Osteoarthritis - Causes, Symptoms and Treatment

Osteoarthritis is generally equated with a disease of wear and tear and old age. Although it does usually accompany old age, researchers have found that the cartilage in a joint with osteoarthritis is chemically different than a joint without the disease.

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms differ from one case to another. One patient might be suffering from severe pain for days while others might experience it infrequently. Weather and the time of the day have also something to do with this. As the weather changes from time to time, a person will likewise experience the acute pain that can even last for weeks.

The most common symptom is pain in a joint after repetitive use. For example, a person who has been hiking for years may suddenly experience pain in one knee that is not related to a fall, sprain or other injury. Examination by X-ray may show deterioration of the cartilage that prevents the joints from grinding against each other.

Osteoarthritis symptoms need to be verified before any medication is prescribed, as the symptoms are often confused with spondylosis. Spondylosis is responsible for gradual deterioration of the discs between vertebrae of the spine. Spondylosis and osteoarthritis are generally found together, and one needs to be sure before start of treatment. Another common mix-up is with symptoms of Osteoporosis, or low calcium content of the bones.

Osteoarthritis Causes

The cause of Osteoarthritis is not known, yet doctors have many suspicions. Some of the symptoms of Osteoarthritis boggle the minds of scientists and more research needs to take place to determine the actual root of the disease. For instance, X-rays can tell that Arthritis is present, yet the amount of pain reported by Osteoarthritis sufferers differs from the results of the X-ray. Though many people refer to Osteoarthritis as the “wear and tear” disease, evidence shows that this disease and its mysterious cause are not as simple as that definition. In fact, “wear and tear” does not take place in just one joint, but affects joints simultaneously throughout the body.

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Currently osteoarthritis treatment is limited because no medications are capable of preventing or retarding the disease process. Very often the doctor will, if osteoarthritis is found, make various recommendations to the patient that will help them to cope with both the pain and maintenance of the disease.

Good habits that will improve the person's general health should be practiced. These should include implementation of correct posture that will improve the body mechanics and a good exercise regimen that will increase the muscle power..

Readjusting one's Lifestyle

Of course treatment for osteoarthritis is highly dependent on the patient's willingness and participation. Sometimes the most effective treatment is the will of the patient to get well again. When the will is strong, the patient is motivated to find other ways of helping himself or herself (of course consultation with one's physician is still a must before attempting any independent treatment) such as remodeling one's lifestyle. Incorporating a nutritious diet and regular exercise to one's life can be a big help in the treatment of osteoarthritis.

Some sufferers gain relief by having medication injected directly into the joint. Losing weight can also be considered a treatment for osteoarthritis because the excess weight puts extra strain on your joints, which can cause the cartilage to wear out more quickly. As a last resort, surgery can be considered to replace knee or hip joints. This is only done when the joint has been severely damaged and does not respond well to other treatment options. There are three surgery options available, you and your doctor will decide which one is best for you. The first surgery is osteotomy, where bone growths are removed to help realign the joint. This is usually done on the knee.