OsteoArthritis Is Very Common
Osteoarthritis News:Osteoarthritis HelpCleveland Clinic News Service 2 min - Mar 28, 2007 People suffering from Osteoarthritis are getting help from an unlikely source. And Cleveland Clinic researchers want to know if it will help other parts of the body. Sharon Dennis reports Read more... |
OsteoArthritis is a very common form of arthritis that occurs when the cartilage breaks down. Cartilage is a tough elastic material that protects as well as covers the ends of bones, and if some bits break off, they cause pain as well as swelling in the joint between the bones (also known as inflammation). As people grow older, the cartilage can get worn down completely causing the bones to rub together, and OsteoArthritis is able to affect any joint, though most often, it is the hips, knees, spine as well as hands that are affected most.
OsteoArthritis may also be classified as a non-inflammatory arthritis, which will initially not cause inflammation, but with progression, does cause a certain amount of inflammation.
Can Lead To Other Problems As Well
OsteoArthritis may also lead to other problems including weakening the muscles that hold the joint in place, and the loss of shape of the joints. It is known to affect men and women equally, and occurs around the age of forty-five, though it may also occur at any age.
There are certain warning signs indicating the presence of such a condition that include pain, stiffness as well as swelling around the joint that goes on for more than two weeks, and also experiencing persistent pain in the joints which may necessitate a visit to a doctor for diagnosis and further treatment.
OsteoArthritis symptoms are slow to appear and occur around the joint area, and damage is noticeable slowly over time that can lead to several problems. It is often noted that there is a grating sound when the roughened cartilage of the bone's surface rubs together, and there may also be bumps or swelling, mostly on the fingers and feet.
With persistent joint pain occurring, patients need to consult a physician and describe in detail the pain, including where it occurs and when. X-rays are most useful in confirming this condition even though the exact cause of such conditions is yet to be fully understood. However, with advancing age, the chances of getting OsteoArthritis increase as does being overweight, which causes more unwanted stress to joints such as the hip and knees.
As scientists continue to grapple with the problem of understanding what causes OsteoArthritis, and with more research being conducted, there is sufficient evidence for them to conclude that heredity, excess weight, joint damage from another type of arthritis as well as injury are major risk factors contributing to such a condition.
It's necessary to establish the correct diagnosis as that will help to manage OsteoArthritis, as most therapies when started early, will work best to control the disease. There are many treatments that help lessen pain and stiffness as well as facilitating easier movement, and the active involvement of the patient to the prescribed treatment plan would be beneficial as well.
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