Henry David Thoreau says: “what is called genius is the abundance of life and health”. And we cannot agree more that the secret behind a happy life is a healthy life. By healthy life, we mean physical and mental health. But there is something that pushes mental health to be at its peak, and that something is physical health and disease.
A little pain in your back or a cramp in your knee could spoil a good day and create a cluster of fatigue for your mind. It could regress the pace of your day, affecting you physically as well as mentally. One such dilemma that has become quite prevalent in British is Osteoarthritis.
Research shows that one in ten adults have symptomatic clinically diagnosed Osteoarthritis, in the UK. The Osteoarthritis Treatment UK, as a result of these stats, is trying to develop and advance as much as possible to help the patients with this disease.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is one of the major types of arthritis. Arthritis is a condition in which inflammation occurs in joints, and this inflammation gradually breaks down the joints.
There are more than fifty joint conditions, among which osteoarthritis is known as ‘wear and tear’ arthritis. The repeated stress on the joint cartilage causes the joint to degenerate, leading to OA.
What Joints Might be at the Risk of Developing Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis can develop in any joint of the body. But the joints that have a high risk of being affected with the OA are the weight-bearing joints of the body. Usually, they are the knees and feet. And even in them, the knees are the commonest joints that get affected.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:
The symptoms of OA include:
- The soreness of the joints and the pain in them
- Exercising or being busy in an activity for too long that it starts hurting or immobility in the body parts
- Stiffness followed by resting
- Hard and knobby swelling of the joints
What Factors Cause OA:
There is no exact idea of why osteoarthritis is common to people who live a healthy lifestyle. But several commonalities and statistics suggest that OA can be
- Genetic: Sometimes, OA runs in families. This leads to the idea that OA
Might be caused due to a change in genes.
- Old Age: Progress in age could lead to weakness in the joints. Many other changes that appear old take a toll on joints and hence the osteoarthritis.
- Weight: Being overweight can lead to OA. It is because the joints cannot cope up with the mounting pressure, and they tear apart.
- Gender: Gender is also responsible for the cause of OA. As females have different anatomy as well as hormonal balance, their system is designed such that it is more susceptible to OA.
- Joint Injuries: heavy, laborious tasks frequently done could also lead to OA. Heavy weight lifting and other such tough jobs could injure the joints and allow OA to creep in.
Treatments:
The treatment of the OA varies from patient to patient. Here something important to be noted is that OA cannot be cured completely. The treatment only helps in the reduction of the symptoms or help ease the symptoms.
One basic way to relieve the symptoms of OA is to do exercise. This does not have to be a strenuous exercise. Ja light one, so your joint gets used to different motions and mobility. Physical therapies might also be recommended. If a patient is overweight, they might have to lose weight.
Furthermore, a medications ban be prescribed to a patient suffering from the malady. These medicines would be used by the patient throughout the lifetime, especially if exercises and physical therapies do not work. If the condition gets bad and the person becomes immobile, crutches and other such supports might be advised. In case of the swelling of the muscles, the fluid accumulated is removed through injections.
The last resort to the severe OA condition would be surgery.
Surgery; A possible Treatment to End OA?
Surgeries are opted for if no other treatment works. The type of pain that the patient feels determines the type of surgery the person will have.
Several types of surgeries are mentioned below.
Arthroplasty:
This surgery involves the total replacement of the infected joints. The affected parts of the bone are removed to be replaced with artificial joints. This is a haven from the pain and soreness, but you have to continue implanting the artificial joints into your body as they wear out.
Osteotomy:
This is not so successful in helping out the patient. The surgeon might cut out a part of bone and realign with a healthy bone so much pressure cannot be borne on to the defective part. However, patients have been reported to complain about persisting pain.
Arthroscopy:
This surgery is performed only for removing the leftovers of a defective joint or cartilage. It does not have a good review.
Conclusion:
Recovery without patients’ cooperation is impossible. If you suffer from OA, do not let it weigh your mind. Continue with the treatment and contribute to your healing by having a fighter spirit in you.
