 |
I. Definition: Osteoarthritis,
sometimes called degenerative arthritis, is the most common type of arthritis. It characterized by inflammation and the wearing
away of cartilage around the joints, commonly in the feet and ankles. It causes pain, swelling, and stiffness of the
joints, oftentimes making it difficult to walk or stand.
The pain and swelling typically worsen while standing or walking, or with changes
in the weather. The stiffness often occurs after periods of rest.
II. Cause:
Osteoarthritis
is commonly caused by injuries or excessive wear and tear on the joints. When the cartilage breaks down, the bones have no
cushion and begin to rub against each other. This
causes pain and inflammation. Studies show
that osteoarthritis has hereditary links, signifying that the susceptibility to cartilage
breakdown may be genetic.
|
III. Treatment and Prevention: Currently,
the only known form of prevention is to avoid injury and excessive wear and tear on the
joints. Once osteoarthritis develops, there
are a number of treatments used to ease the pain, inflammation, and joint immobility
- Special
footwear, including shoes with an extra-wide toe box, arch supports, or, orthotic devices,
can ease the pain by taking pressure off the affected joint.
- Exercise
is important to maintain strength. Emphasize
low-impact exercises such as swimming, walking, stretching, and low-impact aerobics. Running and jogging may have to be avoided to
prevent additional wear and tear on the joints.
- Resting
the affected joints can help with the recovery of inflamed joints and prevent further
damage.
- Maintaining
a healthy weight is important to avoid placing excess strain on the affected joints.
- Hot
and cold compresses can be used to easy the symptoms.
Heat typically reduces stiffness, while cold typically relieves pain.
- Medications
such as aspirin, other anti-inflammatory drugs, and other drugs prescribed by your
personal physician can ease the pain and inflammation.
You
should seek medical advice from an orthopaedic specialist if chronic pain persists for
more than 2-3 months. Surgery may be the
recommended treatment for severely arthritic joints.
Surgical procedures may include cleaning out the joint, realigning the
joint, fusing the joint, or in rare cases, replacing the joint altogether.
|
