Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million adults in the US. It is also referred to as degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition that causes the cartilage “cap” at the end of your bones to wear away, causing painful bone-on-bone friction in the joints. It is sometimes confused with osteoporosis, a bone metabolism disease that causes bones to become fragile and to break more easily. Although they are different, there are many people who are affected by both conditions, especially post-menopausal women 65 or older.
Osteoarthritis affects each person differently. For some, their osteoarthritis is relatively mild and does not affect their day-to-day activities. However for others, it causes significant pain and disability. Treatment varies based on the patient and the progression of the disease, but there are many treatment options that can help manage the pain and progression of osteoarthritis.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
The symptoms of osteoarthritis often begin slowly and usually begin with one or a few joints. The most commonly affected joints include the:
- Hands (especially the ends of the fingers and at the base and ends of the thumbs).
- Knees.
- Hips.
- Neck.
- Lower back.
People with osteoarthritis usually experience pain after rest or inactivity, and/or stiffness for a short period of time. The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
- Pain when using the joint, which may improve with rest.
- In the later stages of the disease, the pain may be worse at night.
- The pain can be localized or widespread.
- Stiffness in the joints, usually lasting less than 30 minutes, in the morning or after resting for a period of time.
- Changes in the joint that may limit movement.
- Swelling in and around the joint, especially after periods of heavy use.
- A joint that feels loose or unstable.
Progression of Osteoarthritis
Researchers do not know what triggers or starts the breakdown of the tissues in the joint. However, as osteoarthritis develops, it can impact all the areas of the joint, including:
- Cartilage, the tissue that covers the ends where two bones meet to form a joint.
- Tendons and ligaments.
- Synovium, the lining of the joint.
- Bone.
- Meniscus in the knee.
As the damage of soft tissues in the joint progresses, pain, swelling, and loss of joint motion develops. If you have joint pain, you may be less active, and this can lead to muscle weakness, which may cause more stress on the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, small bone growths, called osteophytes or bone spurs, may grow on the edges of the joint. The shape of the bone may also change. Bits of bone or cartilage can also break off and float inside the joint space. This can cause even more damage.
Demographics of Osteoarthritis
Although anyone can get osteoarthritis, it is more common as people age. Women are more likely than men to have osteoarthritis, especially after age 50. For many women, it develops after menopause. Other causes of osteoarthritis include:
- Aging.
- Carrying excess weight.
- History of injury or surgery to a joint.
- Overuse from repetitive movements of the joint.
- Joints that do not form correctly.
- Family history of osteoarthritis.
Younger people can also develop osteoarthritis, usually as the result of:
- Joint injury.
- Abnormal joint structure.
- Genetic defect in joint cartilage.
Diagnosing Osteoarthritis
A thorough medical history, a physical examination and lab tests help to make up the OA diagnosis. In many cases, your primary care doctor is the first person informed about joint pain. The doctor will review your medical history, symptoms, ask how the pain affects activities, as well as other medical problems and medication use. He or she will also look at and move your joints, and may order imaging. The following tests will help to make the diagnosis:
- Joint aspiration. After numbing the area, a needle is inserted into the joint to pull out fluid. This test will look for infection or crystals in the fluid to help rule out other medical conditions or other forms of arthritis.
- X-ray. X-rays can show joint or bone damage or changes related to osteoarthritis.
- MRI. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) gives a better view of cartilage and other parts of the joint.
Treatments for Osteoarthritis
Although there is no cure for OA, there are many ways to manage your symptoms:
- Physical activity / Physical therapy
- Weight loss
- Over-the-counter pain relievers and prescription drugs
- Supportive devices like canes or crutches
- Joint replacement surgery
However, if you are still suffering with pain from OA – we have treatments that can help, including:
- Joint injections
- Plasma Rich Platelet (PRP) Injections
- Radiofrequency Ablation
If you are experiencing pain and/or stiffness in your joints from osteoarthritis, and other treatments haven’t given you adequate relief, talk to your physician about referring you to a Pain Management doctor like Dr. Smith. You can also give us a call at (210) 963-7493 to discuss your options. If you would like to request an appointment online, you can do so through our convenient online appointment request form.