Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease marked by the breakdown and loss of cartilage. Cartilage is vital because this slippery tissue prevents bones from scraping against each other when you move. So, osteoarthritis eventually causes a bone on bone rub, resulting in joint pain and swelling symptoms.
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease, frequently impairing bone junctures in your fingers, knees, hips or spine. And osteoarthritis differs from other forms of arthritis in that it only degenerates joints and not any other body part.
In addition to joint swelling pain symptoms, your osteoarthritis may also cause:
- adjacent muscle weaken
- feel joint grating with motion
- reduction, loss of joint motion
- joint pain escalates after inactivity
- humidity caused joint pain, swelling
- joint pain worsens with weight bearing
- inability to move your degenerated joint
- pain & swelling may be present even at rest
Over time, your joint can become permanently damaged. More than that, your pain and swelling may escalate because of bone spurs or cartilage breaking off and floating within your joint.
Generally, osteoarthritis is related to aging. Although, here are some other contributing factors that may cause this degenerative joint disease:
- family history
- genetic defect
- being overweight
- previous fracture, joint injury
- repetitive stress causing joint pain
Certain health conditions may put you at a higher risk for osteoarthritis as well, like:
- gout
- avascular necrosis
- rheumatoid arthritis
- bleeding disorder causing joint bleeding ~ hemophilia
Osteoarthritis treatment basically attempts to ward off the disabling effects of the degenerative joint disease by increasing joint strength and movement, while reducing your pain and swelling symptoms. These treatment objectives may be accomplished via:
- rest
- ice bag
- weight loss
- COX-2 inhibitor
- physical therapy
- anti inflammatory
- cortisone injection
- joint splint, joint brace
- heating pad, warm compress
- non-weight bearing exercises
- capsaicin topical pain reliever
- glucosamine & chondroitin sulfate
- OTC pain relievers ~ acetaminophen
- NSAIDs ~ aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen
- viscosupplementation ~ hyaluronic acid injection
Unfortunately, some with a severe case of osteoarthritis will ultimately need joint replacement or repair surgery. Surgical joint restoration for this degenerative joint disease encompasses:
- total, partial joint replacement
- arthrodesis ~ spinal bone fusion
- arthroscopic surgery ~ trims torn, damaged cartilage
- osteotomay ~ changes bone alignment to relieve stress on joint
Nearly everyone over age 70 will suffer some joint pain, swelling symptoms caused by osteoarthritis.
