There’s no gentle way of saying this: a specific cure for the cartilage degeneration seen in osteoarthritis does not exist. There is also no method to repair or regain the damaged cartilage.  If osteoarthritis cannot be cured, what then is the goal of the treatment? People suffering from osteoarthritis endure varying degrees of pain. While some are lucky enough to be completely free of pain, others are incapacitated by it.

Treatment Aims   Treatment aims at reducing joint pain and inflammation. It also focuses on improving and maintaining joint function.   Depending upon the intensity of pain, some patients benefit from conservative measures such as exercise, rest and diet management. Others make use of occupational and physical therapy and use mechanical support devices. These measures are particularly useful in managing pain in the large weight-bearing joints like the hip and the knee.   Medicines Most medications are anti-inflammatory and aim at reducing pain. Patients may take the medicine orally or apply them topically. Sometimes an injection in the joints helps.   Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) consist of medicines like Ibuprofen and aspirin that help reduce pain and inflammation. But many of them cause intestinal distress when used for long periods. Steroidal injections quickly reduce pain and inflammation but can harm the tissues and the bones.   In case of severe pain that does not respond to exercise or medication, a series of injections of hyaluronic acid into the joints may be helpful. These products work for a limited span of time by restoring the thickness of the joint fluid. Thus there is enough lubrication between the joints – at least for a while.   Depending on any drug for long-term relief is not practical or advisable. When conservative measures are unsuccessful in managing pain and maintaining mobility, doctors consider surgery.   Therapeutic Exercise A person suffering from pain should perform exercise at a level that avoids pain. In that case, exercise will not aggravate the problem. In fact, exercise can help in many ways:   It strengthens the muscles around the joints It maintains and improves mobility Helps overweight people lose weight, and Promotes endurance The most popular exercises are swimming, walking and light weight training. In most people, even a modest reduction in weight can dramatically reduce symptoms.   Accessories Physical therapists provide devices like braces, canes, splints and walkers to reduce stress on the joints. Warm water soaks, paraffin wax drops and nighttime cotton gloves ease symptoms in the hand. A firm mattress, neck collar or a lumbar corset can reduce the tension in the spine.   Alternative (natural) Treatments A national survey reported that in recent years more than 45% of people suffering from oosteoarthritis turned to alternative therapy for support and management of symptoms. Some of the most common treatments include Acupuncture and Acupressure, Magnet Therapy, therapeutic massage and Diet Therapy.   Food Supplements Some studies suggest that natural food supplements like glucosamine, methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) and chondroitin can relieve the pain and stiffness felt by persons with osteoartritus. Pharmacies and health food stores supply these products over the counter. You do not need a prescription for these. Flax seed oil is another food supplement that produces essential omega-3 fatty acids and thus reduces inflammation. There is very little proof regarding the effectiveness of these substances. However, Glucosamine/Chondroitin Arthritis Intervention Trial (GAIT) is conducting tests to ascertain the effects of food supplements on patients suffering from osteoarthritis in the knee.   Self-Help Measures There are certain things every person can do at home. Warm showers and baths – especially whirlpool baths – often help reduce pain and stiffness. Warm wet compresses like castor oil compress comfort sore joints.   Additionally, plenty of support centers and web sites offer intelligent and practical advice to people suffering from this condition. Certain publications like “Mayo Clinic on Arthritis” suggest more treatment methods that make the life of a patient with soteoarthritis as normal as possible. Most of these resources use pictures and adequate explanation to better equip you.   In the future, prevention of osteoarthritis may become possible. At the very least, we may have a remedy that helps grow back the lost cartilage. However, till this happens a patient’s best bet is to take immediate steps to contain damage. Regular weight control, exercise and symptom management will help him or her lead a near-normal life.

 

The technical definition

Doctors define osteoarthritis (OA) as a kind of arthritis that is caused by the breakdown and subsequent loss of cartilage in the joints. Explained in layman terms OA is nothing but the stiffness and pain people feel in their joints when the joints have been out of use for some period of time.

 

What is the cause of OA?

As we age, various parts of the body experience wear and tear. The body offsets some of these erosive forces by replacing lost cells naturally. Unfortunately, some parts –like your cartilage and bone mass – once lost, are lost forever. That is why OA is also called ‘degenerative arthritis’.

 

The cartilage serves an important function. It is gel-like substance. It acts as a shock absorber between the ends of the joints. When it is lost, the bones begin to rub against each other. This causes pain, deformity, swelling and loss of movement.

 

The main cause of primary osteoarthritis is ageing. According to statistics primary OA occurs more frequently among males before the age of 45. In females, it usually comes after the age of 55.

 

When a particular event or condition contributes to the development of the condition, we call it secondary osteoarthritis. This may be caused by trauma (excessive exercising, for instance) or surgery. Research shows that after ageing, obesity is the #1 cause of OA. In a small number of people, a high deposit of Uric Acid in the blood can cause degeneration of cartilage. Previous inflammatory diseases of the joint can also lead to OA.

 

OA of the knees is associated with obesity or a history of repeated trauma. Weightlifters are particularly prone to it. In advanced cases, there is a risk of becoming ‘bow legged’. Patients may even need total knee replacements.

 

Severe pain that radiates to the shoulder indicates cervical osteoarthritis. It is at its peak in the morning. It gets better as the day progresses.

 

OA may occur in the spine too. The sharp edges of exposed or ‘un-cushioned’ bone may irritate the spinal nerves. This may lead to severe pain, tingling or numbness in the affected parts.

 

Symptoms and signs : how to diagnose it yourself

While some people may ask, “What the heck is osteoarthritus?” if you list the symptoms they will say, “O, yeah! I have it”. OA is by far the most common joint disease. Morning joint stiffness is usually the first symptom. Other symptoms include pain in the joints of the hands, finger or foot. Pain may occur in the large, weight-bearing joints like the shoulder, knee or the spine also. Swelling, warmth or a ‘creaking’ or ‘breaking’ sound in the joint may follow. The pain is intermittent and patients may experience years of pain-free life.

 

Osteoarthritis is often confused with other diseases of the joints.

 

Rheumatoid Vs Osteoarthritis:

There is a vital difference between the two conditions. As we know isteoarthritis is a degenerative disease caused by wear and tear. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder. Here the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks the inner lining of the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis also causes pain, stiffness, loss of function and swelling in the joints. It is easy to confuse the two.

 

OA is not to be confused with osteoporosis. It is also a degenerative disease. But in osteoporosis, it is the bone mass and NOT the cartilage that is lost.

 

Medical Diagnosis:

X-rays are the main tools for diagnosis. The image will show the loss of joint cartilage, bone spur formation or narrowing of the space between adjoining bones. Enlargement of the joints at the nodal points is typical of steoarthritis. Spur formation is another sure-shot sign. This becomes evident from the picture produced by the X-ray.

 

Information gained from Blood tests and simple testing techniques help rule out other abnormalities or diseases. To conduct these tests, the doctor inserts a viewing tube into the joint or removes joint fluid.

 

There is no specific treatment to halt the loss of cells. But certain precautionary measures can help preserve the cartilage for a longer time. New concepts pertaining to the pathophysiology of OA have helped develop new therapeutic approaches. Patients are thus able to ‘manage’ their condition better. This helps them live their lives normally.