Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis, characterised by joint pain, swelling, and difficulty with movement of the affected joints. Osteoarthritis is common in older age groups. There are two types of osteoarthritis: primary osteoarthritis and secondary osteoarthritis. Osteoporosis is often associated with osteoarthritis; it is a condition in which the bone becomes weak and vulnerable to fracture. Joint pain has become a common complaint nowadays due to various challenges like obesity, sedentary work schedules, etc. Refer to our Joint Pain chapter to learn more about joint pain in detail.
Types of Osteoarthritis
The normal ageing of bones causes primary osteoarthritis. Ageing causes changes in bone structure, leading to a decrease in bone density, which can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis. However, not everyone who ages develops osteoarthritis.
Secondary osteoarthritis: It is a type of arthritis that develops due to damage to the bone caused by various factors, including trauma, injury, and certain medications.
Causes and Risk Factors of Osteoarthritis
- Family history and genetic predisposition can contribute to the development of Osteoarthritis. It runs in families.
- Ageing: Osteoarthritis is most common in older age.
- Nutritional deficiency: Nutritional deficiency can occur due to an improper diet. Due to this, the health of the bone is disrupted, which can further contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
- Medications
- Obesity
- Other illnesses, like Autoimmune disorders, can lead to osteoarthritis
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis
- Pain and stiffness of the joints
- Tenderness of the joint
- Lack of movement in the joint
- Swelling
- Formation of bone spurs – these are small bony structures that grow around the typical joint. It causes pain, swelling, and restricted joint movements.
Diagnosis of Osteoarthritis
- It is based on detailed medical and physical examination
- Blood tests: Complete Blood Count, Erythrocyte sedimentation Rate, etc
- X-ray
- MRI Scans
- CT Scans etc
Treatment of Osteoarthritis
- Oral Medications
- Intravenous Medication
- Surgical treatment- Total knee replacement.
Diet and Lifestyle for Osteoarthritis
- Eat a nutritious Diet
- Get enough sunlight to receive Vitamin D naturally
- Do regular exercise and joint mobility exercises.
- Get 7-8 hours of adequate sleep.
- Do pranayama
- Follow a healthy lifestyle routine
- Stay hydrated
Consult a doctor as soon as symptoms appear. It provides a clear overview of the diseases, their causes, and proper treatment. This resolves the problem without complications.