A health condition that provokes joint pain and stiffness is called osteoarthritis (OA). Exercise and medicines can help to lessen inflammation and pain. In this article, we will discuss osteoarthritis symptoms, causes, and treatment.
Osteoarthritis
The most common chronic condition of the joint is OA. This joint condition is also called wear-and-tear arthritis, degenerative arthritis, or joint disease. When two bones come together, cartilage breaks down. Therefore, it causes bones and joints to rub together. The protective tissue of the bones is called Cartilage. A person with this health condition experiences pain, stiffness, or other symptoms. OA may occur in different areas of the body. For example:
- Knees
- Hips
- Spine
- Shoulder
- Fingers
- Hands
Older people are more likely to develop osteoarthritis. One leading cause of disability is OA. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said that about 32.5 million people in the U.S. suffer from this condition.
Symptoms
Different symptoms may occur if an individual experiences this health condition. For example:
- Inflammation
- Discomfort or tenderness when pressing on the affected areas
- Loss of flexibility and decreased range of motion
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Bone spurs or extra lumps of bone
- Crepitus or grating, crackling, clicking, or popping sounds may appear when moving your joints
The pain may become more intense if osteoarthritis advances. Moreover, swelling in the joint surroundings may appear.
Causes
In most cases, this condition occurs due to joint damage that accumulates over time. That’s why older people are more susceptible experience this disease. Check below other causes of joint damage:
- Past injuries including dislocated joints, ligament injuries, or torn cartilage
- Joint malformation
- Obesity
- Poor posture
Additionally, some risk factors may also increase the risk of developing OA. Check below some examples:
- Family with the condition including parents or siblings
- Females have increased rates of OA than males
- According to the Arthritis Foundation, being at least 50 years old
- Menopause
- Occupation that involves heavy lifting, kneeling, climbing, and others
- Overweight or obesity
- Disease that affects your joint health including diabetes or other type of arthritis
Treatment
Treatment of OA usually depends on the severity of the symptoms and location. In most cases, lifestyle changes, over-the-counter medicines, and home remedies are enough to get relief from pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Medicines
There are different medicines that may help against osteoarthritis. Examples include:
- Oral Pain Relievers – This category of medications helps to lessen pain but not swelling. One of these medicines is Acetaminophen.
- Topical Pain Relievers – These products include gels, creams, and patches. They provide pain relief by numbing the joint area.
- Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – Ibuprofen and Naproxen and some medicines that help to decrease swelling and pain.
- Corticosteroids – Cortisone and Triamcinolone are some examples of prescription medications available in oral and injection form.
- Cymbalta – The active ingredient of this medication is Duloxetine. It is FDA-approved for the treatment of musculoskeletal pain.
Weight Management
If you are overweight can put more strain on your joints, which leads to pain. Lowering weight can help to lessen pain and other health problems including heart disease, diabetes, and others.
Sleep
Adequate sleep is advised because resting your muscles can help to decrease inflammation and swelling.
Exercise
To relieve stiffness, regular exercise is recommended. It is recommended to have 20 to 30 minutes every day. In addition, choose low-impact activities including swimming or walking.
Osteoarthritis Complications
This medical condition may provoke physical and emotional complications. Check below some physical complications:
- Sleep problems
- Weight gain
- Osteonecrosis or bone death
- Erosion of the ligaments and tendons
- Hairline fractures
- Hemarthrosis or bleeding near the joints
The loss of function may also cause anxiety and depression.
Severe Osteoarthritis
Five stages of progression from 0 to 4 that may occur if you experience OA. However, not everyone who suffers from osteoarthritis will progress to stage 4.
Additionally, those who experience severe osteoarthritis have extensive or complete loss of cartilage. Bone-on-bone friction may lead to severe symptoms. For example:
- Joint instability may occur if you experience severe osteoarthritis in your knees. A sudden lack of movement or buckling (can cause fall and injury) may occur.
- Decreased range of motion can appear due to stiffness or pain in your joints. Thus, you may not be able to move.
- Increased pain you may feel during daily activities and when you are resting.
- Elevated swelling and inflammation occur due to synovial fluid within the joint increase. Usually, this fluid helps to decrease friction while moving but in larger amounts, it can cause swelling.
Unfortunately, damage provoked by severe osteoarthritis is not reversible but treatment can help to lessen symptoms.
Natural Remedies for Osteoarthritis
There are some supplements and alternative treatment options available that help treat OA. Check below some examples:
Consult with a doctor before using any herbs or supplements for osteoarthritis. Otherwise, you may experience unpleasant results including drug interaction.
Osteoarthritis Prevention
Some of the osteoarthritis factors you cannot change such as heredity and age. In any case, other risk factors can be controlled and managed. Check below some tips:
- Support your body – In case you are an athlete, use special supports and shoes. This will help to prevent further impact on your knees.
- Moderate weight – It is recommended to maintain in the appropriate range your body mass.
- Nutritious diet – healthy foods, fruits, and vegetables can help to decrease the symptoms and prevent OA.
- Enough sleep – adequate sleep and rest are important for your body.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is osteoarthritis a curable health condition?
No, this condition does not have a cure but a lot of treatment options are available. They will help you to lessen the symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness, and others. It is important early diagnosis of the condition because the sooner you begin the treatment, the sooner will improve your quality of life.
What are the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis?
There are some distinctive symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. Examples include:
- Stiffness
- Swelling near a joint
- Feeling like a joint is not strong or stable
- Joint pain, especially while moving
In case you have any questions, ask a healthcare provider.
What food should I avoid if were diagnosed with osteoarthritis?
Choose healthy foods if you suffer from OA. Check below some examples of foods that you should avoid:
- Red meat and fried foods
- Cheese
- High-fat dairy
- Alcohol
- Sugar
- Omega-6 fatty acids
- Processed foods including baked goods, snacks, and others.
Discuss with your healthcare professional for more details.
