Osteoarthritis

“Osteoarthritis affects around 500 million people worldwide, most commonly affecting the knee joints. This condition has the greatest effect on people, especially those aged 50 and over. Therefore, it is essential that patients need osteoarthritis treatment as soon as possible. It helps to relieve symptoms, stop joint damage, and improve quality of life. So contact our experts at Axis Clinics, and get consulted thoroughly for Osteoarthritis.” – IHME

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. The slow disintegration of the cartilage is a major link to this disease. This causes pain, swelling, and minimal movement in the joints of the people. Also, osteoarthritis has a major impact on the knees, hips, spine, and other weight-bearing structures within the joints.

Lifestyle changes and medicines are necessary to treat knee osteoarthritis. In extreme cases, knee replacement is required. Consulting experts at Axis Clinics can help you better identify your condition and the best possible osteoarthritis knee treatment. It can also prevent the condition from worsening so the patient can remain active.

How do you detect osteoarthritis early: Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Detecting osteoarthritis symptoms is essential to access treatment at the right time. Also, early detection and treatment ensure better management without facing severe consequences. Remember, symptoms of osteoarthritis can vary from one case to another mostly based on the intensity levels, as this condition tends to get worse over time.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis can limit your regular activities. You may also be restricted from performing some of the most basic tasks such as standing, bending, sitting or even walking. Osteoarthritis mostly affects large joints that bear weight such as hips, knees, lower back, and ankle. The symptoms generally range from mild pain, and discomfort to intense sensations of pain, inflammation, limited mobility, and occasional swells.

Below we will discuss some of the most common symptoms of osteoarthritis that indicate different osteoarthritis conditions –

Joint pain – This is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis. The discomfort is mostly felt while carrying a weight on the knee joints.
Swelling – Another common symptom of osteoarthritis is swelling. It happens during the fluid build-up on the joint space (cartilage).
Stiffness – A prominent soreness or stiffness after a long time of inactivity, such as a night’s sleep.
Reduced mobility – You may be limited with basic mobility. It is one of the common symptoms of osteoarthritis that prevents you from flexing or extending particular body parts due to joint stiffness.
Grinding sensation – The clicking or cracking sound produced when moving an affected joint is called grinding sensation. It is also a clear symptom of osteoarthritis.
Bone spurs – Bone spurs are an overgrowth of bone on joints. It is a very painful condition that is primarily seen in chronic osteoarthritis cases.

What is the main cause of osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis Causes and Risk Factors

Most researchers believe degeneration of cartilage is primarily responsible for osteoarthritis. However, there is more than one reason that can cause osteoarthritis conditions. Below are the most common causes, and risk factors of osteoarthritis in detail –

Age – Ageing is one of the most common causes or risk factors for osteoarthritis. Because cartilage begins to degenerate over time. So, ageing increases the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
Repetitive stress on joints – Repetitive stress on joints or overuse of joint cartilage also increases the risk of osteoarthritis.
Past injuries – A history of past joint injuries also increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Even fully healed injuries can have the same tendencies.
Obesity – Being obese or overweight also increases your chance of developing osteoarthritis as it increases stress on joints and leads to cartilage damage.
Hereditary osteoarthritis – Having osteoarthritis in a family history also increases your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Risk Factors:

Individuals above the age of fifty
The female sex (more common in women)
Physical inactivity
Existing bony or joint distortions
Inadequate muscle strength in the joints does not help support the joints optimally.

Addressing these risk factors, to some extent, can prevent or delay the onset or progression of osteoarthritis.

What are the criteria for diagnosis of osteoarthritis? Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis

Timely osteoarthritis diagnosis is the main thing to include effective treatment and managing degenerative joint disease. The doctors check the osteoarthritis symptoms, medical history, and physical state. This helps to assess the condition’s severity and represents a clear picture to them and the patient.

Early identification of osteoarthritis is necessary for the patient to get the right care. This treatment helps to ease the osteoarthritis symptoms to the extent that patients can move more easily than before. It can also lower the chance of degenerative joint disease in the joints, and increase mobility. There are some of the primary diagnostic methods doctors follow:

Assessment of the patient’s overall health
Radiographic tests to evaluate any abnormalities of the bony structures.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is used for thorough imaging of the hyaline cartilage.
Serological elements examination for differential diagnosis.
Synovial fluid examination to assess the presence of inflammation.

