Are you dealing with Osteoarthritis?

Are you concerned about a noticeable change in joint appearance, or recent persistent increase in joint pain? This may be a result of Osteoarthritis, but how can you be certain? That's what we will discuss here.

Osteoarthritis is a very common issue that many will experience in some form during their life. Per the Arthritis Foundation, "It is by far the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 32.5 million adults in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention". You may have also heard it referred to as Degenerative Joint Disease. It is called this because it affects your joints by wearing down the tissue in them, which leaves the bones rubbing together during use of the joint. This can result in degradation of cartilage, altering of the shape of the bone, and even breakage of the bone or joint itself. According to NIAMS (National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases), "Bits of bone or cartilage can also break off and float inside the joint space. This causes more damage."

Causes of osteoarthritis can vary, as there isn't a definitive way it is caused. Some cases are simple degradation over time; others are brought on by direct injuries to the joint areas. A bad fall is a potential cause, so too a bad sports injury, or a car accident. Overuse is another potential cause, as are health conditions that affect your joints such as Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Musculoskeletal abnormities can also have a profound effect.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis can vary depending on the specific body part and will not usually be immediate. For example, the fingers may experience bone spurs or growths which cause fingers to swell and become tender. Meanwhile the knees may experience a scraping-like sensation during activity. Some symptoms that remain consistent throughout all body parts include stiffness, limited range of motion, pain in joint during and after activity, muscle weakness in the area, and instability in the joint.

Diagnosing osteoarthritis can be done with a combination of physical tests and imaging. According to an article from the International Journal of Clinical Rheumatology, "Diagnosing osteoarthritis involves a combination of clinical evaluation, medical history review, and imaging studies. X-rays can reveal joint damage, while magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may provide more detailed information about the extent of cartilage loss and other joint abnormalities." Potential plans of care can include medication such as anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, assistive devices like braces and canes, and lifestyle changes which will help protect the joints better. The Arthritis Foundation states that you should seek the opinion of a medical professional if your joint symptoms last more than 3 days, or if your joints experience several of these symptoms within a month's time.