What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a disease that "degrades" the joints. It is also known as Degenerative Arthritis or Degenerative Joint Disease. A joint is the point where two bones meet. Humans have joints in the knees, hips, fingers, and other areas of the body that are used to facilitate movement. There are many types of arthritis, one of which is called osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease worldwide.
In osteoarthritis, the cartilage, which is the substance found in the joint where two bones meet and protects them by preventing them from rubbing, is damaged. This cartilage damage leads to pain and swelling and occurs when the bone begins to rub against each other.
Osteoarthritis usually develops as we age and most commonly occurs in: Knee, hip, hand, spine and foot.
Unlike other forms of arthritis, Osteoarthritis does not cause problems in other human organs. Symptoms occur only in the joints and usually manifest as pain or swelling, with the pain usually worsening towards the end of the day.
Along with pain and swelling, other possible symptoms are a local increase in temperature, stiffness in the morning and creaking of the affected joints.
Who is at risk?
There are some factors that when one shows them testify that the person is at risk of getting Osteoarthritis. These include:
Age
Osteoarthritis incidence increases with age, but in these cases, the condition occurs primarily in the knee, hip, and hands.
A significant portion of older people do not have osteoarthritis. This suggests that the condition is not necessarily a result of aging.
Gender
After the age of 50, women are more likely than men to experience symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee or hand. However, when it comes to the spine, men and women experience the condition with the same frequency.
The occurrence of the condition is more common in men under 50 years of age. After 50 years, however, the condition becomes more common in women.
Family History of Osteoarthritis
Research shows that women with a family history of osteoarthritis in the hand, hip, or knee are at increased risk of developing the condition. Men are more likely to develop osteoarthritis in the hip when they have a family history of osteoarthritis.
Obesity
The literature indicates that obesity is likely to worsen the symptoms of Osteoarthritis in a patient compared to a patient who is of normal weight.
Menopause
Research shows that Menopause is a risk factor for developing Osteoarthritis. It has not yet been determined whether this is related to the drop in estrogen that occurs during Menopause.
Muscle Weakness Around the Joint
The question remains unanswered as to whether muscle weakness causes Osteoarthritis or whether Osteoarthritis causes muscle weakness.
Long-term involvement in demanding sports or occupations that require heavy physical labor
Former track and field athletes who were involved in the Championship, soccer players and American Football players have an increased chance of developing Osteoarthritis in the knee or hip. People whose jobs require them to lean on their knees for a long time or sit for a long time in a squatting position are more likely to develop Osteoarthritis.
Acute Joint Injuries
People who have severely injured a joint are at very high risk of developing Osteoarthritis in the injured joint later in life.
Congenital Joint Deformity
An abnormal joint can lead to the development of Osteoarthritis. If the bones in the joint do not fit together properly, over time additional pressure is placed on it, which can lead to the breakdown of the joint tissue.
Other Joint Disease
People who suffer from other joint diseases such as Gout or Rheumatoid Arthritis are likely to develop Osteoarthritis as a result of the wear and tear on their joints from the pre-existing condition.
Preventing Osteoarthritis
Some of the risk factors for osteoarthritis can be modified. Prevention should focus on risk factors that a person can influence, such as maintaining a normal body weight and avoiding risky activities that put stress on the joints. Activities that put stress on the joints, especially kneeling and squatting, double the risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee.
Lifestyle
A careful and healthy lifestyle will help the patient not only maintain a stable weight, but also strengthen the muscle around the "problematic" joint. Even a small increase in body weight is capable of increasing the pressure exerted on the joints to such an extent that it is capable of worsening the symptoms of Osteoarthritis. Protect your joints during your simple daily activities. Avoid kneeling and squatting. Avoid high-heeled shoes.
Vitamin Supplements
Studies have shown that people who are deficient in vitamins C and D have experienced a faster deterioration of the disease. One study suggested that taking vitamin C supplements is able to prevent the onset of Osteoarthritis, but it did not show that this can be an effective treatment of the condition for people who already suffer from it.
Diet
Foods rich in vitamin C include peppers, fresh thyme, parsley and dark, green, leafy vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, as well as various fruits such as kiwi, papaya, oranges and strawberries.
On the other hand, vitamin D is contained in foods such as cod liver oil, cooked salmon, cooked mackerel, beef liver, sardines, egg yolk and canned tuna. Also, exposure to sunlight is a good way to get vitamin D.
Diagnosis
The various scientific communities have made progress in the diagnosis of Osteoarthritis. With this in mind, they have proposed various guidelines. The guidelines are specific and it depends on the joint as to which one will be preferred each time. In general, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, and radiographic findings are considered in order to make the diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed by evaluating either the structure of the joint using radiographic imaging, clinical symptoms, or a combination of the above.
Diagnosis can be made using X-rays. A detailed patient history and physical examination can also be used to diagnose the condition.
Careful consideration of symptoms, such as the progression of pain over time, factors that worsen it, and those that relieve it, can help with the diagnosis.
Treatment
To date, there is no way to cure damaged cartilage. For this reason, treatment for this disease focuses on reducing pain, swelling, stiffness, and educating the patient to improve their condition through a careful lifestyle.
Ways to relieve symptoms:
1) Rest
2) Exercise: swimming, walking, stationary bike
3) Applying hot packs before exercise and cold packs after it
4) Physiotherapy
5) Occupational therapy
6) Mechanical support devices
7) Pharmaceutical treatments
8) Taking painkillers
I live normally even though I have osteoarthritis!
Sufferers of osteoarthritis can have a normal life. In fact, exercise and social life will help you limit the symptoms of the disease. Treatment includes exercise, rest, maintaining ideal body weight, applying hot or cold compresses, specific pharmaceutical preparations and surgery.
The patient's support from other family members and friends is vital for the patient, so that he can mitigate the consequences of Osteoarthritis and be able to cope with his daily activities with dignity. The patient should set limitations for himself, which he can respect, always remaining committed to them and the treatment he follows. He can also help his joints by using a cane or other walking aid. He should also take steps to avoid falls.
Text editing:
Elpiniki Tsombou
Association team member
Source: IOF