Osteoarthritis is also referred to as Degenerative Joint Disease and OA. It is a joint disease that is often seen as the degradation of Joints. It also falls under the general category of – Arthritis
Cartilage and subchondral bone are often involved. Often cartilage protects the bone and when it is gone, subchondral bone is exposed and damaged. Loss of muscle mass [atrophy] may result because lack of use.
Inflammation may be seen but it is not a principal feature of this disease.
But this disease must not be confused with Rheumatoid Arthritis which is an autoimmune disease
Joints Affected:
1.) Hands
2.) Feet
3.) Spine
4.) Hips
5.) Knees
6.) Fingers
7.) Toes
8.) Others
Symptoms
– Joint pain
– Stiffness
– Worsening pain when cold
– Tenderness
– Creaking [crepitus]
– Locking of joints
– Pain with movement
– Difficulty walking
Heberden’s nodes and Bouchard’s nodes – which are nodes in the joints of the fingers can be seen
Timeline
– Often seen in “older” men and women
– OA takes time to develop
– Affects 27 million Americans
– Affects 8 million in United Kingdom
– On average 80% of people will have finding by age 65
– Only 60% will have symptoms
Types
1.) Primary
– Chronic degenerative disorder
– Age may be related
– Some older individuals may have no arthritis
2.) Secondary
– Causes are secondary to the disease
– Resulting is the same for Primary
– Resulting from injury to obesity and others
Causes or Relations
– Mechanical stress on joints
– Congenital causes
– Pathogenic causes
– Overweight
– Loss of muscle strength supporting joints
– Injury
– Trauma
– Related to Aging
– Inflammation diseases
– Genetic relation
Diagnosis
– Labs are nor specific and are not accepted for diagnostic purposes
– Clinical examination is essential
– Confirmation is done through X-rays
– In some cases, CT or MRI may be helpful to determine severity and treatment options.
Treatment
1.) Lifestyle Changes or Modifications
– Weight control
– Appropriate sleep and rest
– Exercise
– Walking and Swimming are recommended
– Devices to help with mechanical movement
– Knee braces and other braces
– Heat and cold packs as needed
2.) Exercise, Stretching and professional visits
– Physical therapists
– Occupational therapists
– Chiropractors
– *** each may be beneficial in teaching stretching and exercise techniques
Improvement can be seen in:
– Gait
– Functionality
– Strength
– Decreased pain
– and others
3.) Medication
. Tylenol [Paracetamol]
. Ibuprofen
. Other NSAIDs
. Celebrex [celecoxib]
. Oral Steroids
. Opioid medications in severe cases
. Topical treatment as well – Creams and lotions
4.) Surgery
– Joint replacement may be helpful
5.) Alternative
– Acupuncture
– Glucosamine/Chondroitin
– Ginger
– Bromelain
– Vitamin B9 and B12
– Others