Osteoarthritis - The Truth of It

This is a chronic disease involving the joints, and one which is likely to affect most people if they live long enough. It is sometimes referred to as a degenerative joint disease, because as one grows older there is degeneration of the joint cartilage and some overgrowth of bone. People who are overweight are affected, particularly in the weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips. Osteoarthritis also affects the vertebrae of the back and the joints of the fingers. Unlike other forms of arthritis which can result from infection and inflammation, this disease is primarily the result of aging, and wear and tear. It is, however, often associated with repeated joint injury.

Both men and women are affected. It occurs in women about the time of the menopause and seems to affect their hand joints much more often than the hand joints of men.

Symptoms. The condition develops slowly, with few obvious symptoms. Mainly there are joint aches and pains, and stiffness. These appear to be related to exercise of the particular joint involved. Medication generally gives relief. The stiffness is pronounced after the patient has been at rest, and tends to disappear when he is active. As the illness progresses, the osteoarthritic patient develops the characteristics such as knobby fingers, some grafting of the joints in motion, and the formation of bony spurs, which are small projections off the bones.

Complications. There are no serious complications. Sometimes there is pain, and because of this activities of the patient become limited. In severe cases joint changes may interfere with normal activity. The joints are deformed and the back is stiff. Usually this does not affect the patient's general health or curtail his normal life span.

Prevention. Patients who are overweight must take steps to lose weight in order to lessen the strain on the joints. Those who are overactive are advised to get extra rest. Mild exercise and physiotherapy tend to lessen the severity of the disease and keep the joints mobile. Poor habits of diet should be improved. Any known infection should be treated and eliminated even though there is no positive relationship between infection and osteoarthritis.

When the lower spine is involved, patients can use bed boards and corsets to make themselves more comfortable. There are no specific medicines for this disease, and simple remedies are usually suggested.