What is Osteoarthritis (OA)?
What is Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs most often in older people. This disease affects the tissue covering the ends of bones in a joint (cartilage). In a person with osteoarthritis, the cartilage becomes damaged and worn out causing pain, swelling, stiffness and restricted movement in the affected joint. Osteoarthritis may affect all joints however the hips, knees and spine are probably the cause of most pain and disability.
What Cause Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is characterised by damaged articular cartilage, the lining of your joints. Advanced age is one of the most common reasons for osteoarthritis of the hip and knee. You may also develop osteoarthritis if you had an injury to the hip or knee joint or fracture in the past, or if you have family history of osteoarthritis.
What Are Your Options?
Proven nonsurgical treatment options for osteoarthritis include medications such as paracetamol and antiinflammatories, weight reduction (particularly for knee OA) and physical therapy to strengthen the supporting muscles. Injections of cortisone, and other preparations can help alleviate symptoms for a short time.
Surgery may be required to treat arthritis if your symptoms do not get better with non operative treatments. Surgery performed for arthritis includes arthroscopy, arthroplasty or joint replacement, and arthrodesis or fusion.
What Are Your Success Factors?
Although there is no cure for arthritis, you can take steps to significantly alleviate your symptoms. Successful treatment of arthritis depends on getting an early diagnosis, the type of arthritis, your general health, cooperation with the treatment plan and making positive lifestyle changes.
What Do I Do Next?
If you think you have symptoms of arthritis, it is prudent to get it evaluated and treated before your condition progresses to permanent joint damage and disability. You can visit your general practitioner, an orthopaedic surgeon or a rheumatologist who specialises in arthritis and bone and joint health.
