Arthritis

Osteoarthritis is age related arthritis that is quite common in India. Women are more likely to have osteoarthritis than men. In osteoarthritis there is gradual loss of particular cartilage that is a natural cushion in the joints. As the disease progresses there is complete loss of particular cartilage and opposing bones come in contact with each other. This leads to pain, swelling and stiffness in the joint.

• Age:Osteoarthritis is the degenerative disease which affects elderly people. Also the ability of cartilage to heal decreases progressively as a person gets older. However age isn’t the only reason for osteoarthritis and its etiology is multifactorial.
• Weight gain:Patients who are overweight are more prone to osteoarthritis, as the articular cartilage is subjected to abnormal loading and increase stress. Reduction in weight can decrease pain and also the speed of progression of osteoarthritis.
• Exercises:Patient with osteoarthritis should do regular exercises. Exercise is effective in reducing pain and stiffness and improving mobility in patients with osteoarthritis.
• Smoking and alcohol consumption: Chronic addiction to alcohol and smoking leads to decrease healing capacity of the body and leads to accelerated osteoarthritis of joints.
• Bone deformities:Some people with congenital malformed joints are prone for arthritis and develop symptoms at early age.
• Neglected injuries: Old injuries that were neglected or were not treated correctly can result in early arthritis of the joint.
• Weight bearing jointsare more prone for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is most common in knee joint followed by hip joint.
• Osteoarthritis can cause bone growth: As the disease progresses there is osteophyte and bone spur formation that can further increase pain and stiffness in the joint.
• X ray:X ray don’t tell the complete story. Many patients will require advance investigation like MRI for detailed imaging and evaluation of joints for formulation of correct treatment plan.
• Surgery is the only fix for advance OA: In advance stages of osteoarthritis the patient can be severely disabled or bedridden. This requires surgery in form of joint replacement which is very successful and can be life changing for the patients.