| How
Do Your Know If You Have Osteorarthritis?
Usually, osteoarthritis comes
on slowly. Early in the disease, joints may ache after physical
work or exercise. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint. Most
often it occurs at the hands, hips, knees, or spine.
Cartilage: the Key to Healthy
Joints
Cartilage is 65 to 80 percent water. Three other substances
make up the rest of cartilage tissue: collagen, proteoglycans,
and chondrocytes.
Collagen (KAHL-uh-jen). A fibrous
protein. Collagen is also the building block of skin, tendon,
bone, and other connective tissues.
Proteoglycans (PRO-tee-uh-GLY-kanz). A combination of proteins
and sugars. Strands of proteoglycans and collagen weave together
and form a mesh-like tissue. This allows cartilage to flex
and absorb physical shock.
Chondrocytes (KAHN-druh-sytz). Cells that grow all through
the cartilage. They mainly help cartilage stay healthy and
grow. Sometimes, however, they release substances called enzymes
that destroy collagen and other proteins. Researchers are
trying to learn more about chondrocytes.
Hands: Osteoarthritis of the
fingers is the one type of the disease that seems to be hereditary;
that is, it runs in families. More women than men have it,
especially after menopause. Small, bony knobs appear on the
end joints of the fingers. They are called Heberden’s
nodes. Similar knobs (called Bouchard’s [boo-SHARDZ]
nodes) can appear on the middle joints of the fingers. Fingers
can become enlarged and gnarled, and may ache or be stiff
and numb. The base of the thumb joint is also commonly affected
by osteoarthritis. This kind of osteoarthritis can be helped
by medications, splints, or heat treatment.
Knees: The knees are the body’s primary weight-bearing
joints. For this reason, they are among the joints most commonly
affected by osteoarthritis. They may be stiff, swollen, and
painful, making it hard to walk, climb, get in and out of
chairs, and use bathtubs. If not treated, osteoarthritis in
the knees can lead to disability. Medications, losing weight,
exercise, and walking aids can reduce pain and disability.
In severe cases, knee replacement surgery may be helpful.
Hips: Osteoarthritis in the
hip can cause pain, stiffness, and severe disability. People
may feel the pain in their hips, or in their groin, inner
thigh, or knees. Walking aids such as canes or walkers can
reduce stress on the hip. Osteoarthritis in the hip may limit
moving and bending. This can make daily activities such as
dressing and foot care a challenge. Walking aids, medication,
and exercise can help relieve pain and improve motion. The
doctor may recommend hip replacement if the pain is severe
and not helped by other methods.
Spine: Stiffness and pain in
the neck or in the lower back can result from osteoarthritis
of the spine. Weakness or numbness of the arms or legs can
also result. Some people feel better when they sleep on a
firm mattress or sit using back support pillows. Others find
help from heat treatment or an exercise program to strengthen
the back and abdominal muscles. In severe cases, the doctor
may suggest surgery to reduce pain and help restore function.
The Warning Signs of Osteoarthritis
Steady or intermittent pain in a joint
Stiffness after getting out of bed
Joint swelling or tenderness in one or more joints
A crunching feeling or sound of bone rubbing on bone
Hot, red, or tender? Probably not osteoarthritis. Check with
your doctor about other causes, such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Not always pain. Not everyone with osteoarthritis feels pain.
In fact, only a third of people with osteoarthritis in their
x rays report pain or other symptoms.
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