What is Osteoarthritis?

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, often referred to as a "wear-and-tear" disease. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in a joint gradually deteriorates. Over time, the loss of cartilage can lead to pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the joint.

Key Features of Osteoarthritis:

• Cartilage Degeneration: The cartilage, which acts as a cushion between bones, breaks down, leading to friction between bones.
• Bone Changes: The bones may thicken or form bone spurs (osteophytes) around the joint.
• Joint Inflammation: While not as pronounced as in other forms of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis, mild inflammation can occur in OA.
• Reduced Function: Progressive damage can lead to restricted movement and deformity in severe cases.

Commonly Affected Joints:

• Knees
• Hips
• Hands (e.g., base of the thumb, finger joints)
• Spine (e.g., neck and lower back)
• Feet (e.g., big toe)

Causes and Risk Factors:

1. Aging: Most common in people over 50, as cartilage naturally wears down with age.
2. Joint Overuse: Repetitive stress on a joint, often due to occupation or sports.
3. Obesity: Excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips.
4. Injuries: Previous joint injuries, such as fractures or ligament tears, increase the risk.
5. Genetics: Family history of OA can play a role.
6. Bone Deformities: Congenital or developmental abnormalities in joints.

Symptoms:

• Pain: Worsens with activity and improves with rest in early stages.
• Stiffness: Most noticeable in the morning or after prolonged inactivity.
• Swelling: Mild swelling in the affected joint.
• Loss of Flexibility: Difficulty in moving the joint through its full range of motion.
• Grating Sensation: Feeling or hearing a grinding sound when using the joint.
• Bone Spurs: Extra bony growths may be visible or felt around the joint.

Diagnosis:

• Medical History: Symptoms and risk factors.
• Physical Exam: Check for tenderness, swelling, and range of motion.
• Imaging Tests: X-rays to detect joint space narrowing, bone changes, or bone spurs. MRI may be used in complex cases.
• Lab Tests: To rule out other types of arthritis like rheumatoid arthritis or gout.

Treatment and Management:

1. Lifestyle Modifications:

   • Weight loss to reduce stress on joints.
   • Low-impact exercises (e.g., swimming, cycling) to improve joint function and reduce stiffness.
   • Use of braces or supports to stabilize the joint.

2. Medications:

   • Pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen).
   • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for inflammation.
   • Topical creams or patches for localized pain relief.
   • Injections, such as corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid.

3. Physical Therapy:

   • Strengthening muscles around the joint.
   • Range-of-motion exercises to maintain flexibility.

4. Surgical Interventions (for advanced OA):

• Joint replacement (e.g., knee or hip).
• Joint realignment or fusion.

Prevention:

• Maintain a healthy weight.
• Stay physically active with joint-friendly exercises.
• Avoid repetitive joint stress.
• Protect joints from injuries.

Although osteoarthritis cannot be cured, early diagnosis and appropriate management can greatly improve quality of life and reduce pain.