Degenerative Arthritis (Osteoarthritis)
Osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease affecting the joints, is the most common form of arthritis. About 27 million Americans already have osteoarthritis, according to the Arthritis Foundation, and many more people will develop the disease as they grow older. While arthritis is often painful, there are a number of medications and therapies that are helpful in relieving symptoms and improving joint function.
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Identification
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Osteoarthritis, also known as osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint disease, occurs when the cartilage in the joints starts to deteriorate. The cartilage acts to cushion the joints and keep bones in the joints from rubbing together. While osteoarthritis can affect any joint, it most commonly affects hips, knees, feet, hands and the spine.
Symptoms
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Symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint pain and tenderness. You may notice pain in the affected joint while you are using it, shortly after activity or after a period of rest. Your joints may be stiff when you wake up and may not be quite as flexible. You may notice swelling and a feeling that your bones are grating together when you move the joint. In some cases, bone spurs may develop at the joint.
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Risk Factors
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Many people develop osteoarthritis due to general wear and tear on the body over the years. As you age, protein in the cartilage starts to degenerate, while the cartilage's water content increases. As time goes on, the cartilage starts to deteriorate and may even disintegrate completely.
Obesity increases your risk of developing arthritis as increased weight stresses your joints, particularly the knees. Other joint and bone diseases can make it more likely that you will develop osteoarthritis. These include Paget's disease, septic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and gout. Arthritis can develop in an injured joint years after the injury occurred.
Diagnosis
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After thoroughly examining you and asking you to describe your symptoms, your doctor may recommend that you have an X-ray to determine if your cartilage is breaking down or if you have developed bone spurs. Your joint fluid may be analyzed to rule out gout or infection. A blood test may be recommended to rule out other conditions that could affect your joints. Your doctor may want you to undergo arthroscropy. During this procedure, a small camera is inserted into the area around your joints, allowing your doctor to view the condition of your cartilage and make repairs if needed.
Treatment
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Treatment for osteoarthritis is aimed at alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. If you have arthritis and are overweight, your doctor will recommend that you lose weight to reduce the stress on your joints. Physical and occupational therapy can be helpful in some cases, particularly when the knees or hips are affected. Over-the-counter and prescription medicines may be prescribed to reduce pain and swelling. Acetaminophen is usually the over-the-counter medication most recommended because it is less likely to cause gastrointestinal side effects. Resting swollen joints, avoiding activities that cause pain and applying ice packs can also help alleviate symptoms. Pain-relieving creams and patches can be helpful, as can low-impact exercise, such as swimming or riding a stationary bike.
If pain is severe, your doctor may recommend injections of a hyaluronic acid, such as Synvisc, to temporarily restore joint fluid. Surgery is used when nothing else works and depending on your condition, your doctor may use arthroscopic surgery, bone fusion, bone removal or joint replacement.
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Resources
- Photo Credit Jonathan Natiuk
