Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis. \u00a0It is a chronic condition in which the material that cushions the joints, called cartilage, breaks down. This causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of joint movement. The cause is not fully understood.<\/p>\n

Causes <\/b><\/p>\n

Cartilage is a firm rubbery substance that covers the end of bones and acts as a cushion or shock absorber between bone ends. Osteoarthritis causes the progressive breakdown and wearing away of the cartilage, leaving the bone ends unprotected. As this occurs, the joint can become painful, stiff, difficult to move and eventually, swollen.<\/p>\n

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Osteoarthritis can be classified as primary or secondary.\u00a0\u00a0Primary osteoarthritis has an unknown cause but is generally associated with ageing. It is sometimes referred to as \u201cwear and tear\u201d arthritis.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Secondary osteoarthritis is the destruction of cartilage from a known cause. Conditions that lead to cartilage loss include injury, obesity, gout, infection, congenital abnormalities (abnormalities present at birth) or joint surgery.<\/p>\n

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Graphic courtesy of A. Bonsall and MedicineNet.com<\/i><\/p>\n

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Osteoarthritis can occur at any time of life but the incidence increases with age. It usually affects people over 40 years of age.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Approximately 50 percent of people over 60 years of age are affected in at least one joint. Virtually all people over the age of 80 years suffer from osteoarthritis to some extent.<\/p>\n

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Osteoarthritis usualy occurs in the nads and weight-bearing joints such as hips, knees, feet and spine.\u00a0\u00a0It does not usually affect the shoulder, wrist, elbow or jaw\u00a0unless as a result of unusual stress or injury.<\/p>\n

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Common risk factors for developing osteoarthritis include:<\/p>\n

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• Age<\/li>\n
• Being overweight<\/li>\n
• Female gender – the condition is more common and more severe in women<\/li>\n
• Heredity – the condition, particularly where it affects the hands and fingers, tends to run in families.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Some occupations that involve repetitive heavy activity may damage joints and make them more prone to osteoarthritis later in life.<\/p>\n

  Signs and symptoms<\/b><\/p>\n

  The most common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:<\/p>\n

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  Pain<\/b>
  \nPain is the most common symptom of osteoarthritis. It is usually made worse by moving the joint or placing weight on it, and it is usually relieved by rest.\u00a0\u00a0 As the condition progresses and inflammation develops, pain may become constant.<\/p>\n

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  Stiffness<\/b>
  \nStiffness of the affected joint is often noticed first thing in the morning, and after resting.<\/p>\n

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  Swelling<\/b>
  \nSwelling, which is sometimes warm to touch, may be noticeable in an arthritic joint.<\/p>\n

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  Deformity<\/b>
  \nDeformity can occur with osteoarthritis due to bone growths and cartilage loss. Bone growths in the end joints of the fingers are called Heberden\u2019s nodes. Bouchard\u2019s nodes are bone growths in the middle joints of the fingers. Degeneration of knee cartilage can result in the outward curvature of knees (bow- leggedness).<\/p>\n

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  Crepitus<\/b>
  \nCrepitus (a crackling sound or grating feeling) may be noticed when an arthritic joint is moved. This is caused by bone rubbing against bone or roughened cartilage.<\/p>\n

  Diagnosis <\/b><\/p>\n

  Osteoarthritis is often able to be diagnosed by its characteristic symptoms of\u00a0pain, decreased movement and\/or deformity.\u00a0 Osteoarthritis maybe confirmed with an x-ray or MRI scan. Common findings include narrowing of the joint space between bones, a loss of cartilage and bone spurs or bone growths.<\/p>\n

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  Blood tests may be used to exclude other possible conditions but they cannot diagnose osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n

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  Physical Therapy<\/b><\/p>\n

  Physical therapy and exercise are important components in the treatment of osteoarthritis and can help you achieve and maintain optimal mobility. Exercise helps to increase flexibility, maintain range of motion of the joint, strengthen surrounding muscles, decrease associated inflammation, and improve overall fitness. The physical therapist can also make recommendations regarding the use of assistive equipment (such as a cane or walker) and the proper footwear to make walking less painful. The therapist can also guide you on the use of cold or heat therapy to manage joint pain and swelling.<\/p>\n

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  Before beginning an exercise program, it is important that you consult with your physician and an experienced physical therapist. The wrong exercises can place undue stress on the joint and exacerbate your condition.<\/p>\n

  Our team in Rehab Experts provides comprehensive and dynamic physical therapy home services to adult patients with musculoskeletal problems resulting from osteoarthritis of the shoulders, hips, knees, and spine. Rehab Experts also specializes in rehabilitative care for individuals who have undergone total joint replacement surgery.<\/p>\n

  Through a team approach that includes the patient, therapist, and physician, its specially trained physical therapists develop individualized programs to help patients achieve their goals and reach their maximum functional potential. They offer a broad spectrum of individualized therapeutic exercise in tandem with the most up-to-date manual techniques, modalities, exercise equipment, and treatment approaches.<\/p>\n

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  Reference:<\/p>\n

  Hospital For Surgery http:\/\/www.hss.edu\/osteoarthritis-rehabilitation-exercise.asp<\/a><\/p>\n

  Arthritis Foundation http:\/\/www.arthritis.org\/conditions-treatments\/disease-center\/osteoarthritis\/<\/a><\/p>\n

  Southern Cross Healthcare Group https:\/\/www.southerncross.co.nz\/aboutthegroup\/healthresources\/medicallibrary\/tabid\/178\/vw\/1\/itemid\/132\/osteoarthritis-symptoms-diagnosis-treatment.aspx<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common forms of arthritis. \u00a0It is a chronic condition in which the material that cushions the joints, called cartilage, breaks down. This causes the bones to rub against each other, causing stiffness, pain and loss of joint movement. The cause is not fully understood. Causes Cartilage is a […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":621,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[17,5,8,22,42],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-620","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-home-service","category-home-theraphy","category-physical-theraphy-2","category-physical-therapy-home-service","category-physical-therapy-home-service-manila","has-thumb"],"yoast_head":"\n