Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis in older people. It is sometimes known as degenerative joint disease because in Osteoarthritis the cartilage of the joints continues to degenerated causing pain, stiffness and swelling as bone scrapes over bone.
People often have limited movement and pain but there is no redness, heat nor does it affect the internal organs like other arthritic diseases do. Osteoarthritis is the most frequent cause of disability in older adults. It affects more men before age 45 and more women after age 45. The disease causes not only changes in the person abilities but also their lifestyle and finances.
The joints commonly affected are the knees, hips, hands and spine. Patients start to notice a difference in their comfort level as they rise to standing from a sitting position, in the morning getting out of bed or after exercise.
Warning signs of Osteoarthritis include crackling joints, stiffness after getting up from a chair or from bed in the morning, pain, swelling, and tenderness. In Osteoarthritis there isnt redness or heat from the joint.
Doctors dont have a single test that will identify this disease. They rely on several methods to identify the changes and determine a course of treatment.
They will take an indepth clinical history to determine when the symptoms started, how theyve been treated thus far and how they affect the patients lifestyle.
Doctors will also include a physical exam, x-rays and other tests. X-rays arent conclusive since most people over 65 have osteoarthritis in the joints but are not symptomatic. Blood tests can help to rule out other diseases that cause joint pain and swelling. Joint aspiration may also be performed to evaluate the fluid in the joint.
Osteoarthritis happens in the hands greater in women than men. There also appears to be a genetic factor as it seems to run in families. Medication, splinting and moist heat give patients with arthritis in their hands the most relief.
Osteoarthritis in the knees is very common since the knees are the largest weight bearing joint and therefore commonly affected. The arthritis is not symmetrical and can occur in one knee or the other but not usually both at the same time. The knee becomes stiff, swollen and painful but isnt red or hot. The pain can lead to significant disability and a disruption in the patients lifestyle.
Therapy for Osteoarthritis in the knee often includes medications, necessary weight loss, walking aids and in extreme cases a joint replacement. Over weight and obese patient have an increased rate of Osteoarthritis. Decreasing the weight load that the knees and hips carry will treat the pain and disability of the disease. In fact, people who are over weight will decrease their chances of having painful Osteoarthritis just by maintaining a healthy body weight.
Osteoarthritis in the hip can be felt as pain in the hip, knees, groin, inner thigh or buttocks. When arthritis settles in the hip it can cause stiffness, pain and severe disability. The pain limits movement and bending which makes dressing and caring for the feet a real challenge.
Patients with Osteoarthritis in the hip often respond well to medications, exercise, walking aids and in severe cases a joint replacement. Again, patients with Osteoarthritis in the hip respond very well to weight loss.
Spinal Osteoarthritis may cause numbness or weakness in the arms or legs. Patients often report relief when sleeping on a firm mattress, using back support when sitting in a chair, and warm moist heat. Exercise can be incorporated to strengthen the back and abdominal muscles.
Osteoarthritis commonly affects four different joints in the body; knees, hips, hands and spine. With the proper identification and therapy people suffering from arthritis can delay the progression and pain of the disease.
Vanessa Youngstrom, a nurse practitioner, enjoys writing and educating on health and wellness topics.
Youll find more articles at http://www.PathToYourHealth.com
Who Else Wants Osteoarthritis Pain Relief?
There is no known cure for this degenerative disease, but there are ways to achieve osteoarthritis pain relief without resorting to drugs every time. There are several things including supplements as well as the proper diet for osteoarthritis, exercises, acupuncture, etc. which can help you manage your condition and get osteoarthritis pain relief t...
Things You Wanted To Know About Osteoarthritis
Arthritis has more than 100 types, and osteoarthritis is the most common form. It is known to affect over 21 million people across the United States, which is 10 percent of the total population an astronomical figure. It is a disease of the joints, characterized by degeneration. This condition leads to the deterioration of the cartilage the cove...
A New Medieval Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis
It sounds like something out of medieval times. Using leeches to treat every disease and condition known to man. But as it turns out leeches are actually very powerful for treating a wide variety of ailments including knee osteoarthritis.Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that results in the breakdown of the cartilage between the j...
Dealing With Osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis?Osteoarthritis is perhaps the most common type of arthritis which affects most people. The condition is more prevalent among adults especially women. Also known as the wear and tear arthritis or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis involves a progressive degeneration or deterioration of a particular joint or group of joints...
Conventional Medical Treatment for Osteoarthritis
DescriptionOf the more than 100 types of arthritis, osteoarthritis is the most common, afflicting 16 million Americans. In fact, osteoarthritis is said to be the most common-and, longest historically recognized-disorder known to humankind.Osteoarthritis can affect any joint of the body, but it most commonly occurs in the fingers and weight-bearing ...
Debilitating Disease Arthritis and the Treatments of Arthritis Symptoms and Anxiety
Inflammation in the bone joints and its associated part is commonly referred as the Arthritis. The term arthritis looks in singular number though, it comprises of more than chronic 150 disorders of the rheumatoid disease. All these disorders take the full toll of the human life. Some time it confined the human body from his daily activities. At the...
The Arthritis Family
Osteoarthritis:
The most frequently encountered form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, reportedly afflicts about 16 million Americans. Osteoarthritis is more common in men in the age groups below 45 years, but tends to be more common in women in later years. Osteoarthritis involves degeneration of the cartilage to the hands, feet, knees, and hips. T...
