Osteoarthritis

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. Often called "wear and tear" arthritis, it occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time. Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips, and spine.

Symptoms

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms include:

• Pain: Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
• Stiffness: Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon waking up or after being inactive.
• Tenderness: Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
• Loss of flexibility: You might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
• Grating sensation: You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling.
• Bone spurs: These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.
• Swelling: This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.

Management and Treatment

While the joint damage caused by osteoarthritis can't be reversed, symptoms can usually be effectively managed. Staying active, maintaining a healthy weight, and receiving certain treatments might slow progression of the disease and help improve pain and joint function.

• Physical Therapy: Strengthening the muscles around the joint provides better support and reduces the load on the cartilage.
• Acupuncture: Many patients find acupuncture highly effective for managing the chronic pain associated with OA. It can help reduce inflammation and stimulate the release of endorphins.
• Manual Therapy: Gentle joint mobilisation and massage can help maintain range of motion and reduce muscle spasms surrounding the arthritic joint.