| Common Characteristics of Osteoarthritis | | | | symptoms of osteoarthritis, as the joint degeneration |
| Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint | | | | progresses, swelling, redness and other signs of |
| disease, is one of the most common ailments | | | | inflammation may occur. When this happens, |
| associated with getting older, and it is therefore most | | | | anti-inflammatory drug therapy may be |
| common in those parts of the world where people | | | | recommended. |
| live the longest. More than 15 million Americans | | | | Aspirin. Patients who can tolerate high doses of |
| receive medical attention for osteoarthritis each year, | | | | aspirin may be treated with this drug alone. However, |
| and more than twice that many are affected by it to | | | | patients on anti-inflammatory aspirin therapy, which |
| some degree. However, it rarely results in serious | | | | may involve taking 16 or more tablets a day, should |
| disability. | | | | be aware of possible side effects, among which the |
| Osteoarthritis is essentially a "wear-and-tear" disorder. | | | | most common are ringing in the ears, heartburn and |
| In typical cases, symptoms appear after the age of | | | | other gastrointestinal upsets. To minimize |
| 50, and usually in the large joints that bear the most | | | | gastrointestinal complications, the aspirin should be |
| weight--the hips, knees, shoulders and spine. | | | | scheduled after meals. Acetaminophen, in smaller |
| Pain and stiffness are at their most uncomfortable | | | | dosages, may be recommended as an alternative to |
| upon arising in the morning and are likely to be | | | | aspirin. |
| intensified during damp, cold weather. (This does not | | | | Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. These are |
| mean, however, that symptoms are likely to | | | | relatively new drugs that relieve the pain and joint |
| disappear in a warm, dry climate.) Redness and | | | | inflammation of osteoarthritis. It is the physician's role |
| swelling of the affected joints may also occur. Joints, | | | | to match the patient with the particular drug that will |
| particularly in the fingers, may become permanently | | | | be most suitable and effective without adverse |
| gnarled by osteoarthritis, but this almost never | | | | effects. Sometimes drugs are used in combination, |
| interferes with their function. Painless bony bumps, | | | | but whatever the procedure, supervision by the |
| known as Heberden's nodes, may also appear | | | | doctor is usually indicated if maximum benefit is to be |
| symmetrically on the fingers of both hands or on toe | | | | achieved. |
| joints as well. | | | | Steroids. In those few cases where other measures |
| Causes of Osteoarthritis | | | | fail, steroid drugs (cortisone) may be injected into the |
| When a person is young and spry, the joints | | | | damaged joint for temporary relief. However, |
| between the bones swing freely like efficient, | | | | long-term treatment with steroids is not |
| well-oiled hinges. Stresses and strains are absorbed | | | | recommended for osteoarthritis. |
| by the cartilage pads that provide cushioning and | | | | Surgery |
| lubrication at the ends of the bones where they | | | | When an older person suffers such severe |
| constantly come together as the parts of the body | | | | osteoarthritis that most normal activity becomes |
| make their coordinated movements. | | | | impossible, surgical replacement of the affected joints |
| Over the years, these protective layers become | | | | may be considered. Hip replacement, in which the |
| eroded, lubricating fluids diminish and the result is a | | | | entire hip joint or head of the femur is replaced, is |
| sensation often described as "creaking" at the joints. | | | | the most common operation of this type. The |
| In addition to a decrease in smoothness of function, | | | | replacement joint is made of plastic and metal parts |
| small growths, or spurs, may develop on the bones in | | | | and is held in place by special plastic cements. The |
| the area of the joints. These are 10 times more | | | | artificial joints allow the previously immobilized patient |
| prevalent among women than among men and are | | | | to be relieved of crippling pain, and most activities |
| likely to aggravate an already uncomfortable | | | | can be resumed following physical therapy and |
| condition. | | | | regaining of muscle function. |
| Signs and Symptoms of Osteoarthritis | | | | More recent joint replacements include the knee--a |
| Since the weight-bearing joints are the ones most | | | | joint that is more complicated than the hip and, |
| commonly affected, stiffness and discomfort in the | | | | consequently, poses more engineering problems in |
| knees and hips are likeliest to occur first, especially in | | | | replacing. However, the newer artificial knee joints |
| the overweight person or in someone whose life | | | | are providing good results, both in terms of pain relief |
| style involves long stretches of standing or walking. A | | | | and restoration of function. |
| visit to the doctor for diagnosis normally includes | | | | Traumatic Arthritis |
| close inspection of painful areas as well as X-ray | | | | Closely related to osteoarthritis, traumatic arthritis is |
| examination of the joints in question. (when X-ray | | | | usually the result of excessive joint use combined |
| pictures are taken for diagnosis of some other | | | | with injury. It is commonly seen in athletes. Rest will |
| condition in younger patients, they usually reveal the | | | | usually resolve the problem, although in some |
| beginnings of cartilage erosion in the weight-bearing | | | | instances, drugs or surgery may be required, |
| joints at a stage that does not yet produce | | | | particularly in the case of athletes who need to |
| associated symptoms.) Other than X-rays and visual | | | | quickly regain the use of the injured joints. |
| examination, there are no other diagnostic tests for | | | | Summing Up |
| osteoarthritis. | | | | For millions of people, osteoarthritis is an inevitable |
| Treatment of Osteoarthritis | | | | condition of aging. Most cases can be handled by rest |
| Where overweight exists as a contributing factor, | | | | and common sense. Anti-inflammatory drugs--both |
| efforts should be made to lose the extra pounds and | | | | non-prescription painkillers such as aspirin or |
| keep them off. Application of warm, moist heat, slow | | | | acetaminophen, or prescription non-steroidal |
| and gentle massage of the affected joints and a | | | | anti-inflammatory agents--may be used during |
| reduction (not a total cessation) of normal activities | | | | flare-ups. |
| are ways in which patients can help themselves when | | | | Osteoarthritis rarely turns into a crippling disease, but |
| there is an intensification of discomfort. Where | | | | as newer and more effective drugs are available for |
| pressure on the weight-bearing joints can be | | | | reducing aches and pains to a minimum, there is little |
| diminished through postural adjustments, special | | | | reason for allowing this particular cause of physical |
| exercises may be recommended. | | | | discomfort to be a dominating factor in determining |
| Drug Therapy | | | | one's life style in advancing years. |
| Although inflammation is not one of the initial | | | | |