Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis gradually worsens over time. But the treatment of osteoarthritis can relieve pain and help maintain operations. Proactive management of osteoarthritis may help control the symptoms.

 

Define

Osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative joint disease or degenerative osteoarthritis (osteoarthrosis), is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage in the joints decreases over time.

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, the most common disorder that affects the joints:

Hand.

Hips.

Knees.

Joint.

Lumbar spine.

Osteoarthritis gradually worsens over time. But the treatment of osteoarthritis can relieve pain and help maintain operations. Proactive management of osteoarthritis may help control the symptoms.

The symptoms

Osteoarthritis Symptoms usually develop slowly and worsen over time. The signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

Pain. It may hurt joints during and after moving. Joints may feel pain when pressure.

Hard. Joint stiffness can most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity.

Loss of flexibility. There may not have the ability to move joints full range of motion of it.

Feeling. Can hear or feel a sense of the movement.

Add bones. The bones more units feel like hard lumps, may form around the affected joint.

Go see a doctor if

If swollen or stiff in the joints that lasts more than two weeks, make an appointment with your doctor. If medication for osteoarthritis, contact your doctor if   may experience side effects such as:

Nausea.

Abdominal discomfort.

Black or tarry stool like.

Constipation.

Drowsiness.

Cause

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage cushions the bones in the joints deteriorate over time. The smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough, irritating. Eventually, if the cartilage can completely deflated bone on bone - bones   become damaged and the joints become painful.

Not clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. The researchers suspect that it's a combination of factors, including:

The process of aging.

Injury or stress.

Inheritance.

Cipher.

Obesity.

Risk Factors

These factors increase the risk of osteoarthritis include:

Age. Osteoarthritis usually occurs in older people. People under 40 rarely osteoarthritis.

Gender. Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, although it is not clear why.

Deformed bones. Some people are born with deformed or defective cartilage, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Injury. Trauma, such as occur when playing sports or from an accident, can increase the risk of osteoarthritis.

Obesity. Body weight more than stress the joints, such as knees.

Some professions. If job duties include taking place repeated stress, which can last joint development of osteoarthritis.

Other diseases. Rheumatoid arthritis, gout, Paget disease of bone or septic arthritis can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis.

Complications

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease worsens over time. Joint pain and stiffness may become severe. Some people are no longer able to work. When joint pain is severe, doctors typically recommend joint replacement surgery.

Tests and diagnosis

In addition to the clinical examination, the doctor may also recommend the following tests.

Image

X - rays. X - ray images of the affected joint may reveal a narrow space just off the cartilage is destroyed. X - rays can also show bone spurs. However, many people have "X - ray evidence" of osteoarthritis before experiencing any symptoms.

Magnetic resonance images (MRI). MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of bones and soft tissues, including cartilage. This can be useful in determining exactly what is causing the pain

Experimental trials

Blood tests. Blood tests can help rule out other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Analysis of the fluid. The doctor may use a needle to draw fluid from the affected joint. Inspection and testing of fluid from the joint can determine if there is inflammation and if the pain caused by gout or infection.