OSTEOARTHRITIS INFORMATION SHEET
Please also see our pages related to Osteoarthritis of specific joints
Hip Osteoarhtritis
Knee Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common disease affecting joints, it is basically a degeneration or wear and tear of the joint.
These damages can be seen on an Xray, but the changes seen and the amount of pain you feel do not always correlate.
Almost any joint can be affected - the most common are the knee, hip and spine. The changes that occur in the joint(s) affected are :
1. Progressive destruction of the articular (or joint) cartilage. The functions of the cartilage include acting as a shock absorber and to help nutrition of the joint surfaces. The cartilage can begin to flake and a mild inflammatory process begins.
2. New bone forms at the edges of the joints which can be quite rough (called osteophytes).
3. The joint space becomes narrower allowing less space between the bones for movement.
4. The lining of the joint may thicken.
5. Surrounding muscles may become affected and over a period of time weaken.
What causes OA ?
The cause of GA is not clear, but appears to be premature ageing and may be associated with certain recognised factors such as: -
- obesity which puts extra stress on weight-bearing joint
- after trauma - e.g. an old injury or fracture
- family history
- overuse of the joint - certain occupations are more at risk of some forms of OA
- faulty development which can put excessive stress on small areas of a joint
- inflammation
- infection of the joint in the past
- metabolic conditions - such as gout which can effect the joint
- neuropathic conditions such as diabetes
- hormonal or endocrine disorders
Symptoms you may report
- Pain is the most common symptom - it is usually dull and aching with sharpness on sudden movement. Walking and other weight bearing activities can worsen your pain. Also a prolonged rest can increase stiffness and cause pain as you start to move.
- Stiffness, especially on waking in the morning
- Joint deformity, due to changing shape of bones and muscle spasm
- Muscle wasting, especially the quadriceps muscle at the front of the thigh, as a result they come weaker and tire sooner
- Crepitus, or creaking of the joints, as a result of the irregular joint surface
Because GA cannot be cured, you must try to minimise its effect on your lifestyle. Some points to remember are : -
- Find the right balance between exercise and rest
- Use a stick to reduce the stress on the joints when weight-bearing
- Do your exercises daily, 10-15 minutes is all that is needed
- Heat is useful to help relieve pain and to relax the muscles around the joint
- If swelling is a problem, an ice pack may be more effective than heat
- Sit in an appropriate chair - firm and not too low
- Talk to your doctor about your medication - there are a number of different drugs that may help
- Let your doctor know if your condition is getting worse
- Think about your posture, and the position your body is in to minimise stress on your joints during everyday activities
- If you are overweight, consider a diet - obesity puts extra stress on the joints
Please also see our pages related to Osteoarthritis of specific joints
Hip Osteoarhtritis
Knee Osteoarthritis