. Modifiable environmental risk factors include things like someone’s occupation, level of physical activity, quadriceps strength, presence or absence of prior joint injury, obesity, diet, sex hormones, and bone density.

Symptoms

• Pain or aching in a joint during activity, after long activity, or at the end of the day.
• Joint stiffness usually occurs first thing in the morning or after resting.
• Limited range of motion that may go away after movement.
• Clicking or popping sound when a joint bends.
• Swelling around a joint.
• Muscle weakness around the joint.
• Joint instability or buckling (as when a knee gives out)

Treatments

Although there is no cure for OA, medication, physiotherapy, and other therapies can help to ease the pain. 

Medication

Pain and anti-inflammatory medicines for osteoarthritis are available as pills, syrups, patches, gels, creams or injectables. They include:  

• Analgesics. These are pain relievers such as acetaminophen and opioids. 
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These are the most commonly used drugs to ease inflammation and pain.
• Hyaluronic acid(HA)/Platelet-rich plasma (PRP). Available from a doctor by injection, this product is intended to help ease pain and inflammation. 

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy plays an important role in managing osteoarthritis. It helps in pain management and also muscle strengthening for pre and post-operation.

• Strengthening exercises build muscles around painful joints and help to ease the stress on them. 
• Range-of-motion exercise or stretching helps to reduce stiffness and keep joints moving.

Surgery

As a last resort, a damaged joint may be surgically fused or replaced with one made of a combination of metal, plastic, and/or ceramic.

Joint replacement surgery replaces damaged joints to restore mobility, alignment and relieve pain.

An orthopedic surgeon can determine the best procedure based on how badly damaged the joint is.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Hip Osteoarthritis

Total knee replacement

Total hip replacement