Osteoarthritis at a glance:
Osteoarthritis can occur due to numerous reasons. Be it genetics, aging or injury from trauma or disease, osteoarthritis can hit due to any of these reasons. The chances of occurrence increase automatically as one’s age progresses. The cartilage of an aged person has more chances of damage as it has undergone much wearing with age. In females, after the age of 55, the chances of arthritis increase and it is more commonly found in females above this age rather than men belonging to the same age group. The cartilage in our joints is usually meant to protect our bones from shock and allow smooth sliding of bones. Osteoarthritis is a condition that directly affects the cartilage in the joints. When talking about knee joints which bear a lot of body weight, osteoarthritis can be very painful. Osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis which directly affects the cartilage in the joints. It causes deformities in bones around the affected joints. Heberden’s node and Bouchard’s node are two examples of bone spurs in this type of arthritis. Successfully treating osteoarthritis can improve pain and inflammation in joints. The target of osteoarthritis treatment is to improve and maintain healthy and functioning joints.
Symptoms and diagnosis of Osteoarthritis:
Osteoarthritis has apparent symptoms that can lead one to consider visiting a doctor as soon as any of these symptoms appear. Stiffness of joints is one apparent symptom of osteoarthritis. Swelling of joints is also an indication of this condition. Usually, a sufferer of osteoarthritis reports pain and crunching feeling in the joint, on movement. This crunching feeling is a result of two joint bones rubbing together. In some of the patients, rest and avoiding unnecessary movement does relieve pain. However, osteoarthritis is often confused with rheumatoid arthritis. For this reason, consulting a professional medical practitioner should be of top-notch priority.
Dealing with the condition of osteoarthritis at an early stage can help curb many serious problems. Consulting a doctor regarding any signs and symptoms can also help in learning about other prevailing conditions. A doctor may prescribe a few tests to rule out the possibility of any other prevailing conditions. Once this area of doubt has been dealt with satisfaction, you can carry out making the quality of your life better with the help of a doctor.
How can a doctor help Osteoarthritis patients?
A doctor can help an osteoarthritis patient alter the lifestyle to make the condition better over time. This may include implementing major changes to lifestyle like: maintaining a healthy body weight, controlling pain and leading a healthy life overall. Pain relieving techniques that do not include drugs can also be made use of, as prescribed by the doctor. Consulting a doctor also helps in making healthy decisions. A doctor can refer an osteoarthritis patient to an orthopaedist, if there is a need for surgery. A team of multiple professionals can be used to provide care for osteoarthritis patients. Primary care physicians, Rheumatologists, Orthopaedists, Physical therapists, Occupational therapists, Dietitians, Nurse Educators, Physiatrists (rehabilitation specialists), licensed acupuncture therapists, Psychologists, Social workers, Chiropractors and Massage therapists can all provide help in fighting osteoarthritis successfully.
If you are suffering from knee pain and are aimlessly waiting for a solution, then the solution is just clicks away. Contact our highly credible and professional doctor, Dr. Kevin, at: (+65) 6471 2698 or Email Us