OSTEOARTHRITIS

Arthritis is inflammation (swelling) of the joints which causes pain and often limits the movement of the joints that are affected. Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis which is often called degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis because it causes the cartilage between the bones to deteriorate. Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in the hands, hips, and knees. This leads to stiffness, pain and joint swelling which gradually increases over time.

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis include:

• A decreased range of motion
• Pain or aching in the joint
• Rigidity in the joint after sleeping

Causes:

The exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. It may be genetic, however, enclosed is a list of the most common factors:

• Age: It is more common among older people because they have been using their joints longer
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis compared to men, especially after the age of 50
• Job: Work that involves repetitive movement leads to a higher risk
• Weight: Excess weight can make arthritis worse in the knees, hips and spine
• Athleticism: Athletes are at risk because they use their joints a lot
• Injuries: Joint injuries can increase the risk of arthritis

Diagnosis:

The physiotherapist will ask you questions about your pain. He or she will probably ask you about your patterns of pain. For example, the physiotherapist may ask you when does your pain get worse. The physiotherapist may also ask to see an x-ray of your affected joints.

Prevention:

There’s not much you can do to avoid getting osteoarthritis as you age. The following may help:

• Maintain an appropriate body weight
• Avoid jobs or activities that require repetitive movements
• Do strength-training exercises
• Try to not overuse your joints

Treatment:

There is no cure for osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a progressive disease and therefore, it will get worse over time. However, don’t loose hope! With the right treatment plan made by a Physiotherapist you can continue to stay active, protect your joints from damage, limit injury, and control your pain.

For more information about Arthritis Call us now or Book Online at PhysioExperts!