Help With The Pain of Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of arthritis that is sometimes called degenerative joint disease (DJD), affects approximately one out of every ten people in both the United States and Canada.

• Until as recently as the late 1980s, the condition was merely thought to be an inevitable part of the aging process. However, years of scientific research on cartilage and bone formation has led to the discovery of several different contributing factors, and divides the disease into two types; primary or secondary osteoarthritis.

• Primary osteoarthritis most often affects the joints of the fingers, toes, knees, hips, or parts of the spine. This type of OA is caused by stress on weakened joints, gradually causing breakdown of cartilage between the bones. Heredity may even play a significant role in whether or not a person develops OA, as the condition seems to appear more often in some families.

• Abnormal stresses on the weight-bearing joints, from causes such as obesity, speeds up the breakdown of cartilage. Once the cushiony joint cartilage is worn away, bones are unprotected, resulting in inflammation, and a thickening of parts of the bone referred to as spurs. Besides doing more damage and causing more inflammation, bone spurs can be rather painful. Even a ten pound weight loss is helpful for reducing pain caused by osteoarthritis in the knee joints.

• Secondary osteoarthritis is the result of a sudden or chronic injury to any of the joints of the body. Secondary OA may be caused by a sports injury, repetitive stress from one’s occupation, episodes of gout, metabolic disorders, or even from poor posture.

• Most people with primary osteoarthritis are over the age of 50, and by the age of 65, an estimated half of the population will have the condition in at least some of their joints. A person of any age may develop secondary osteoarthritis.

The risk factors of osteoarthritis include:

- Excess weight.

- Heredity

- Excessive wear and tear on the joints.

- Joint injury or joint damage from another type of arthritis.

The common signs of osteoarthritis include:

- Stiffness, swelling, and joint pain lasting longer than two weeks.

- Aching in the joints following any type of physical activity.

- Grating sensations when using the joints.

Pain management

• A complete pain management program that includes a proper diagnosis along with other vital components such as exercise, nutrition, and stress reduction are essential for osteoarthritis care. Treatment plans for OA are tailored to individual needs and the severity of the condition, and may include the use of over-the-counter or prescription medication.

• There are many different types of medication that can help control symptoms of osteoarthritis, including acetaminophen, which is usually the first used to treat mild cases of OA. The majority of people diagnosed with osteoarthritis are prescribed non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, referred to as NSAIDS. While ibuprofen and analgesics are useful for helping reduce inflammation and pain, they aren’t able to stop the progression of the disease.

• Although there is no cure for the condition, certain lifestyle changes may help slow down or limit the symptoms associated with osteoarthritis. The pain and discomfort associated with OA may also cause adverse emotional effects, such as depression and anxiety.

Steps to reduce the emotional effects of osteoarthritis include:

- Keep an upbeat sense of humor: Attitude is extremely important when dealing with a chronic condition such as OA. Thinking pleasant, positive thoughts can really make a difference in how a person deals with pain, as well as how favorably they respond to treatment.

- Remain as active as possible: Enjoying time with family or friends is important when coping with an illness, particularly one that may be physically debilitating.

- Practice relaxation techniques: Stress and tension have negative effects on the body that are similar to those caused by physical pain. Learning relaxation techniques can reduce these effects and help you to better manage your pain. Experiment with different ways of relaxation or meditation, learning how to calm and control your mind.

Steps to reduce the physical effects of osteoarthritis include:

- Get regular exercise: A program recommended by a doctor, physical therapist, or exercise physiologist should include exercises that keep the joints flexible, such as range-of-motion exercises. Low-impact exercises like swimming and walking may also be helpful for reducing pain. Exercise not only helps relieve some of the symptoms of OA, but also strengthens your heart and lungs, improving your overall health.

- Eat a well-balanced diet: A well-balanced diet rich with fruits and vegetables helps to maintain a healthy weight, and also gives the body the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to function properly.

- Get the proper amount of sleep: Sleeping gives the body and its joints time to rest, reducing inflammation and swelling.

- Take your medication: Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions to help control symptoms of arthritis with medication.

- Use hot or cold treatments: Heat stimulates the flow of blood and also helps the muscles to relax. Cold treatments are especially helpful for reducing inflammation and swelling. Ask your doctor which treatment, or a combination of both, may be right for you.

- Get a gentle massage: Ask your doctor to recommend a trained professional, one that has worked with people who have arthritis, and reap the benefits of a gentle, soothing massage. You can also massage your own muscles, bringing relaxation to stiff, painful joints. A massage should cause no pain and should never be done on joints that are very swollen or inflamed.

• The majority of people with osteoarthritis won’t ever require surgery, however, in severe cases, damaged joints may be replaced with artificial parts, or parts of the bone may be removed and then realigned. The hip and knee joints are the most common to be replaced or repaired in people with osteoarthritis. In Sweden, intricate surgical procedures were developed to transplant cartilage to damaged joints, reducing pain and facilitating movement.

• Ancient Chinese medicine involves the use of herbal poultices, and ingested doses of herbal formulations for the treatment of osteoarthritis. In China, moxibustion, the act of warming the skin with an herbal wick, is also used to ease the pain of OA.

Children and arthritis

• Nearly 300,000 children and over eight million young people aged 18 to 44 in the United States alone have some form of arthritis. It’s important to explore alternative options for children with the condition, as adult medications may not be appropriate or effective at reducing pain. A gentle exercise program coupled with a stress reduction program may be necessary.

• Whether it’s some form of juvenile arthritis, or any other type of disease, a proper diagnosis by a physician is imperative for successfully reducing pain. Only a qualified doctor can determine the best type of treatment plan based on the particular type of arthritis and its severity, as well as the patient’s age and overall health.

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