The conditions that cause knee pain are common in people of all ages, however, there exists one painful condition, of knee, which is often seen in elder patients, particularly in those who are above 40 years of age. This disorder is known as osteoarthritis, and it is the most common form of arthritis, seen in millions of people across the world suffering from it in varying degrees, of knees and other joints in the bodies.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the common chronic joint disorder. A Location where two bones are connected, is called as a joint. The ends of bones are usually covered with protective layer known as cartilage. With Osteoarthritis condition, cartilage breaks down, resulting the bones within the joint to rub together, which causes stiffness, pain, & other symptoms. Moreover, Osteoarthritis is also known as degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease, & wear-and-tear arthritis.
Causes of Osteoarthritis
Joint damage is the main cause of Osteoarthritis. This injury accumulate over time, thus, age is considered as one of the main causes of joint injury resulting osteoarthritis. With the increasing age, wear and tear of joints increases results in more pain.
The following are the other causes of joint damage subsuming past joint damage, such as:
- Torn cartilage
- Ligament injuries
- Dislocated joints
Further, joint malformation, poor posture, and obesity are some of the other causes of Osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis affected areas of the body such as:
- Hands
- Knees
- Fingertips
- Hips
- Spine
The common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- Pain
- Tenderness
- Grating sensation
- Loss of flexibility
- Stiffness
- Bone spurs
- Inflammation
Osteoarthritis treatment
Based on the cause and symptoms of Osteoarthritis, respective treatment is provided for the patient. Often, few lifestyle changes, home remedies, over-the-counter (OTC) medication, would be sufficient to get relief from the Osteoarthritis symptoms.
Lifestyle changes include:
- Regular Exercise
- Heat & cold therapy
- Sufficient sleep
- Weight loss
Risk factors of Osteoarthritis
- Factors that may develop the risk of osteoarthritis are as follows:
- Older age: Risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
- Obesity or being overweight: The heavy body weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints, such as knees and hips. The more your weight, the greater your risk of Osteoarthritis.
- Sex: Women are more prone to the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Joint injuries: Injuries while playing, or while met with an accident results in the development of osteoarthritis. Even, injures occurred several years ago and seemingly healed increases the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Few occupations: If the task of your job place tedious stress on particular joint, then that may finally develop osteoarthritis risk.
- Genetics: Genetic Inheritance develops the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Bone deformities: Few individuals are born with deformed joints or defective cartilage, which also results in developing the risk of osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis prevention
The risk factors for Osteoarthritis such as age, gender, heredity can’t be controlled. But other risk factors can be controlled, to reduce the risk of Osteoarthritis. Below are few tips that helps in managing the OA risks.
- Support your body
- Control bodyweight
- Adequate rest.
- Control blood sugar levels to manage the risk of OA
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that gets worsens with the time and patients would feel difficult in performing their tasks. Thus, recognizing the symptoms of Osteoarthritis at early stage helps the patient in better managing the condition either by opting few preventive measures or life style changes or by visiting the best orthopedic at right time.