Do your joints hurt too? Let's talk about osteoarthritis!

Do you also feel a little stiff in your joints when you wake up in the morning? Or do you feel pain in your knees and hips when you climb stairs or stand for a while? These can be common symptoms of osteoarthritis , a condition that many people develop with age. Don't worry, let's talk about this in detail .

What exactly is Osteoarthritis?

Simply put, osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis . Arthritis is a condition that affects your joints. Sometimes doctors call it 'degenerative joint disease'. This happens because the cartilage inside your joints, which is like a soft cushion that keeps two bones from rubbing together, wears down over time. This causes the bones to rub against each other when you use a joint.

Think of it this way: the ends of the bones in our joints are covered with a layer of smooth, strong cartilage. This cartilage is like a shock absorber in a car. It also acts as a lubricant to keep the joint moving smoothly. So when this cartilage wears down, that protection is lost and the bones start to rub against each other. This is what happens in osteoarthritis.

Although this condition can affect any joint, it most commonly occurs in:

• To the joints of your hands .
• To the knees .
• To the hip bones .
• Cervical Spine.
• The vertebrae in the lower back are called the `(Lumbar Spine)`.

Are there main types of osteoarthritis?

Yes, a doctor can divide osteoarthritis into two main types:

1. Primary Osteoarthritis: This is the most common type. Experts believe that it develops over time due to normal wear and tear on the joints as you use them throughout your life. To be precise, it is something that comes on gradually with age.

2. Secondary Osteoarthritis: This occurs when there is a direct injury to your joint, causing osteoarthritis. Think of it as a sports injury, a fall, or a car accident. Other types of arthritis can also cause damage to the cartilage in your joints.

How common is this osteoarthritis?

This is actually a more common condition than you might think. Experts say that more than 80% of people over the age of 55 have osteoarthritis. But some people may have it without showing any symptoms. Those who have symptoms, meaning pain and stiffness, account for about 60% of people with osteoarthritis.

What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

If you're feeling these things, it could be osteoarthritis symptoms:

• Joint pain: Especially when moving the joint, such as when doing work. Imagine, your knee hurts when you get up from a chair.
• Joint stiffness: A feeling of stiffness in the joint, either when you first wake up in the morning or after moving around after being in the same position for a while.
• Swelling near a joint.
• The inability to bend or extend a joint properly (reduced range of motion).
• The joint is not as strong as it used to be, it feels unstable.
• Joint deformity . Sometimes the joints of the fingers may appear enlarged.

Why do we get osteoarthritis?

Experts still don't know the exact cause. Primary osteoarthritis usually develops slowly with age. As we age, the normal wear and tear of the joints can cause cartilage to break down.

Also, anything that directly damages your joints can cause osteoarthritis. For example:

• Injuries while playing sports.
• Falls.
• Car accidents.
• Some medical conditions that affect the joints, for example, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or joint hypermobility syndrome.

Osteoarthritis can also be caused by other types of arthritis, especially inflammatory arthritis . Examples:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Psoriatic arthritis

Who is at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis?

Anyone can develop osteoarthritis, but people over the age of 55 and postmenopausal women are more likely to develop the condition.

Additionally, people with certain health conditions are also at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis:

• Severe obesity (Body Mass Index (BMI)) over 30) or overweight (BMI over 25). This is because as weight increases, the pressure on the joints increases.
• Diabetes.
• High cholesterol levels in the blood (Hyperlipidemia).
• Some autoimmune diseases that affect the joints.

How does a doctor diagnose osteoarthritis?

A doctor will confirm this by doing a physical exam and some imaging tests. He or she will look at your joints and ask you questions about when you first started having symptoms, how often they get worse, and whether they get better. You can also describe your symptoms in detail.

What kind of tests are done?

Your doctor may take X-rays and pictures of your joints. Sometimes, they may also order an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) or CT (Computed Tomography) scan . These can look at things like the extent of cartilage wear in the joint and changes in the bones.

You may also need to have blood tests to check for other conditions that may have similar symptoms.

What are the treatments for osteoarthritis?

Your doctor can help you find treatments that can help control your osteoarthritis symptoms. The important thing to understand is that arthritis cannot be completely cured , and it is not possible to regrow worn-out cartilage. However, there are many things you can do to manage your symptoms and make your life easier.

