OSTEOARTHRITIS
20 Apr 2019
ABSTRACT –
Osteoarthritis also known as Degenerative Arthritis is a form of Arthritis caused by the inflammation, breakdown, and eventual loss of cartilage in the joints. It is a progressive disease that can damage any joint in hands, knees, hips and spine. It occurs when protective cartilage of bones start tearing down and becomes worse with time.
CAUSES –
- Traumatic injury in a joint
- Damage in cartilage bones
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS –
- Swelling
- Bones spurs
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Loss of flexibility
- Stiffness
- Grating sensation
- Limited and slow movements
COMPLICATIONS –
- Chronic Joint Pain
- Depression
- Disturbed sleep
DIAGNOSIS –
- X-Rays
- Blood Test
- MRI Scan
- Joint Fluid Analysis
TREATMENT –
- Pain relievers
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- Physical therapy
- Occupational therapy
- Surgery
RISK FACTORS –
- Ageing
- Bone deformities
- Joint injuries
- Genetics
- Increased amount of iron in body
- Obesity
- Stress in joints
PREVENTION –
- Exercise regularly
- Lose and maintain weight
- Shoe inserts or other devices might help in reducing pain while standing or walking
EPIDEMIOLOGY –
- There is no cure for Osteoarthritis but treatment can help the individual control pain and swelling.
- It affects around 10% of males and 13% of females aged over 60 years worldwide. Hence, females are more prone to get affected than males from this condition.