Osteoarthritis Symptoms: Everything You Need To Know
Osteoarthritis (OA) affects around 33 million adults in the United States. Like other chronic pain...
Arthritis causes pain and stiffness in the body’s joints. Living with arthritis can be tough because it affects both your physical and emotional health. The pain and stiffness can greatly limit your movement, quality of life, and overall well-being. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, with osteoarthritis being the most common. Over 32.5 million adults in the U.S. have osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis, like all forms of arthritis, has no cure. However, you can manage its symptoms effectively. Proper pain management can help reduce pain and inflammation and maintain joint function.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the protective cartilage in the joints wears away, causing bone-on-bone contact and pain. It can affect any joint but is most common in the hands, hips, knees, and spine. Diagnosing osteoarthritis involves a thorough medical history and physical examination.
Anatomy and Pathophysiology of Osteoarthritis
Here are the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis, especially as people age:
- Hands: Frequent use of the joints connecting the fingers, thumbs, and wrists can lead to pain and stiffness, limiting daily activities.
- Knees: Often caused by injury or repetitive use, knee osteoarthritis results in pain, swelling, and instability. This can make walking, climbing stairs, or standing difficult.
- Hips: Being a major weight-bearing joint, the hip is prone to osteoarthritis due to age, repetitive use, or injury. Hip pain can be debilitating and hinder daily activities like walking and standing.
- Spine: Osteoarthritis in the spine leads to pain, stiffness, and limited mobility, mainly in the lower back and neck. This can make bending over or lifting objects painful.
By understanding these aspects of osteoarthritis, you can better manage its symptoms and maintain your quality of life.
Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis
Symptoms vary depending on which joints are affected and how far the condition has progressed. They can range from mild to severe. Here are the primary symptoms associated with osteoarthritis:
Pain and Swelling
Osteoarthritis typically causes mild to severe pain and swelling in the affected joint that may increase with activity. This happens because of the inflammation in the joint and the damage to the cartilage. When the cartilage is worn away, the bones can rub against each other, causing pain. Swelling usually occurs due to inflammation and fluid buildup in the joint, as the body tries to repair the damage.
Muscle Stiffness and Decreased Range of Motion
Osteoarthritis can cause stiffness and a reduced range of motion in the affected joint. Inflammation makes it hard to move the joint, leading to muscle weakness around the joint, which further limits movement. The destruction of cartilage also reduces the space between the bones, making it harder for the joint to move freely.
Grating Sensation
A grating sensation can occur when the bones of an affected joint rub against each other due to the loss of cartilage that normally cushions and protects them. This can be mild to severe and may happen when the joint is moved or touched.
Loss Of Lower Body Function
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Causes And Risk Factors
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not fully understood. However, several risk factors can increase the likelihood of developing the condition:
Aging
Carrying extra weight puts more strain on your joints, increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis. The added weight can also worsen the pain, as it puts additional pressure on already inflamed joints.
Family History
Having a family history of osteoarthritis increases your risk of developing the condition. The estimated heritability of osteoarthritis varies by body part:
- Osteoarthritis of the knee: 40 percent
- Osteoarthritis of the hip: up to 60 percent
- Osteoarthritis of the hand: 65 percent
- Osteoarthritis of the spine: 70 percent
Joint Strain From Repetitive Stress
Prolonged stress on a joint heightens the likelihood of osteoarthritis development, as it leads to cartilage degeneration. Activities like running, weightlifting, or engaging in sports such as tennis or basketball can induce this repetitive stress on the joint.
History of Injury or Joint Surgery
Evaluation And Diagnosis
Osteoarthritis is usually diagnosed through a physical examination and imaging tests. During the physical exam, your doctor will check for signs of swelling, tenderness, warmth, and decreased range of motion in the affected joint. X-rays and MRI scans are often used to help diagnose the condition. X-rays can reveal bone loss, narrowing between joints, or bone spurs, which are indicators of osteoarthritis. MRI scans can show the condition of the cartilage and soft tissue around the affected joint.
Getting an accurate diagnosis of osteoarthritis is crucial to determine the best course of treatment. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition; therefore, proper management is necessary to reduce pain and improve joint function.
Treatment Options For Osteoarthritis
Even though there is no cure for osteoarthritis, there are several ways to manage the condition. These treatments can help reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve your range of motion. Below are some common methods that traditional doctors use to treat osteoarthritis:
Anti-Inflammatory Medications
Doctors often prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin to manage osteoarthritis. These medications help reduce inflammation and pain in the affected joint. Additionally, corticosteroid injections can also be used to decrease inflammation and pain.
Physical, Occupational, and Exercise Therapy
Physical and occupational therapy can improve joint function, reduce pain, and increase strength. Therapists teach exercises to enhance the range of motion and strengthen the muscles around the affected joint. Occupational therapists can help modify daily activities to reduce stress on the joint and provide adaptive equipment to make tasks easier.
Surgical Procedures
If osteoarthritis has progressed significantly and other treatments are not providing relief, surgery may be recommended. Here are some surgical procedures that might be used to treat osteoarthritis:
- Arthrodesis: This procedure fuses two bones together using metal plates and screws to reduce pain and improve joint stability, though it can limit the range of motion.
- Osteotomy: This surgery involves cutting and shifting the bone around the knee joint to take pressure off the affected area, aiming to reduce pain and improve joint function.
- Arthroplasty: This involves removing the affected joint and replacing it with an artificial joint, aiming to improve the range of motion and reduce pain.
How NextPain Care Treats Osteoarthritis
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Nerve Block
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Joint Injections
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Epidural Steroid Injections
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Radiofrequency Ablation
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Manage Osteoarthritis With NextPain Care
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