Understanding Osteoarthritis

Did you know Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis that affects millions of people worldwide? It occurs when the protective cartilage that shields the ends of the bones wears down over time. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion around the body. Osteoarthritis can damage any joint in the body; however, the joints in the hands, knees, hips and spine are mostly affected. The symptoms slowly develop and intensify over time. Osteoarthritis symptoms include pain in the affected joint, joint stiffness, tenderness, loss of flexibility, grating sensation, bone spurs and swelling. Osteoarthritis can be managed, despite the irreversible damage to the joint. Maintaining healthy body weight and an active lifestyle as well as getting treatment might slow the progression of the disease. This will aid in improving pain and joint function.

Medical Officer in Internal Medicine at the Annotto Bay Hospital, Dr.Oshane Carter shares more about osteoarthritis on Sunrise. Watch it here:

Osteoarthritis symptoms include: Pain in affected joints might hurt during or after movement. Joint stiffness might be most noticeable after being inactive. The joint may feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it. Loss of flexibility may occur, and you might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion. You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling. Bone spurs can occur these extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint. Swelling might also occur which is caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.

Factors that can increase your risk of osteoarthritis include sex (women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis), obesity, joint injuries and age. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, resulting in chronic pain. Joint pain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult. Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.