What is the most effective treatment for osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis Treatment Options

A patient dealing with Osteoarthritis mainly needs to manage the pain, and discomfort due to the condition. That’s why a range of conservative treatments can be used for Osteoarthritis treatment.

Firstly, you can take over-the-counter medicines for pain and inflammation relief. Moreover, heat and cold therapy also help to get rid of the pain and inflammation. Basically, the ice application helps in numbing the area, leading to pain relief, and heat application helps deal with the inflammation.

Physical therapy is also an Osteoarthritis treatment option as it focuses on strengthening the muscles around the joint to increase the support to the joint. It helps decrease the stress in the joints. The doctor may also prescribe some supplements for calcium, minerals, and vitamins.

However, in some cases, if the situation keeps getting worse, the doctor may have to go with knee preservation procedures like Regenerative ortho biologics interventions and in other cases joint replacement surgery.

Osteoarthritis Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery from osteoarthritis depends on its severity and the treatment used. In less severe cases, you can recover in a few weeks to months. Also, you may need physiotherapy, medications, and lifestyle changes for faster recovery. Moderate cases usually take 6 to 12 months of constant treatment. Severe cases that involve surgery may take 12 to 18 months.

Rehabilitation aims to restore the strength and flexibility of the muscles and joints around the diseased ones. It consists of exercise therapy, rehabilitation, and diet modification.

Rehabilitation Tips

Engage in low-impact activities such as swimming and walking.
Use warm or cold packs to ease soreness and swelling.
Keep your weight in check to avoid straining joints.
Adhere to a customized physiotherapy plan to improve movement and flexibility.

What is the best prevention for osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis Prevention Tips

Sustained joint health and the epidemiology of joint diseases are crucial in preventing osteoarthritis. Even though one cannot control age and hereditary factors. Lifestyle changes can greatly reduce the chances of getting the disease.

Owing to hereditary factors, obesity, or past trauma to the joints, primary prevention is also important to many patients. Following these tips may help keep one’s joints healthy and one’s well-being at a higher level.

Maintain Healthy Weight: Reducing excess weight helps in relieving the stress on joints, especially the knees.
Stay Active: Engaging in moderate aerobic exercises regularly helps to promote stability and flexibility around the joints.
Protect Your Joints: This means not causing too much stress in an effort or activity, which may lead to overuse.
Eat a Balanced Diet: Incorporate foods that contain omega-3 fats, calcium, and vitamin D to protect the joints.
Listen to Your Body: If the joints feel strained or hurt, do not hesitate to give it a rest.
Avoid Smoking: Joint tissue repair can be affected by smoking.

When to See a Doctor?

It is safe to presume that the patient needs osteoarthritis knee treatment if all standard interventions have been tried and symptoms such as joint pain, stiffness, or swelling have not gone away. Ignoring the issue and delaying professional care can make it worse. For diagnostic and expert care management, visit experts at Axis Clinics.

Conclusion

There is no reason for osteoarthritis to restrict your lifestyle. You should get expert treatment at Axis Clinics to ensure efficient management of the discomfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can osteoarthritis improve?

Even though osteoarthritis has no known cure, it doesn't always get worse with time. Numerous therapies are available to assist in alleviating the symptoms.

Can I live normally with osteoarthritis?

You may live an active, healthy life with osteoarthritis if you treat it at the right time.

What is end-stage osteoarthritis?

End-stage arthritis is characterized by the gradual deterioration of the cartilage between a joint's bones, which causes the bones to rub painfully against one another when the joint is moved. This causes excruciating pain along with a loss of function and mobility. Which type you have and what's causing it will determine when it starts. Osteoarthritis typically affects persons over 50 and rheumatoid arthritis strikes individuals between the ages of 30 and 60.

At what age does osteoarthritis start?

People over 55 are typically affected by osteoarthritis. However, there is no age limit or specific time frame for when it might occur.

Can osteoarthritis spread?

Although osteoarthritis may just affect one joint, it frequently spreads to additional joints. In certain situations, osteoarthritis-related discomfort in a single joint (like the ankle or knee) may cause you to stand, walk, or move differently.

What organ does osteoarthritis affect?

The complex condition known as osteoarthritis affects the bone, cartilage, meniscus, synovial tissues, tendon/ligament, and muscle in and around the entire joint.