Osteoarthritis affects each person differently.In some people, it progresses quickly; in others, the symptoms are more serious.Scientists do not know yet what causes the disease, but they suspect a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury, and stresses on the joints from certain jobs and sports activities.

Osteoarthritis affects each person differently.In some people, it progresses quickly; in others, the symptoms are more serious.Scientists do not know yet what causes the disease, but they suspect a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury, and stresses on the joints from certain jobs and sports activities.

Osteoarthritis most often occurs at the ends of the fingers, thumbs, neck, lower back, knees, and hips.Osteoarthritis hurts people in more than their joints: their finances and lifestyles also are affected.

Financial effects include

✅The cost of treatment
✅Wages lost because of disability
Lifestyle effects include

✅Depression
✅Anxiety
✅Feeling of helplessness
✅Limitations on daily activities
✅Job limitations
✅Trouble participating in everyday personal and family joys and responsibilities.

Despite these challenges, most people with osteoarthritis can lead active and productive lives.They succeed by using osteoarthritis treatment strategies, such as the following:

✅Pain relief medications
✅Rest and exercise
✅Patient education and support programmes
✅Learning self-care and having a "good-health attitude".

Apart from a detailed medical history and physical examination, the doctor will recommend various tests to evaluate and diagnose the condition.These include :
✅Blood test for C-reactive protein (elevated in Osteoarthritis).It is also a good predictor of progression of Osteoarthritis.
✅ESR and test for Rheumatoid factor to exclude Rheumatoid arthritis.
✅X-ray of the affected joint which may show loss of joint space, bony marginal lipping and bony projection (spurs)
✅Synovial fluid examination to rule out infection.Presence of cartilage cells in synovial fluid is an indicator of OA.
✅Arthroscopy: TO visualize the joint internally.
✅CT scan or MRI of the affected joint

✅Controlling body weight
✅Taking medication regularly as advised by the doctor.
✅Eat healthy: Take high intake of antioxidants specially vitamin C that reduces the progression of osteoarthritis.Calcium and vitamin D intake should be adequate.✅Taking adequate rest
✅Avoiding joint overuse or repetitive injury
✅Exercise : Isometric (physical exercises in which muscles are made to act against a fixed object) strengthening of supporting muscles around joints may be helpful.Swimming is the best form of aeobic exercise for those with osteoathritis of hip or knees.Running should be avoided.
✅Yoga and other alternative therapies have been scientifically documented to complement the use of drugs.( To see the proper scientific and validated yogic protocol for Arthritis, log on to
www.bestonhealth.com
) Non Medicinal Management
A.Effective Exercise Programme:
B.Heat Therapy
✅Moist heat is better than dry heat.
✅Application of deep heat before starting exercises.
✅Therapies like short wave, microwave & ultrasound are most commonly used.
C.Hydrotherapy:
Hubbard tank hydrotherapy.
D.Patellar tapping:
Patello femoral joint pain is relieved by patellar tapping to pull it medially, followed by quadriceps exercise to strengthen the vastus medialis portion particularly.E.Wedging the heel & sole:
Lateral wedging.
Semi Invasive Techniques:
✅Intra articular steroids like cortisone
✅Intracuticular Hyaluronic acid
✅Arthroscopic knee washouts
Medicinal: ✅NSAIDS ( Non Steroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs) ✅Glucosamine ✅Chondroitin ✅Antioxidant Vitamins Surgery: For patients where the comprehensive medicinal & non-medicinal management has been ineffective, surgical intervention like: ✅Soft tissue release.✅Osteotomy of bones.✅Arthoplasty- THR(Total Hip Replacement),TKR(Total Knee Replacement), etc.Surgical options available are: ✅Arthroscopy & Arthroscopic debridement ✅Osteotomy (Alteration of joint biomechanics by joint realignment) ✅Joint replacement (Total Joint replacement, hemiarthroplasty, unicompartmental arthroplasty) ✅Arthrodesis (Surgical fusion of the joint) Aims of artificial joints are: ✅Patient should be able to perform all activities of daily living.✅Joint replacement should last more than the life of the patient.✅The patient should be able to play sports.✅The total joint should be a cost saving surgery.Hip:Ball & Socket joint. ✅Ball : attached to the top of the femur ✅Socket : Part of the pelvis

It is estimated that 1kg of extra body weight increases 10kg of extra vertical load on the knee joints.Hence, losing weight can help you to reduce this excess load on your joints and lessen the symptoms.

High-impact and weight-bearing exercises such as jogging, skipping, basketball, running, weight lifting should be avoided by osteoarthritis patients.

Warm bath, Jacuzzi or hot shower, hot water bottle and cold packs do reduce pain, swelling and stiffness in Osteoarthritis.