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Manage the Pain of Osteoarthritis
by Kamau Austin
The Mayo Clinic refers to osteoarthritis as a "wear and tear" condition that
effects people as they age. It is a degenerative disease and is the most common
form of arthritis. It is one of the most common causes of disability among
adults. More than 20 million people in the United States have the disease.
Researchers project that in the next 25 years over 20 percent of Americans-
beyond the age of 65 will be at risk for osteoarthritis.
Today, more than half of the population age 65 or older would show x-ray
evidence of osteoarthritis in at least one joint. Both men and women have the
disease with more men getting the disease before age 45, and more women getting
the disease after that point.
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Osteoarthritis is a breakdown in the cartilage between the joints.
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Osteoarthritis may affect any joint in the body and it is characterized by a
breakdown in the cartilage between the joints. The most common joints affected
are the hips, knees, lower back, fingers and feet.
Osteoarthritis often develops slowly and quite often there are no symptoms. A
person affected with the disease may not know that they have it until it is
revealed during a routine x-ray.
People with osteoarthritis may have one or more of the following symptoms.
 Pain in a joint during or after use; or after a period of inactivity, such as after a night's sleep
Pain in a joint during a change in weather
Swelling or pain in a joint, after use
Bony lumps on the end or middle joints of the hands
Loss of flexibility
Interestingly, the first year of onset of the disease may bring acute pain, that
then fades within a year or so of its appearance. This is especially true of
osteoarthritis of the fingers.
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is not known but some researchers believe that
we are more susceptible to osteoarthritis as we age. It may be caused by a
combination of factors, including being overweight, aging, a previous joint
injury, heredity and muscle weakness.
The pain of osteoarthritis can range from that of a minor inconvenience for some
sufferers, to chronic and debilitating for others. In cases where pain is
severe, joint replacement surgery may be considered.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, and treatment is geared towards reducing
pain and increasing joint. Treatment may include medication, physical therapy,
occupational therapy and self-care.
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