The most commonly used treatments are:

• Medication:
• Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers can help reduce pain and swelling.
• Sometimes oral medications, topical pain relievers, and creams, ointments, and plasters applied to the skin near the joint can be prescribed.
• Exercise:
• Moving your joints can help reduce stiffness and strengthen the muscles around the joint, which increases the support provided to the joint.
• Low-impact exercises that don't put too much pressure on the joints, such as swimming, water aerobics, and weight training, are very good.
• Your doctor may also refer you to a physical therapist who will teach you appropriate exercises.
• Supportive devices:
• Special shoe inserts or a brace can help stabilize the joint.
• For some people, using a cane or walker can help reduce pressure on joints and help them move around safely.
• Heat and cold therapies:
• Applying something warm (such as a hot water bottle or heating pad) or an ice pack or cool compress to the affected joint can help reduce pain and stiffness. Your doctor will tell you how long and how often to do this.
• Complementary therapy:
• These are things that can be done in conjunction with other treatments, such as acupuncture, massage, meditation, and Tai Chi.
• Also, some people are tempted to use certain vitamins and dietary supplements. However, you should definitely talk to your doctor before starting anything new.
• Surgery:
• Most people do not need surgery for osteoarthritis. However, if symptoms are severe and other treatments have not helped, your doctor may recommend surgery.
• You may also need to have joint replacement surgery (Joint Replacement / Arthroplasty) . Your doctor or surgeon will explain this to you.

What should I expect if I have osteoarthritis?

People with osteoarthritis often have to manage their symptoms for the rest of their lives. Your doctor can help you find the right combination of treatments for you.

The most important thing is to stay as active as you can. If you can't move around or do anything useful because of joint pain and other symptoms, you may be at increased risk of developing other serious health problems, such as heart disease, diabetes, and some types of cancer.

So, if osteoarthritis is making it difficult for you to stay active, talk to your doctor about it. He or she can help you find new treatments or make changes to your current treatments.

How can we prevent the development of osteoarthritis?

The best way to prevent osteoarthritis is to maintain good overall health. That means:

• Avoiding the use of tobacco products.
• Doing low-impact exercises that put less stress on the joints .
• Following a healthy diet that suits you.
• Always wear a seatbelt when riding in a vehicle.
• Wearing appropriate safety equipment when doing any activity, sport, or job.
• See a doctor regularly for checkups and tell your doctor immediately if you notice any changes in your joints.

What can I do to make living with osteoarthritis easier?

Living with osteoarthritis can be a little easier if you make some changes to your daily routine. Depending on when you have symptoms and how severe they are, you may need to stop doing certain activities for a while or do them differently.

If you're having trouble doing your daily tasks, you may want to work with an occupational therapist . Occupational therapists are healthcare professionals who help you manage physical challenges like arthritis. They may recommend things like:

• Adaptive equipment, such as grips, makes it easier to open containers.
• Ways to do hobbies, sports, or other activities safely.
• Tips to reduce joint pain when arthritis pain increases.

When should I see a doctor?

If you notice any symptoms of osteoarthritis, see a doctor as soon as possible. Even mild joint pain that doesn't go away in a few days may require treatment.

Although cartilage damage (`degeneration`) that has already occurred cannot be repaired, once osteoarthritis treatment begins, further damage within the joint can be slowed .

If you feel that your symptoms are coming on more often or are worse than before, talk to your doctor. If you feel that your current treatment is not working as well as it used to, ask your doctor about other treatments or changes to your current treatment.

What questions should I ask my doctor?

• Do I have osteoarthritis, or another type of arthritis?
• Which of my joints has this affected?
• What kind of treatment do I need?
• Will I need surgery?
• Would working with a physical therapist or occupational therapist help me?

At what age does osteoarthritis usually begin?

Osteoarthritis most often affects people over the age of 55. However, there is no set timeline or age limit for it to develop. Also, unlike some diseases, it doesn't start all at once. There is usually no starting point where a doctor can say, "This is when it started."

It can take a long time for the cartilage in the affected joints to wear away before symptoms like pain and stiffness appear. So, even if you first started experiencing symptoms around age 55, that doesn't mean that osteoarthritis started right away.

Finally, things to remember (Take-Home Message)

Osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage in your joints wears down. Without that smooth, slippery "shock absorber," your joints can become stiff, painful, or feel like they're rubbing together when you use them.

The best thing to do for osteoarthritis is to see a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms. Especially if it's interfering with your normal activities. You'll likely have to manage your symptoms for a long time. But your doctor can help you find a combination of treatments that will help you stay active and keep your joints safe and strong. Don't worry, with proper management, you can live a good life!

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