OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA):
Osteoarthritisis is a disease of the cartilaginous tissues in the joints. Cartilage is the smooth white material that lines and cushions joints. Without cartilage, bones would grind together. Osteoarthritis affects the hands most often, but it also affects the hips, knees, back, neck, and feet. You are more likely to have OA if you have injured a joint, if you have a family member with OA, or if you are over forty-five (45) years of age.
Osteoarthritis, or degenerative joint disease, is the most common type of arthritis. It is associated with the breakdown of a joint's cartilage. Cartilage is a firm, rubbery material that covers and cushions the ends of bones in normal joints. Its main function is to reduce friction in the joints and serve as a "shock absorber." Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in a joint to become stiff and lose its elasticity, making a joint more susceptible to damage. Over time, the cartilage may wear away in some areas, greatly decreasing its ability to act as a shock absorber. As the cartilage wears away, tendons and ligaments stretch and cause pain. If the condition worsens, the bones could rub against each other, resulting in even more pain and loss of movement. OA is most common in middle-aged and older people, and its symptoms can range from very mild to very severe. The disorder most often affects hands and weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, feet and the back, but OA can affect almost any joint in the body. Women are more commonly affected than men.
- Joint aching and soreness, especially with movement
- Pain after overuse or after long periods of inactivity
- Bony enlargements, painful or not, in the middle and end joints of the fingers
- Pain and stiffness in a joint that feels warm and stiff
- Difficulty making a fist or working with your hands
- Swelling in the joints, either very mild or severe and disabling
- Intermittant pain which often worsens over time
Causes of Osteoarthritis:
Many factors can increase a person's chance of developing OA, including:
- Obesity - Maintaining an ideal weight or losing excess weight may help prevent osteoarthritis of the knees and hips. Weight loss or maintenance also can decrease OA's rate of progression once the disease is established.
- Injury - People who have had a broken bone near a joint are prone to develop osteoarthritis in that joint. People with joint injuries due to sports, work-related activity, or accidents may be at increased risk of developing OA. For example, athletes with knee-related injuries may be at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis of the knee. In addition, people who have had a severe back injury may be predisposed to develop osteoarthritis of the spine.
- Heredity - Some people have an inherited defect in one of the genes responsible for making cartilage. This causes defective cartilage which, in turn, leads to more rapid deterioration of joints. People born with joint abnormalities are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, and those born with an abnormality of the spine (such as scoliosis, a curvature of the spine) are more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the spine.
- Joint Overuse: Overuse of certain joints increases the risk of developing OA. For example, people in jobs which require repeated bending of the knee are at increased risk for developing OA of the knee.
- Age: Although age is a risk factor, research has shown that OA is not an inevitable part of aging.
Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis:
Doctors make a diagnosis of OA based upon a physical exam and a history of symptoms. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is based on a combination of the following factors:
- A description of symptoms
- The location and pattern of pain
- Physical examination findings
- X-rays may confirm a diagnosis and ascertain that no other type of arthritis is present. Most people over age 60 reflect the disease on X-ray, but about only a third of patients have actual symptoms.
- Blood tests may be administered. While blood tests cannot point to anything in particular to help a doctor confirm the presence of OA, the tests can help the doctor determine the presence of a different type of arthritis.
If fluid has accumulated in the body's joints, the doctor may remove some of the fluid with a process called joint aspiration. This fluid is then examined under a microscope to rule out other diseases.
- Diagnose OA by asking about your symptoms, performing a physical exam, and possibly ordering diagnostic scans or tests.
- Order pain relievers, either prescription or over-the-counter e.g., acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, or Nuprin), or naproxen (Aleve)
- Administer injections into the joints (of glucocorticoids) or advise surgery, if the condition is severe
- Active Release Techniques® (ART®), Physical Therapy or Chiropractic Therapy
What You Can Do:
The treatment of OA focuses on decreasing pain and improving joint movement. You can take action to feel better.
- Get ART® treatments as soon as possible.
- Exercise because the right kind of exercise can slow down the disease. Exercise frequently for a short time rather than exercising only once in a while for a long time. Exercise is very important in keeping the cartilage from breaking down and causing more stiffness and pain.
- Use heat on joints before exercise for fifteen to twenty (15-20) minutes.
- Use ice on joints after exercise for fifteen to twenty (15-20) minutes.
- Protect your joints from injury and stress.
- Avoid using tools that vibrate.
- Lose weight, if you are overweight, because extra weight is hard on joints.
- Soak your hands in warm water and bend your fingers to help the stiffness.
- Use Parrifin Baths to help with circulation.
- Use a walker or cane if necessary.
- Talk to your doctor about side effects from long-term use of pain medicines, including "NSAIDs" which especially effect the digestive system and kidneys.
- Contact your doctor if your pain gets a lot worse, if joints "lock up," or if tissue around and over the joints becomes warm or red.
