Causes and risk factors
Every form of arthritis is caused due to wear and tear or degeneration of the cartilages over the time. Hyaline cartilage is the tissue found on many joint surfaces. This cartilage remains in a balance state due to the process of detoretriation and revival. However excess of degeneration causes osteoarthritis. Osteoporosis is the major causative factor for osteoarthritis. Certain factors which can predispose osteoarthritis are mechanical injury, obesity, poor strength of muscles and injury to the surrounding nerves. Certain metabolic diseases like diabetes can also evoke osteoarthritis.
Clinical presentation:
Symptoms develop gradually. The most common joints affected are knee and hip joint. However other joints can also be affected. Pain in joint, swelling and stiffness is the prominent features. Pain may vary from person to person. It can be mild or severe. Difficulty in movement like walking, standing, sitting is experienced by the patient. Formations of nodes on small joints are seen. Muscle weakness, malaise and tenderness are also present. Gradually over a period of time non responsive or untreated patients develop deformities. The pain and stiffness caused can hamper the day to day activity thus making the person feel irritable and depressed. Over time if neglected or not treated properly the affected joint and its surrounding structures will deteriorate. In some cases the person can be rendered completely to bed due to inability to walk.
Investigations:
Diagnosis is done of the basis of the symptoms narrated by the patient and the physical examination carried out by the orthopedic doctor. Certain physical tests are carried out. Synovial fluid examination and serum osteoclastin test is the diagnostic. Certain investigations which can be done are X-ray, MRI or CT scan, of the affected joint along with Dexa scan are done.Routine blood test and a profile of specialized blood test are done to differentiate the type of arthritis.
Treatment:
Change in lifestyles is necessary to correct the pain. Weight reduction in obese, adequate rest, correction of wrong postures and regular exercises needs to be adopted. Wearing of braces and supports to hold the joint in alignment during movement, cold and hot compressions along with medications can be advised. Non steroidal anti inflammatory drugs (NSAID), steroids, DMARDS (Diseases modifying anti rheumatic drugs) and pain relieving drugs are prescribed. In severe cases corticosteroid injections and topical pain relieving gels and lubricants are advised. Patients who are not responding to medications and with underlying causes as degeneration of the knee joint etc are treated with surgical intervention. i.e. the affected joint replacement is done.
Other Modes of treatment:
Certain other modes of treatment can also be helpful in coping up the symptom. Taking into consideration the symptoms in holistic way, homoeopathy can offer a good aid for the relief of the symptoms. The Ayurvedic system of medicine which uses herbs and synthetic derivates can also be beneficial in combating the complaints. Acupuncture which is the science of insertion of fine needles on the certain stimulating spots on the body has proved to be effective. Certain yoga exercises can also be helpful in relieving the pain and strengthening the muscles.
Recent updates:
Researchers from the Arthritis Research UK Pain Centre at The University of Nottingham have discovered a new way to block the chronic and often debilitating pain affecting osteoarthritis .In a new study, scientists studied a protein (‘receptor’) called TRPV1, which is produced by nerve cells in the human body that are responsive to pain, including those that respond to stimulation of joints.
