What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. The cartilage, or shiny coating which covers the ends of the bones inside the joints becomes thinned and roughened. The end of each affected bone becomes thicker and grows out sideways, causing the joint to change shape. Fluid may collect inside the joint which causes swelling. The joints most commonly affected are the small joints at the ends of the fingers, the base of the thumb hips, knees, neck and lower back. Sometimes only the finger joints are involved, or one or two big joints such as the knees or hips.
What causes osteoarthritis?
No one knows what causes it. Osteoarthritis becomes more common with age, but it is not just due to normal wear and tear. Some types of osteoarthritis, such as those affecting the finger joints, tend to run in families. Some people, especially younger people, get osteoarthritis in a joint which has been previously damaged by an injury or operation.
How common is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis affects about 5 million people in the UK, but many of them only have mild symptoms. Women get osteoarthritis slightly more often than men! particularly in their knees and hands.
How will osteoarthritis affect me?
Most people continue living a normal life with their osteoarthritis and do not become disabled by it. But in some it can be very painful and disabling. The most common symptoms are pain and stiffness in and around the affected joints. The pain is usually worse after exercising or walking, and at the end of the day. Your symptoms will usually change from day to day, so even if your joints are painful today, it does not mean they will stay painful in the future. You may notice that the affected joints are swollen or out of shape and tender when you knock or touch them.
What tests will I need?
Your doctor will examine your joints and may send you for an X-ray. However, the amount of damage seen on the X-ray does not always match the amount of pain and stiffness you are getting. Most doctors will not do an X-ray unless you are likely to need an operation. There is no blood test for osteoarthritis, but a blood test can be used to rule our some other types of arthritis.
Can osteoarthritis be treated?
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but there is a lot that can be done to treat the pain and stiffness. Your doctor may recommend physiotherapy, where you can have a range of different treatments to help with the pain. The physiotherapist can also teach you exercises to increase the mobility of your joints and strengthen your muscles. Simple pain killers are usually best for the pain of osteoanthritis. Some people find anti-inflammatory creams and gels helpful when smaller joints, close to the skin surface are involved, e.g. finger joints. Anti-inflammatory tablets are often helpful when joints flare up but can have harmful side effects if taken long-term..Various alternative therapies are offered for arthritis-some of these seem to work and perhaps have fewer side effects than anti-inflammatory drugs. Click here for further information on Bowellia Commiphora cream.Removing fluid from the joint, or a joint injection can sometimes be very effective in relieving pain and inflammation.Click here for further information on joint injections.If one of your hips or knees is very badly damaged and is giving you a lot of pain, a hip or knee replacement operation will very often remove the pain and help you walk comfortably again. These operations are now common and have good results, but you may have to wait several months to have this performed on the NHS.
How can I help myself?
If you are overweight and you have osteoarthritis in a weight-bearing joint such as your hip or knee you should try to lose weight. This will help to reduce the pressure on your joints and avoid further damage.
Exercise is important to keep your joints flexible and to keep the muscles strong. Exercises that put less strain on joints such as swimming and cycling, are particularly helpful. Exercising in warm water is also effective, either in a heated swimming pool or at home in a warm bath. A physiotherapist will be able to advise you about the right exercises, but be careful not to overdo it or strain your joints.
Take action now
If you are overweight ask your doctor about a weight-reducing diet. Once you reach an ideal weight, maintain it. Take regular exercise such as swimming or walking.
Further information