Osteoarthritis is considered to be the most common type of arthritis. This condition affects the cartilage that is found at the end of bones and acts as a protective cushion. While osteoarthritis can affect almost any t, it’s usually found in the spine, hips, knees, and hands. For those who are wondering what is osteoarthritis, it is a degenerative t condition that develops when cartilage wears down over time, causing pain, stiffness, and swelling in the affected areas. This condition can make daily tasks more difficult and may worsen if left untreated. Understanding the early signs and causes of osteoarthritis can be crucial for managing the condition and maintaining your quality of life.
The Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
The symptoms of osteoarthritis can include:
- Pain in the affected ts during movement or afterward.
- Tenderness in the t when pressure is applied.
- A grating sensation in the t when it is being used.
- t stiffness which tends to be more noticeable when you get up or when moving after being inactive.
- A loss of flexibility, reducing the t’s range of motion.
- Extra pieces of bones, known as bone spurs which form around the t.
- Swelling that is usually caused by soft tissue inflammation.
Treatment for Osteoarthritis
The treatment for osteoarthritis can include:
- Alternative therapies such as PRP therapy or acupuncture
- Medication such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication, naproxen, or ibuprofen.
- Occupational and hand therapy Townsville which can help you to achieve your daily tasks without putting a lot of pressure on your ts.
- Physical therapy, whereby the therapist can show you how to perform exercises that can help to strengthen the muscle around the ts.
- t replacement which involves a surgeon replacing the damaged t with artificial ts.
- Injections such as cortisone which can help to relieve the pain or lubrication injections which can provide some cushioning against the t.
The Causes of Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that works as a cushion between the bones and your ts starts to deteriorate. With the ability to affect the whole t, osteoarthritis can deteriorate the tissues and cause changes in the bones.
Some of the risk factors associated with osteoarthritis include:
- Bone deformities – Anyone who is born with defective cartilage or a malformed t is at risk of osteoarthritis.
- Genetics – Osteoarthritis can be inherited and therefore be found in whole family groups.
- t issues – Injuries that occur as a result of an accident or from playing sports can cause osteoarthritis.
- Metabolic diseases – Hemochromatosis and diabetes can cause osteoarthritis.
- Obesity – Carry more body weight puts more stress on the ts. In addition to this, fat tissue creates proteins which can cause inflammation to the ts.
- Older age – The older you are, the more at-risk you are of developing this condition.
- Repeated t stress – Sports or jobs where stress is placed repeatedly on a t can cause someone to develop osteoarthritis.
- Sex – Women are much more likely to develop this condition, although it is not yet understood why.
Osteoarthritis is a particularly nasty condition, especially if it is left untreated. Taking painkillers can help, however, other treatments might be required. If you think you might have osteoarthritis please speak to your doctor. They might suggest that you undergo a few tests to determine the reason for your pain and discomfort.