Osteoarthritis:

Living with Osteoarthritis

Arthritis is a leading cause of disability in the United States, affecting more than 42 million Americans. Although most of us think of stiff painful joints when we hear the word arthritis, there are actually about 100 different types of the disease.

The most common type of arthritis is osteoarthritis. It usually does not occur before age 45, but it can affect younger people. Degenerative changes occur in our joints over time. These changes are usually wear and tear related. As we lead an active life, the cartilage in the joint begins to wear away.

The symptoms associated with osteoarthritis include pain and swelling in your joints when you are active. There may also be inflammation in the joint causing warmth around the joint. If you have any of these symptoms, contact your physician to determine if you do have arthritis. Examination of your joints, x-rays and laboratory tests can help determine the changes that have occurred in your joints, cartilage and joint fluid to help determine the stages of your arthritis disease.

Osteoarthritis can be treated without surgery in three ways: with medication, injections and exercise. Medications can help you reduce the pain and inflammation. Aspirin and aspirin-related medications help reduce the inflammation in the affected joints. Your physician may prescribe use of ice, heat or topical creams to help relieve the symptoms. Anti-inflammatory drugs are also used to treat the discomforts related to arthritis. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) are found in a group of drugs that are effective in treating arthritis. Common side effects with NSAIDs are upset stomach, abdominal pain, diarrhea, bloating and heartburn.

A new class of anti-inflammatory drugs is the Cox-2 Inhibitors. These new drugs may promise to be as effective as NSAIDs with fewer side effects. Because these drugs are relatively new, more research needs to be conducted to determine the effects of their long-term use. Dietary supplements may be helpful, but consult your physician first.

Joint injections are used when a joint is badly inflamed. Steroid injection reduces the local inflammation, reducing the pain of the affected joint. Other preparations such as Synvisc and Hyalgen can also be injected into the joint to provide long-term relief for the patient with osteoarthritis.

Exercise is extremely important. It strengthens the muscles surrounding the joints, helps to keep bones and cartilage strong, maintains joint flexibility and reduces feelings of stiffness. Exercise improves a person’s overall fitness level and causes the body to release endorphins, which can help to reduce feelings of pain, improve mental outlook and reduce stress.

If you have arthritis, work with your physician in developing a plan of treatment, so you too can live … and live well … with arthritis.

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