Osteoarthritis

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects joints of the body and is the most common type of arthritis in the UK. It is caused when the surfaces of the joint become damaged which leads to the joint not moving as smoothly as it should, leading to stiffness and pain. Older terms or other used terms are degenerative joint disease or wear and tear.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

The main symptom of osteoarthritis is pain which can also include stiffness in the affected joint. It is common for pain to be worse when you first start to move the joint and towards the end of the day, leading to sleep disturbance.

If your osteoarthritis is more severe, you will probably experience more frequent pain and the joint may feel stiff and swell, not move as much and it may also creak and crunch as you move. You can also get some giving way of the joint due to weakness in the muscles or due to instability of the joint.

Osteoarthritis affects individuals differently, and the severity of symptoms can vary between affected joints. While some may experience mild and sporadic discomfort, others can suffer from continuous and intense pain that restricts their daily activities. Although almost any joint can be impacted by the condition, the knees, hips, and small joints of the hands are typically the most affected areas.

When experiencing persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis, it’s best to see your GP. They can confirm the diagnosis and prescribe any necessary treatment to alleviate your symptoms.

Causes of osteoarthritis

Joints are subjected to constant low-level damage as part of everyday life. The human body typically repairs this damage without any symptoms. However, in the case of osteoarthritis, the protective cartilage at the ends of the bones breaks down, which results in pain, swelling, and restricted movement of the affected joint. The area can become inflamed, and bony growths may occur.

The exact cause of osteoarthritis remains unknown, but several factors are believed to increase the risk of developing the condition. These include:

• Joint injury – Overusing a joint before it has had sufficient time to heal after an injury or surgery.
• Other underlying conditions (secondary arthritis) – Osteoarthritis can develop in joints severely damaged by a previous or current condition such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.
• Age – The likelihood of developing osteoarthritis increases with age.
• Family history – While no single gene has been identified as responsible, osteoarthritis may run in families.
• Obesity – Excessive weight puts undue pressure on your joints, particularly those that carry most of your weight, such as the hips and knees.
• Gender – Osteoarthritis is more prevalent in women than men.

Diagnosing osteoarthritis

If you’re experiencing joint pain, a GP or physiotherapist will perform a physical examination and ask about your symptoms to determine if you have osteoarthritis. Here are some signs that they will typically look for:

• You’re 45 years old or older.
• Your joint pain worsens with use.
• Joint stiffness is not present in the mornings or lasts less than 30 minutes.

If your symptoms differ from the above, it may indicate another joint condition. For instance, prolonged joint stiffness in the morning could be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis. In most cases, further tests such as X-rays or blood tests are not necessary but may be used to rule out other possible causes.

Treating osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that can’t be cured, but it doesn’t necessarily worsen over time and sometimes improves gradually. Several treatments are available to alleviate the symptoms.

For mild symptoms, simple measures may be effective such as:

• Engaging in regular exercise
• Losing weight if overweight
• Wearing appropriate footwear

For more serious symptoms, additional treatments like painkillers and a structured exercise plan with a physiotherapist may be necessary. In rare cases where joint damage is severe or other treatments have been unsuccessful, surgery may be considered to repair, strengthen, or replace the damaged joint.

Preventing osteoarthritis

Although it is impossible to completely prevent osteoarthritis, there are ways to reduce your risk of developing this condition. Living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding injury are key factors.

1. Exercises or a job that puts frequent strain on your joints and forces them to bear an excessive load can increase your risk of osteoarthritis. To keep yourself healthy, aim to do at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, such as cycling or fast walking. Additionally, perform strength exercises on two or more days each week to work the major muscle groups.
2. Maintaining good posture at all times and avoiding staying in one position for too long can also help reduce your risk of osteoarthritis. If you work at a desk, ensure that your chair is at the correctly, and take regular breaks to move around.
3. Being overweight or obese increases the strain on your joints and your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Losing weight may help lower your chances of developing the condition.