Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most
common form of arthritis,
affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage
that cushions the ends of your bones wears down over time.
Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint,
the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
In normal joints, a firm, rubbery material
called cartilage covers the end of each bone. Cartilage provides a smooth,
gliding surface for joint motion and acts as a cushion between the bones. In
OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the
joint. As OA worsens over time, bones may break down and develop growths called
spurs. Bits of bone or cartilage may chip off and float around in the joint.
Symptoms
· Pain. Affected joints might
hurt during or after movement.
· Stiffness. Joint stiffness might
be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.
· Tenderness. Your joint might feel
tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
· Loss of flexibility. You might not be able
to move your joint through its full range of motion.
· Grating sensation. You might feel a
grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or
crackling.
· Bone spurs. These extra bits of
bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.
· Swelling. This might be caused
by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.
Risk Factors
· Older age. The risk of
osteoarthritis increases with age.
· Sex. Women are more likely
to develop osteoarthritis
· Obesity. Carrying extra body
weight contributes to osteoarthritis in several ways, and the more you weigh,
the greater your risk. Increased weight adds stress to weight-bearing joints
· Joint injuries. Injuries, such as
those that occur when playing sports or from an accident, can increase the risk
of osteoarthritis
· Repeated stress on
the joint. If
your job or a sport you play places repetitive stress on a joint, that joint
might eventually develop osteoarthritis.
· Genetics. Some people inherit a
tendency to develop osteoarthritis.
· Bone deformities. Some people are born
with malformed joints or defective cartilage.
· Certain metabolic
diseases. These
include diabetes and a condition in which your body has too much iron
(hemochromatosis).

Treatment
While no treatment can reverse the damage
of OA, some can help relieve symptoms and maintain mobility in the affected
joints.
Physical therapy
Various types of physical
therapy may help, including:
Transcutaneous electrical nerve
stimulation (TENS): A TENS unit
attaches to the skin with electrodes. Electrical currents then pass from the
unit through the skin and overwhelm the nervous system, reducing its ability to
transmit pain signals.
Thermotherapy: Heat and cold may help reduce pain and
stiffness in the joints. A person could try wrapping a hot water bottle or an
ice pack in a towel and placing it on the affected joint.
Manual therapy: This involves a physical therapist
using hands-on techniques to help keep the joints flexible and supple.
Exercise and weight control:
· maintaining mobility and range of movement
·
improving strength and muscle
tone
·
preventing weight gain
·
building up muscles
·
reducing stress
·
lowering the risk of other
conditions, such as cardiovascular disease
