Mallory Sullivan
Definition:
Osteoarthritis,
sometimes called degenerative joint disease, or osteoarthrosis, is the
most common form of arthritis.
"Arthritis" is a
blend of the Greek
words "anthron", for joint, and "itis", for inflammation,
which literally means " joint inflammation."
Arthritis has more than 100
forms and is a common cause of disability.
SIGNS &
SYMPTOMS:
-
Pain in a joint during or after
use, or after a period of inactivity.
- Discomfort in a joint before or during a change in the weather.
- Swelling and stiffness in a joint, particularly after using it.
- Bony lumps on the middle or end joints of fingers or the base of the thumb.
- Loss of joint flexibility.
- Discomfort in a joint before or during a change in the weather.
- Swelling and stiffness in a joint, particularly after using it.
- Bony lumps on the middle or end joints of fingers or the base of the thumb.
- Loss of joint flexibility.
AJFLDAREAS
AFFECTED:
f
Fingers:
bony knobs called
nodes can enlarge finger joints , creating a gnarled
appearance.
* may cause joints to feel painful or stiff and numb.
* nodes tend to run in families and affect women more than men.
Spine: Slow deterioration of disks between the bones along your spine .
Weight-Bearing Joints: (hips, knees, and feet)
* Swelling may occur, especially in the knees.
Uncommon Areas: jaw, shoulder, elbows, wrists or ankles.
* may cause joints to feel painful or stiff and numb.
* nodes tend to run in families and affect women more than men.
Spine: Slow deterioration of disks between the bones along your spine .
Weight-Bearing Joints: (hips, knees, and feet)
* Swelling may occur, especially in the knees.
Uncommon Areas: jaw, shoulder, elbows, wrists or ankles.
CAUSES:
The main cause in when cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints deteriorates and its smooth surface roughens.
This eventually leads to bone rubbing on bone causing the ends to become damaged and joints to become painful.
Though the exact cause is unknown, researchers suspect a combination of factors including:
- being overweight
- the aging process
- joint injury or stress
- heredity
- muscle weakness
- an imbalance of enzymes which allow the natural breakdown and regeneration of cartilage
The main cause in when cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints deteriorates and its smooth surface roughens.
This eventually leads to bone rubbing on bone causing the ends to become damaged and joints to become painful.
Though the exact cause is unknown, researchers suspect a combination of factors including:
- being overweight
- the aging process
- joint injury or stress
- heredity
- muscle weakness
- an imbalance of enzymes which allow the natural breakdown and regeneration of cartilage
RISK
FACTORS:
- Being 45
years old or older
- Being female
- Having certain hereditary conditions including defective cartilage and malformed joints.
- Joint injuries caused by physical activity or sports.
- Being obese
- Having rheumatoid arthritis, hemochromatosis, gout or pseudogout.
- Having weak quadriceps
- Being female
- Having certain hereditary conditions including defective cartilage and malformed joints.
- Joint injuries caused by physical activity or sports.
- Being obese
- Having rheumatoid arthritis, hemochromatosis, gout or pseudogout.
- Having weak quadriceps
DIAGNOSIS:
aMany
methods are used to diagnos this disease including:
- a physical examination
- blood tests
- certain imaging techniques
- joint aspiration
* Blood tests are used to diagnos or rule out specific types of arthritis.
* Imaging techniques include: X rays, bone scans, computerized tomography (CT) scans, MRI scans, and arthrography. These techniques can reveal bone spurs, worn-down cartilage, and loss of joint space, indicating the presence of osteoarthritis.
- a physical examination
- blood tests
- certain imaging techniques
- joint aspiration
* Blood tests are used to diagnos or rule out specific types of arthritis.
* Imaging techniques include: X rays, bone scans, computerized tomography (CT) scans, MRI scans, and arthrography. These techniques can reveal bone spurs, worn-down cartilage, and loss of joint space, indicating the presence of osteoarthritis.
TREATMENT:
*
There is no cure for
osteoarthritis, but available treatments can
releive pain and help the patient remain active.
Medications: ( used to treat the pain and mild inflammation and to improve joints' functioning. )
Topical medications: Aspercreme and Sportscreme, Icy Hot, or Ben-Gay
Oral medications:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): ( relieve pain but does not reduce inflammation.)
- NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin IB and Aleve, ( relieve pain and fight inflammation)
- COX - 2 inhibitors: (Celebrex). **These cause fluid retention and can cause high blood pressure.**
- Tramadol ( Ultram): ( have no anti-inflammatory effect, but can provide effective pain relief with fewer side effects than NSAIDs. )
**May cause nausea and constipation. They are usually used for short-term treatment of acute flare-ups. **
- Injections of pain relievers.
Surgical or other procedures:
- Joint replacement: The hip and knee joint are most commonly replaced.
(Replacement joints last at least 20 years in about 80 % of those who receive them. )
- Arthroscopic lavage and debridement
- Repositioning bones
- Fusing bones
- exercise regularly (Walking , stationary bike or aquatic exercise. )
- working with a physical therapist
- control your weight
- eat a healthy diet
- apply heat; apply cold for occasional flare-ups
- choose appropriate footwear
- practice relaxation techniques
- take your medications as recommended
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Treatment:
- accupuncture
- copper jewelry
- homeopathy
- magnets
Sources:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis
Medications: ( used to treat the pain and mild inflammation and to improve joints' functioning. )
Topical medications: Aspercreme and Sportscreme, Icy Hot, or Ben-Gay
Oral medications:
- Acetaminophen (Tylenol): ( relieve pain but does not reduce inflammation.)
- NSAIDs: Advil, Motrin IB and Aleve, ( relieve pain and fight inflammation)
- COX - 2 inhibitors: (Celebrex). **These cause fluid retention and can cause high blood pressure.**
- Tramadol ( Ultram): ( have no anti-inflammatory effect, but can provide effective pain relief with fewer side effects than NSAIDs. )
**May cause nausea and constipation. They are usually used for short-term treatment of acute flare-ups. **
- Injections of pain relievers.
Surgical or other procedures:
- Joint replacement: The hip and knee joint are most commonly replaced.
(Replacement joints last at least 20 years in about 80 % of those who receive them. )
- Arthroscopic lavage and debridement
- Repositioning bones
- Fusing bones
Self Care:
- exercise regularly (Walking , stationary bike or aquatic exercise. )
- working with a physical therapist
- control your weight
- eat a healthy diet
- apply heat; apply cold for occasional flare-ups
- choose appropriate footwear
- practice relaxation techniques
- take your medications as recommended
Complementary and Alternative Medicine for Treatment:
- accupuncture
- copper jewelry
- homeopathy
- magnets
Sources:
www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis