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Osteoarthritis
People over 50 are probably more likely to be able to answer the question “What is osteoarthritis?” with any certainty than younger age groups. The likelihood of joints wearing out increases over time. Time is an important factor in osteoarthritis, because it is not a condition that develops overnight. Instead, osteoarthritis has several stages of development. Early on, the cartilage actually gets thinner, which causes little to no pain. As the condition progresses, the cartilage becomes frayed, making it harder to distribute the forces acting on the joint evenly. If osteoarthritis progresses further, the cartilage suffers serious damage due to a shorter distance between bones.
Osteoarthritis
What is osteoarthritis?
Chronic wear and tear of a joint is the defining characteristic of osteoarthritis. As the condition progresses, the affected joints degenerate.
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Osteoarthritis: These Are the Most Common Forms
Experts talk about monoarthritis when only one joint is worn out. If the wear and tear affects several joints, it is called polyarthritis.
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint. However, patients are most commonly treated for osteoarthritis in the following joints:
- Knee
- Hip
- Shoulder
- Spine
Help With Osteoarthritis
Treatment usually begins with conservative therapy to stop osteoarthritis progressing and to relieve symptoms:
- ACP for osteoarthritis: ACP therapy for osteoarthritis can relieve pain naturally and restore the balance between cartilage growth and disintegration, thereby improving mobility
- Physical therapy improves mobility and relieves symptoms
- Physical therapy using heat, cold, or electricity lead to better blood circulation in the joints, reducing pain and inflammation
- Taking medication can reduce symptoms and stop inflammation; non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are taken as painkillers
Advice for osteoarthritis
Advice after treatment:
- Be proactive: sufficient, gentle exercise and a healthy diet
- Losing weight helps maintain damaged joints and slow down wear and tear
- Shoe insoles for knee osteoarthritis
- Splints for finger arthritis
- ACP therapy: pain-relieving, regenerating, anti-inflammatory
Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis
Although age is an important factor in the development of osteoarthritis, the following can also encourage osteoarthritis:
- Injuries to the joints, as osteoarthritis can develop there years later
- Strain: lifting heavy loads, sitting down constantly, uncomfortable shoes
- Obesity
- Diseases: Rheumatism causes inflammation of the cartilage, which promotes osteoarthritis; metabolic diseases such as diabetes or gout also promote osteoarthritis
