Osteoarthritis Myths and Facts

Abstract

Osteoarthritis is composed of two words one is osteo and the other is arthritis. Osteo means bones and arthritis means the degenerative condition of joints. So the mean of osteoarthritis is the condition of bones with the degenerative condition of joints that presents itself primarily as joint pain. In this article, we are going to discuss osteoarthritis Myths and facts.

Introduction Of Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the condition of synovial joints that is considered as focal loss of articular hyaline cartilage and proliferation of bone and remodeling of joints. Joint pain is one of the commonest problems that a doctor sees in his day-to-day practice. Many people come with complaints of joint pain that generally involves various joints such as the hand, knee, and lower back.There are many conditions that present themselves as joint pain and osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is the commonest type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis mainly happens from age between 30 to 65 years. Osteoarthritis mainly occurs at the hand and knee in women and in men, the hip joint is mainly affected.

Osteoarthritis, Myth and Facts

Risk Factor Of Osteoarthritis

With many types of research showing that it may be inherited and other major factors of osteoarthritis are gender, hormonal imbalance, obesity, history of trauma, nonalignment of joints and any sports injury are the commonest risk factors.

Symptoms Of Osteoarthritis

The main characteristic feature of osteoarthritis is the functional restriction and the other is the pain. In osteoarthritis restriction of the hand, knee and hip is the major problem leading to pain. Pain mainly rises at cartilage (cartilage mainly acts as a cushion) and it leaves the bone of the joint more prone to rub against each other. The pain starts over a long time from months to years and it may be intermittent in nature meaning sometimes patients feel pain and sometimes patients have no pain at all. The patient always complains that he is suffering from morning stiffness, which usually lasts for less than 15 minutes. It is advised to the patient please take proper rest because this disease further worsens the condition and it leads to more joint stiffness. The patient also sometimes hears the crackling sounds from the joint involved during the movement. Patients with a long history of osteoarthritis may have nodular swelling around the finger of hand and feet deformity.

Management Of Osteoarthritis

Management of osteoarthritis mainly depends upon the cause of osteoarthritis. Ultimately the goal is to get rid of them like pain and stiffness and make life comfortable. Another important key is the weight reduction if any joint wears the excess weight. Research shows that in 10% of cases weight reduction can reduce 50% of the pain. It is advised to the patient to do exercise in routine. Aerobic and muscle-strengthening exercise produces long-term relief from pain. Also, physiotherapy also helps in severe cases of osteoarthritis.

Myths and Facts

  • Myth – It is the disease of old people.
    Fact – No, It affects people of any age group between 30 to 80 years.
  • Myth – It affects only the hand and knee.
    Fact – No, Osteoarthritis mainly affects the synovial joint like joints of the hand, elbow, shoulder, spine, and hips. In cases like obesity, weight plays an important role.
  • Myth – Osteoarthritis is associated with females only.
    Fact – No, It affects females more than males but the intensity of osteoarthritis is the same for both.
  • Myth – Osteoarthritis is the only cause of joint pain.
    Fact – No, diseases like gout and rheumatoid arthritis can cause joint pain too.
  • Myth – Cracking of joints can cause osteoarthritis.
    Fact – No, there is no relation between cracking of joint and osteoarthritis as it does not lead to any damage or destruction of cartilage bone erosion.
  • Myth – There is no permanent cure for osteoarthritis.
    Fact – No, it can stop the early stages of osteoarthritis and help the patient from permanent disability.
  • Myth – Osteoarthritis worsens with exercise.

    • Fact – No, Exercise gives a very good result in osteoarthritis as it increases muscle strength and reduces pain, it also reduces joint stiffness and helps in better mobility.

Conclusion

Ayurveda plays an essential role in controlling osteoarthritis. So the patients live a healthy life if osteoarthritis is diagnosed in the early stages. A little knowledge and exercise are needed to fight against osteoarthritis and prevent its progress toward permanent disability to the patient. For more queries, you can send mail to our email id herbalremedies123@yahoo.com