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Osteoarthritis develops when cartilage – which covers the surface of bones – starts to deteriorate. Thinning cartilage roughens, meaning the joints don’t move as smoothly as they should.
Versus Arthritis explained that worn and damaged cartilage triggers the repair response in the body.
However, when the response process goes awry, changes to the joint structure can cause pain, swelling and difficulty in moving the joint.
Examples of joint changes include extra bones forming at the end of the joint; these growths are known as osteophytes.
Osteophytes can become visible as “firm, knobbly swellings” on the finger joints.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in the affected joints.
Weather and diet can play a role in the onset of symptoms with people who have the condition.
For example, changes in the weather tend to trigger flare-ups of osteoarthritis.
This is especially true when “atmospheric pressure is falling”, just before it rains.
Some people may find tat certain foods seem to “increase or lessen their pain and other symptoms”.
Moreover, the affected joint(s) may “make grating or crackling sounds as you move it” – this is known as crepitus.
Who is affected?
Osteoarthritis tends to begin from the late 40s onwards, and is more common and severe in women.
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Risk factors
Risk factors include obesity and joint injury caused by “very hard, repetitive activity or demanding jobs”.
There is a genetic component to the condition too, as “the genes we inherit can affect the likelihood of getting osteoarthritis at the hand, knee or hip”.
Some rare forms of the condition are linked to “mutations of single genes that affect a protein called collagen”.
This can result in osteoarthritis appearing in many joints at an earlier age.
Treatment options depend on your symptoms and how they impact your day-to-day life.
A physical examination performed by your doctor will take many factors into account. Examples include:
- Tenderness over the joint
- Creaking or grating of the joint – known as crepitus
- Bony swelling
- Excess fluid
- Restricted movement
- Joint instability
Weakness or thinning of the muscles that support the joint.
A doctor may refer you to a specialist if you need help managing your condition.
A referral may be made for physiotherapy, occupational therapy or podiatry for foot issues.
Although there’s no cure for the condition, pain relief medications are available.
Moreover, strengthening exercises along aerobic exercise are encouraged to prohibit stiffness of the joints.
During painful flare-ups, the use of heat (such as a hot water bottle) can help ease pain.
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