Osteoarthritis

OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA): Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis and  is one of the most common joint disorders worldwide. Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff.It happens when the cartilage that lines your joints is worn down or damaged and your bones rub together when you use that joint. A healthcare provider will help you find a combination of treatments to manage your symptoms. Osteoarthritis can affect any of your joints, but most commonly develops in your:

1. Hands.
2. Knees.
3. Hips.
4. Neck (cervical spine).
5. Lower back (lumbar spine).

OSTEOARTHRITIS  CAUSES

Actual cause is unknown, despite  several parameters can be the causes and generate risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:

1. Joint injury : Fatigue of joints and not giving ample time time to heal after an injury or operation.
2. Joint Wear & Tear : Normal wear and tear of using your joints throughout your life.
3. Secondary arthritis : osteoarthritis can happen in joints severely damaged by a previous or existing condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout
4. Age : Age one age up the chances of developing osteoarthritis rises.
5. Family history : Though no studies reveal despite osteoarthritis may run in families. 
6. Obesity : Exess of body weight adds strain on joints, mainly those joints that sustain majority of body weight (knees , hips)
7. Gender :  osteoarthritis is more common in women than men

OSTEOARTHRITIS  SYMTOMS

1. Joint pain
2. Joint stiffness
3. Movement of joint.
4. Swelling near joints
5. Tenderness
6. Grating or Crackling sound on affected joints, while movement

PROBLEMS  IN OSTEOARTHRITIS 

For many people, OA is a source of chronic pain that can be exhausting and debilitating.
It can also lead to problems with anxiety and depression.

Sleep disruption

• Achy, tender joints interfere with restful, restorative sleep and  can make your pain seem intensified.
• Stiffness and limited range of motion can also refrain from sleep.

Reduced productivityArthritis can also result in a decreased ability to perform normal everyday activities such as:

• household chores
• Skip office
• cooking
• getting dressed
• exercise and other activities

Weight gain

1. Pain and stiffness can decrease your desire to be active. You may stop wanting to participate in activities that used to bring you joy.
2. Arthritis may cause a decreased ability to exercise or even walk.
3. The lack of activity doesn’t only limit your enjoyment of life — it can cause weight gain.
4. Extra weight may exacerbate OA symptoms, as well as lead to an increased risk of other complications, including:

• diabetes
• hypertension
• heart disease
• Anxiety and depression

Other problems : Other complications that can arise from OA include:

1. Bone death (osteonecrosis)
2. Dtress fractures
3. bleeding or infection in joints
4. Deterioration of tendons and ligaments around joints
5. Pinched nerve, in OA of the spine

RISK FACTORS

Its prevalence is increasing because of the growing aging of the population in developed and developing countries as well as an increase in risk factors leading to OA, particularly obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

Risk factors of OA can be divided into

1. Person-level factors (age, gender, obesity, genetics and diet) and
2. Joint-level factors (injury, malalignment and abnormal loading of the joints) that interact in a complex manner. OA is the 11th cause of disability in the world.

• It is responsible for activity limitations, particularly walking, and affects participation and quality of life.
• Patients with OA are at greater risk of all-cause mortality, particularly for cardiovascular diseases, than the general population.
• This excess mortality is closely associated with disability leve

TREATMENTS