Osteoarthritis is better known as osteoarthritis. It is chronic degenerative joint wear and tear.
What is osteoarthritis?
The term osteoarthritis is derived from English and refers to a degenerative disease of the joints, in which there is also a breakdown of cartilage. In this case, the affected individuals suffer from pain and restricted movement. In Germany, the term arthrosis is used instead of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis or arthrosis represents damage to the joints. It starts with the degradation of the joint cartilage. In severe osteoarthritis, remodeling processes take place in the adjacent bone and the surface of the joints is destroyed. As a result, patients suffer from joint stiffness and pain. Sometimes the joints even deform and eventually ossify completely. In principle, osteoarthritis can occur in any joint of the body. In most cases, however, the hip and knee are affected because they have to bear a lot of weight. Especially after the age of 50, the risk of developing osteoarthritis or arthrosis increases. Thus, about 50 percent of all older people suffer from arthritic joint changes. In women, the disease manifests itself more frequently than in men.
Causes
The causes of osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis vary. Often it is caused by a mismatch between the load and the load-bearing capacity of the articular cartilage. As a result, its regression occurs. Sometimes this imbalance is caused by genetic cartilage disorders or incorrect loading. For example, slight misalignments of the hip or an x-leg position can be responsible for uneven loading and thus trigger osteoarthritis of the corresponding joints. Previous injuries, such as capsular ligament injuries or bone fractures, which cause joint instability, are also possible causes of osteoarthritis. Overweight also has a favorable effect on osteoarthritis, because the vertebral joints, the knee and the hip have to bear the resulting body weight. Other conceivable reasons for osteoarthritis are inflammation of the joints or metabolic disorders such as diabetes mellitus, gout or pseudogout (chondrocalcinosis).
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis are stiffness of the joints and joint pain. Especially during physical stress or humid weather, the symptoms are exacerbated. This can be the case, for example, with knee osteoarthritis when going down stairs. Cycling, on the other hand, can almost always be done without pain. Other typical signs of osteoarthritis are a temporary stiffness of the joints in the morning and start-up pain. This refers to pain that occurs during the first movements after a long period of rest. After only a few meters, the start-up pain subsides. The same applies to morning stiffness, which lasts a maximum of only 30 minutes. If the osteoarthritis progresses further, discomfort appears in the cartilage caused by its abrasion. Due to the irritation of the affected joint, it often swells. In addition, it not infrequently fills with fluid and becomes deformed. In the late stages, the patient suffers from joint pain even at rest, which can degenerate into constant pain. It manifests itself mainly at night and often causes sleep disturbances. It is usually triggered by a joint effusion, which sometimes results in irritation and inflammation of the synovial membrane.
Diagnosis and course of the disease
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by its typical symptoms as well as the joint characteristics that the physician can assess externally. At the beginning of the examination, the physician checks the patient for pain on movement, restricted movement, swelling, areas that cause pressure pain, stability of the ligaments, and changes in the skin. In addition, abnormalities in the patient’s gait are often noted when osteoarthritis occurs in the knee or hip. The most important examination is considered to be the taking of X-rays. In this way, characteristic changes such as the development of osteophytes, a narrowing of the joint space, a compression of the bone below the cartilage as well as bone damage can be seen on the X-ray images.In addition, other examination procedures may take place, such as a computer tomography (CT), a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), a sonography (ultrasound examination), a joint puncture and a scintigraphy. An exact determination of the course of the disease of osteoarthritis cannot be made due to the manifold causes. Thus, the disease progresses differently from individual to individual. Without treatment, however, the pain intensifies over time. However, with timely therapy, it is possible to positively influence osteoarthritis. However, a cure cannot be made.
Complications
Due to osteoarthritis, those affected suffer from a number of different complaints. First and foremost, there is severe pain in the joints. This pain occurs not only during stress, but also in the form of pain at rest and thereby has a very negative impact on the quality of life of the affected person. The patients themselves are extremely limited in their everyday life due to osteoarthritis and can no longer perform many activities or sports as usual. Pain on onset also occurs, so that older people in particular suffer from considerable movement restrictions. Furthermore, osteoarthritis also leads to morning stiffness. Those affected also suffer from swelling and deformities in the respective joints. Should the pain of osteoarthritis also occur during the night, it is common to experience sleep discomfort, which can lead to prolonged irritability. If no treatment of the disease occurs, inflammation of the joint or synovial membrane usually occurs. Treatment of osteoarthritis is usually not associated with complications. With the help of medications and various exercises, the symptoms can be limited. In severe cases, an artificial hip joint can also be inserted. The life expectancy of the affected person is not affected by osteoarthritis.
When should you go to the doctor?
