| 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.
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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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