Facts About Osteoarthritis

According to the CDC, around 32 million Americans have been suffering from osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease affecting the joints. It happens because the cartilage found between the joint areas is vulnerable to wearing and tearing over time. Symptoms that may persist include inflammation, pain, and stiffness. As a result, it hampers your day-to-day living. 

Osteoarthritis can start on the parts of the body where joints are located. Examples include knees, hips, spine, hands, and fingers. Unless you undergo an X-ray or symptoms start to arise, osteoarthritis can remain undetected.  

When you get older, you are more at risk of osteoarthritis.  Before severe damage happens to your joints, self-care, early diagnosis, and management of your health and lifestyle must be prioritized as preventive measures. 

Causes Of Osteoarthritis

• Overexertion of the Joints. Doing continuous, repetitive, and extreme physical activities that directly affect the joints and cause the cartilage to be overused may put you at risk of osteoarthritis. For instance, executing weightlifting squats requires bending, is repetitive in motion, and places heavy strain on your joints. However, there are joint-friendly exercises that can benefit your joints and bones in general.
• Getting Injured. An injury can be one of the causes of developing osteoarthritis. People who are prone to injuries like athletes are also at risk of possible osteoarthritis in the future. When injuries are near your joints, they may cause damage to your cartilage.
• Overweight and Obesity. Too much weight causes pain in your back, hips, and knees that poses different problems in your skeletal system. Your joints are more likely to get a high amount of pressure from the excess weight in your body. It is recommended to maintain a healthy weight with proper diet and exercise.
• Existing Disease. If you already have other related diseases in your bones like rheumatoid arthritis, you have a higher chance of developing osteoarthritis. 

How Osteoarthritis Is Treated

Your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs and pain relievers to alleviate the excruciating and debilitating pain. There are cases wherein you need to use support like crutches to be able to stand or walk. In most cases, physicians recommend physical therapy for faster recuperation and educate you with the right therapeutic exercises suitable for your condition. If these treatment options don’t work, your doctor may suggest that you have surgery.