Osteoarthritis finally caught up to me after a good few years of running track and constantly being on my feet. As I usually do with less personal diseases that afflict me, I want to sortve put this up as a teaching lesson This is a long post as i want it to be informative and accurate, I'll be sort of treating this as an essay that I would present in class (no intext citations, but I will use references and put them at the end) If you have questions, I'd love to answer.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is a chronic joint disease that can affect anyone, but is more typically seen in young adults (18) and up. While it can attack any joint, it's most common in weight bearing joints (Hips, knees, ankles), the spine, and hands / wrists (for me, it affects my left knee, my left wrist, and my jaw). It is a progressive disease, meaning it continues to get worse and worse, as well as a degenerative disease.
How does it affect the body?
As briefly mentioned, it affects the cartilage of the joints. Naturally and overtime, the cartilage that allows our joints to move with smooth ease will wear down. When this happens, bone will rub against bone causing a painful grating sensation and bone spurs. Cartilage does not regenerate, so if left untreated; it can cause serious bone deformity as well as more severe pain. Cartilage can be worn down faster if a person is obese, have a history of previous repeated injury to the afflicted joint(s), have other metabolic diseases (such as diabetes), or have family members with an increased risk of Osteoarthritis (it is oftentimes hereditary if a person has a family history of a quicker wear-down of cartilage).
Cures and Treatments
There is no cure for Osteoarthritis, but there are treatments that slow the progression and alleviate the pain that comes with it. There is also surgerical procedures that replace the worn cartilage with a plate as well as a procedure including five injections to the site of pain. It's highly recommended to exercise the joint as much as possible as Osteoarthritis can take away flexibility in the joint. The main point of treatment, as previously mentioned, is to slow the progression as much as possible as reversal is not possible outside of surgery and even then, the joint is still never the same. Many use orthopedic braces (known also as Durable Medical Equipment or DME) to support joints and alleviate pressure on weight bearing joints (I personally use a metal orthopedic brace on my knee; it holds the joint in place while allowing me to walk with a minimal limp and without cane assistance, of which i used to have to use previously).
Who is primarily at risk?
As previously mentioned; people who are overweight are at an exceptionally high risk for developing Osteoarthritis, especially in weight bearing areas such as the knees. Women are also more susceptible as well as an increased risk with age.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, like many other diseases, this may be inevitable to some due to any of the previously listed reasons or purely due to older age. Due to it being very commonplace, however, it is very well researched and preventative treatment is always improving.
REFERENCES USED:
www.niams.nih.gov
www.hopkinsmedicine.org
www.who.int
www.veteranshealthlibrary.va.gov
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and is a chronic joint disease that can affect anyone, but is more typically seen in young adults (18) and up. While it can attack any joint, it's most common in weight bearing joints (Hips, knees, ankles), the spine, and hands / wrists (for me, it affects my left knee, my left wrist, and my jaw). It is a progressive disease, meaning it continues to get worse and worse, as well as a degenerative disease.
How does it affect the body?
As briefly mentioned, it affects the cartilage of the joints. Naturally and overtime, the cartilage that allows our joints to move with smooth ease will wear down. When this happens, bone will rub against bone causing a painful grating sensation and bone spurs. Cartilage does not regenerate, so if left untreated; it can cause serious bone deformity as well as more severe pain. Cartilage can be worn down faster if a person is obese, have a history of previous repeated injury to the afflicted joint(s), have other metabolic diseases (such as diabetes), or have family members with an increased risk of Osteoarthritis (it is oftentimes hereditary if a person has a family history of a quicker wear-down of cartilage).
Cures and Treatments
There is no cure for Osteoarthritis, but there are treatments that slow the progression and alleviate the pain that comes with it. There is also surgerical procedures that replace the worn cartilage with a plate as well as a procedure including five injections to the site of pain. It's highly recommended to exercise the joint as much as possible as Osteoarthritis can take away flexibility in the joint. The main point of treatment, as previously mentioned, is to slow the progression as much as possible as reversal is not possible outside of surgery and even then, the joint is still never the same. Many use orthopedic braces (known also as Durable Medical Equipment or DME) to support joints and alleviate pressure on weight bearing joints (I personally use a metal orthopedic brace on my knee; it holds the joint in place while allowing me to walk with a minimal limp and without cane assistance, of which i used to have to use previously).
Who is primarily at risk?
As previously mentioned; people who are overweight are at an exceptionally high risk for developing Osteoarthritis, especially in weight bearing areas such as the knees. Women are also more susceptible as well as an increased risk with age.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, like many other diseases, this may be inevitable to some due to any of the previously listed reasons or purely due to older age. Due to it being very commonplace, however, it is very well researched and preventative treatment is always improving.
REFERENCES USED:
NIAMS Health Information on Osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis? It damages the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones, causing bones to rub together, producing pain, swelling, and loss of motion.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis, the most common form of arthritis, is a chronic, degenerative joint disease that affects mostly middle-aged and older adults.
Osteoarthritis
WHO fact sheet on osteoarthritis including signs and symptoms, causes, treatments and WHO response.
What Is Osteoarthritis? | Veterans Affairs
Osteoarthritis is a disease that causes the cartilage in your joints to break down. Osteoarthritis becomes more common as people get older. Read on to learn more.
Thank you <3