Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis comes under arthritis, which is caused by normal wear and tears. An infection or joint injury can aggravate the natural breakdown of cartilage tissue. Cartilage is connective tissue. It guards joints by absorbing the pressure and shock caused by movement and stress.
What is arthritis?
Arthritis is a form of joint inflammation. It distinguishes by swelling and tenderness in joints. The most common symptoms of arthritis are joint pain and stiffness.
Factors concerning osteoarthritis
- Obesity.
- Diabetes and hyperlipidemia.
- Heredity.
- Decreased estrogen.
- Occupation.
Osteoarthritis symptoms
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are,
- Joint pain and stiffness.
- Tenderness.
- Swelling.
Some may have more persistent and severe problems that make it difficult to carry out daily activities. Osteoarthritis affects almost any joint but most commonly affects the hands, knees, hips, and small joints.
Osteoarthritis causes
The cartilage presents on the ends of bones and wears away in osteoarthritis, causing pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the joint. However, the precise cause is unknown.
Factors increasing the risk of developing osteoarthritis include:
- Joint injury – overusing a joint that hasn’t had enough time to heal after an injury or operation.
- Age.
- Heredity.
- Obesity puts extra strain on your joints, especially those that bear most of your weight, such as your knees and hips.
- Being a female – is more common in women than in men.
Osteoarthritis prevention and treatments
Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that is hard to cure but gradually improves.
Mild osteoarthritis gets suppressed with simple measures such as:
- Regular Exercise.
- Losing Weight If You Are Overweight, Wearing.
- Appropriate Footwear.
- Switching to Special Devices to Reduce the Strain on Joints during Daily Activities.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022