"I couldn't even sleep at night because of the pain in my knees," said Sally, sharing about her osteoarthritis of the knees at AAOS.org. As a hostess in a restaurant and an active person who loved biking, tennis, walking, gardening and traveling, Sally found that her osteoarthritis had a negative impact on her life.
Sally's condition affected both knees, making it impossible for her to walk, especially up and down the stairs. The constant pain left her hunched over and limping. No longer able to exercise, she gained weight and her overall health began to deteriorate.
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease often found in the hands, knees, hips, feet and spine, according to the AAOS article. It is one of the most common forms of arthritis and occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones breaks down, resulting in a bone-on-bone contact and significant pain, loss of movement and deformity. Besides physical limitations, OA can also cause financial strain to the sufferer as treatments can be expensive, and for some patients with this condition, they may no longer be able to work.
Symptoms
Common symptoms of OA according to an article at Pain-Research.org:
- Joint pain and swelling
- Early morning stiffness
- Warmth around a joint
- Redness of the skin around a joint
- Reduced ability to move the joint
- Unexplained weight loss, fever, or weakness that occurs with joint pain
Diagnosis
Diagnosing arthritis according to the Pain Research article includes:
A physical examination may show fluid being collected around the joint known as effusion, and the affected joints may indicate limited range of motion, being painful or difficult to move in some directions. In certain forms of arthritis, for example rheumatoid arthritis, the joints may become deformed if the disease continues for too long without treatment.
Diagnostic tests vary depending on the suspected cause, and may include blood or urine tests, as well as joint X-rays. In septic arthritis or inflammation of a joint due to a bacterial or fungal infection, fluid may be removed from the joint with a needle and examined for the presence of infection.
Medication and Treatment
Many over-the-counter medications include common anti-inflammatory drugs like:
- Aspirin
- Ibuprofen
- Naproxen
Such drugs may be used to effectively control pain and inflammation in arthritis, as described in another article at Pain-Research.org.
However, these drugs need to be used with care as they have possible side effects of causing damage to the stomach lining and the kidneys.
Glucosamine and chondroitin which are known to provide naturally-occurring nutrient for forming the building blocks of cartilage may be recommended. These are available at health food stores or supermarkets without a prescription. Early studies indicate that these compounds are quite safe and may improve symptoms relating to arthritis.
Injections of liquid cortisone directly into the joint may temporarily help to relieve pain and swelling. However, it should be noted that repeated frequent injections into the same joint can damage the joint and have undesirable side effects.
If nonsurgical treatment fails to give relief, a surgery for arthritis by an orthopedist may be considered. This is the advice given in an article on arthritis treatments at Pain-Research.org.
The orthopedist and patient will choose the type of surgery by taking into account the type of arthritis, its severity, and the patient's physical condition.
Surgical procedures include:
- Removal of the diseased or damaged joint lining
- Realignment of the joints
- Total joint replacement
- Fusion of the bone ends of a joint to prevent joint motion and relieve joint pain
For professional help with osteoarthritis and joint degeneration, please consult a doctor or an orthopedic specialist.
by Singapore Health
by Singapore Health
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