If pain occurs in the joint area, a doctor must be consulted. Other symptoms that need clarification are misalignments as well as visible ossifications in the ankle, knee or other parts of the body. If these symptoms occur, a visit to the doctor is indicated. Only the doctor can determine whether it is osteoarthritis. If other symptoms appear, it is best to go to the nearest hospital immediately. In the event of a fall, the injured person must first be treated and then taken to a clinic. In most cases, inpatient treatment for osteoarthritis is then necessary. Persons who have already suffered from joint complaints in the past should inform the responsible physician. Those who are exposed to great physical stress or suffer from other diseases that can cause osteoarthritis must also seek medical help. The family doctor is the first person to contact if osteoarthritis is suspected. In addition, experts in internal medicine as well as an orthopedist or sports physician can be consulted. Therapy is carried out by various specialists depending on the symptom picture.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of osteoarthritis aims to relieve joint pain and help patients regain mobility to improve their quality of life. Conservative measures are used at the beginning of therapy. These may include orthopedic treatment or physical therapy exercises. Reducing excess weight is also considered important. The treatment of pain involves the administration of drugs such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or diclofenac, which are administered in the form of ointments, gels or tablets. During inflammatory phases, injections or joint lavage with cortisone can be used. Injection of hyaluronic acid into the joint is also considered helpful. If the conservative measures do not lead to an improvement of the symptoms, the insertion of an endoprosthesis is possible. This treatment is mainly used in advanced osteoarthritis of the hip and knee joints. In this procedure, a surgeon replaces the worn joint with a prosthesis made of plastic, ceramic or metal.
Outlook and prognosis
The earlier osteoarthritis is diagnosed, the more favorable the prognosis for disease progression. However, the options for treating osteoarthritis are limited. The disease is not curable to date.First and foremost, the symptoms must be alleviated or contained. Control appointments at regular intervals are also relevant for a favorable prognosis. The prognosis depends on how far osteoarthritis has progressed and which joints are affected. The previously widespread assumption that the condition of the patient deteriorates rapidly in every case is no longer tenable today. According to current knowledge, osteoarthritis progresses slowly. Many patients experience a stabilization or even an improvement of their complaints up to freedom from symptoms. Destruction of the joint in a short time, on the other hand, is the exception. In addition, the surgical insertion of an artificial joint is necessary in less than five percent of patients. An overall healthy lifestyle favors the prognosis for a tolerable course of the disease. This includes a varied diet and sufficient exercise while protecting the affected joints. Excess weight has a negative effect on the overall condition of the patient. Weight reduction helps to relieve the joints. Likewise, excessive alcohol and nicotine consumption should be avoided to positively influence the course of the disease.
Prevention
To prevent osteoarthritis, regular exercise and targeted muscle training are recommended. In this way, the joints can be strengthened and excess weight can be reduced.
Aftercare
In the case of osteoarthritis, first and foremost, a doctor should be consulted at a very early stage, so that the occurrence of further complications and complaints can be prevented. For this reason, early diagnosis is paramount in the disease, although the measures and options for follow-up care are significantly limited in most cases. Patients are usually dependent on physical therapy and physiotherapy for osteoarthritis. These therapies should be performed regularly, although the affected person can also repeat many of the exercises themselves in their own home. In general, a healthy lifestyle can also have a positive effect on the further course of the disease, so that the affected person should eat a healthy diet and avoid being overweight. Light sporting exercises can also alleviate the symptoms, although heavy exertion of the entire body should be avoided. Occasionally, some of those affected are also dependent on the help and support of other people in their everyday lives due to osteoarthritis, although contact with other people affected by the disease can also be very useful. This often leads to an exchange of information, which can make everyday life easier. The disease does not reduce the life expectancy of the affected person.
This is what you can do yourself
Often, instead of the term osteoarthritis, the term osteoarthritis is used. The follow-up treatment of osteoarthritis is very important. Due to the often individual course, there are different options for aftercare. Since osteoarthritis is caused by wear and tear on the joints, osteoarthritis itself cannot be cured. Therefore, aftercare focuses on symptom relief. Important points that influence the course of osteoarthritis are diet, lifestyle, exercise and also mental health. If the sufferer is overweight, it makes sense to reduce this in the long term and keep the weight within a normal range. The reduction of the body weight relieves the affected joints and can reduce the pain in the long run. In addition, a healthy lifestyle that strengthens the muscles around the affected areas also helps. Just 20 to 30 minutes of exercise a day is enough to do this. Furthermore, healthy sleep is essential for aftercare. This allows the muscles to recover sufficiently and the pain can be reduced. In addition, there is the possibility of acupuncture, massage therapies and physiotherapies to sustainably increase the quality of life in osteoarthritis. Which treatment is appropriate should be discussed with a knowledgeable physician, as each patient responds differently to treatments. Depending on the severity of the osteoarthritis, additional treatment with medication may also be useful.
