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Treatment for Osteoarthritis

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis in the UK, is a condition that causes your joints to become stiff and painful. With osteoarthritis, the cartilage between your joints break down which causes the bones within the joints to rub together. This results in stiffness, pain and a host of other medical symptoms.

Osteoarthritis is a leading cause of disability and affects millions of people all over the world, with nearly nine million sufferers in the UK alone. Osteoarthritis typically occurs in older people, although adults of any age are susceptible. It is a degenerative disease that can damage any joint in your body. It is, however, more common in the joints of the hands, knees, spine and hip.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The primary symptoms of osteoarthritis are stiffness and joint pain. However, some people are also known to experience swellings, tenderness, and creaking of the affected joints.

The severity of osteoarthritis differs from one person to another. For some people the symptoms can be mild and infrequent, whilst others can experience regular severe pains and stiffness, which can make it difficult for them to carry out their daily activities. Some sufferers also find it difficult to move with a full range of motion as a result of this condition.

If you experience joint pains and symptoms that are similar to the ones listed above, you should see your GP immediately so that they can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe the proper course of treatment.

Causes of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a condition that cannot be tied to one specific cause. As part of everyday life, a person’s joints are exposed to certain amount of wear and tear. In most cases the body automatically repairs itself without the person being aware of there having been any damage, but with osteoarthritis this normal wear and tear causes pain, inflammation and stiffness, and the body might fail to heal.

There are also a number of known risk factors that can lead to osteoarthritis. They include:

  • Aging: The risk of osteoarthritis increases as you grow older.
  • Gender: Women tend to be more at risk of getting osteoarthritis than men, though it is not clear why.
  • Obesity: Excess weight adds extra pressure to your joints, thereby increasing your risk of osteoarthritis. In fact, your joints, knees and hips bear the brunt of your weight increase, and these are the areas most prone to osteoarthritis.
  • Joint injuries: If you have ever sustained an injury to a joint, e.g. from playing sports of from an accident, this increases the risk of osteoarthritis. Even old injuries can result in osteoarthritis.
  • Occupational hazards: If your job entails tasks that places continuous strain on a particular joint, you stand the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
  • Hereditary: Certain people inherit osteoarthritis because it is in their genes.

Living with Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a long-term health condition that cannot be cured, but it can be managed to prevent it from worsening and with proper care it can improve over time.

There are a number of treatments and management options you can use for osteoarthritis. They include:

  • Regular exercise
  • Weight loss (if you are overweight)
  • Using special devices to reduce strain on certain parts of your body
  • Pain medications
  • Surgery (as a last resort to strengthen or replace damaged joints)

Getting help

Because osteoarthritis cannot be completely cured, you will need some measure of professional help in order to minimize the symptoms and live a productive life.

There are a number of physiotherapy and osteopathy options that can give you the help you need. Are you battling with osteoarthritis, or do you know someone who is?  Give us a call on XXXXXXXXX for expert help today.

Osteoarthritis FAQ’s

Can you die from osteoarthritis?
Several studies have associated osteoarthritis with high mortality. It has been proven that death, as a result of any cause other than natural due to old age, is 60% higher in people with osteoarthritis. The same study suggests that death from dementia or heart disease is 70% more likely in patients with osteoarthritis. This underscores the importance of seeking professional help as soon as you begin to experience symptoms of osteoarthritis.
What happens if osteoarthritis is left untreated?
A number of complications can occur if you leave osteoarthritis untreated. Some of the complications that can occur include: bone spurs, damaged tendons and ligaments, septic arthritis, and osteonecrosis (a condition that can lead to the complete damage of bones and joints in your body).
Can osteoarthritis spread quickly?
Osteoarthritis affects people differently. In some people the condition progresses slowly and the patient will be stable for many years, going about their everyday work without experiencing difficulties. But in others, the reverse is the case, with theosteoarthritis progressing rapidly and quickly affecting the joints.
Regardless of the speed of your osteoarthritis condition, it is advisable that you seek medical counsel as soon as possible.

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