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McKesson Clinical Reference Systems: Women's Health Advisor 2002.2
Spanish version
Illustration
Osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also called degenerative arthritis, is a
disease that causes the breakdown of the cartilage in
joints. Normally, cartilage acts as a smooth, cushioning
material inside joints. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage
becomes rough and flaky, and small pieces break off. The
bone surface of the joint also becomes rough and irregular.
As a result, movement of the joint becomes painful and
difficult.
Osteoarthritis occurs most often in weight-bearing joints
such as the neck, lower back, knees, and hips. It also
often affects the fingers.
Osteoarthritis is three times more common in women than in
men. It begins to appear in middle age. By age 60, most
people have some osteoarthritis, although it may be too mild
to cause symptoms.
How does it occur?
Osteoarthritis is caused by excessive wear on joints.
Obesity, bad posture, old injuries, and overuse can all
cause extra wear on joints. Heredity also appears to play a
role.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
- mild to severe pain in a joint, especially after overuse
or long periods of inactivity, such as sitting for a long
time
- creaking or grating sound in the joint
- swelling, stiffness, limited movement of the joint,
especially in the mornings
- weakness in muscles around the sore joint from lack of
use
- deformity of the joint.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will review your medical history and examine
you. Your doctor may also order blood tests and x-rays. A
sample of fluid in the joint may be taken with a needle to
confirm the diagnosis.
How is it treated?
The aim of treatment is to keep the joint working by
reducing strain on the joint and by relieving pain,
stiffness, and swelling.
Generally, acetaminophen is the best medication for pain
relief in osteoarthritis. If it is not effective, low doses
of aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as
ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin) can be used by those who
can take these types of medicines. If acetaminophen does
not work, see your doctor for more guidance and evaluation.
Rubbing anti-inflammatory or deep-heat creams over the
arthritic joint can sometimes be helpful. Putting an ice
pack on your the joint once or twice a day can also help
relieve pain. Doctors also sometimes inject steroids into
the painful joint.
If you are overweight, your doctor may recommend that you
lose weight by eating fewer calories, by increasing your
physical activity, or both.
Physical and occupational therapy can help you have normal
movement again. Regular gentle aerobic exercise is also
very important for controlling osteoarthritis.
Sometimes severely damaged hips and knees are surgically
replaced.
How long will the effects last?
Unfortunately, osteoarthritis is a lifetime disease that
can worsen over time. Avoiding repeated injury to your
joints can help, but damaged cartilage cannot repair
itself.
How can I take care of myself?
Although no one yet knows how to prevent osteoarthritis,
you can help prevent symptoms by following these guidelines:
- Keep your joints in good working order. Stay fit. Do any
exercises recommended by your doctor or physical therapist
for posture, muscle strength, and joint mobility. Daily
moderate exercise is much better for your joints than
occasional strenuous exercise. Walk a little each day if
you can. Be sure to wear comfortable, well-cushioned
walking shoes. Otherwise, you can exercise while sitting
down or go swimming. The water in a warm swimming pool
can help support your weight while you exercise, and the
warmth helps improve joint movement.
- Protect your joints by doing warm-up exercises before
strenuous activity.
- Use a knee pad to protect your knees when you are
kneeling.
- Take the medication your doctor recommends for
controlling your osteoarthritis.
- Keep your body healthy by eating a healthy, varied,
low-fat diet.
- Follow your doctor's recommendations for weight
control.
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