Movement of the human body happens as a result of coordinated movement between the bones and the muscles. There are also cartilages that enable bones to move over and against each other, enabling body movement. Like other body parts, these are also prone to normal wear and tear. This causes bone movement to become less elastic, more rigid, and painful. This pain and inflammation of the bone joints is termed medically as osteoarthritis. It is one of the degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the bones and is a chronic condition.
Causes
As noted above, the main cause of osteoarthritis is aging. However, injuries with damage to the bones and muscles also cause osteoarthritis. With obesity on the rise, many patients are experiencing osteoarthritis as a result of increased weight gain also, as the bones are not able to take the excessive weight.
Symptoms
The most common symptoms include painful and stiff joints. When the movement becomes painful, there is lesser mobility, thereby leading to more weight gain. In severe cases, there could also be swelling of the joints. There could be a "crackling" sound that is typical of onset of osteoarthritis. The stiffness is more common during the later hours of the day and after prolonged period of inactivity, for instance, sitting for long hours.
Diagnosis
Though the symptoms associated with injury and/or old age can be quite diagnostic, a doctor can confirm with a formal checkup if it is indeed osteoarthritis. X-rays and test of the joint fluid can also be used for further confirmation.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis needs to be treated in a multi-pronged approach. As noted earlier, this condition leads to a vicious cycle leading to weight gain. Therefore, the treatment should be aimed at improving movement, reducing pain, reducing weight, and adapting a healthier lifestyle. Also, though it may not be completely prevented, the onset can be delayed by choosing a healthier lifestyle during the younger years of life. Exercise and weight control can definitely prolong the onset of the condition.
There is a strong genetic component that is mapped to this condition. So, if you are aware of an existing family history, it should trigger you to undertake preventive measures earlier in life. Adapting a healthy lifestyle definitely can be helpful in numerous way, prolonging and reducing the severity of osteoarthritis being one of them.
Are you experiencing pain and tenderness in your hand bones? Hand pain can occur due to several causes that may include diseases and injuries. Most of the causes of pain in the hand bones are treatable, and the symptoms can be eased. The most common conditions that cause pain and tenderness in your hand bones include the following:
De Quervain’s tendinitis
A Ganglion
Osteoarthritis may affect any joint of your body. And knee arthritis is one of the most common versions of arthritis. It can cause immense inconvenience and braces can help mitigate many of these bothers.
When Do Braces become a Necessity?
The cartilage at the knee joint cushions the knee and protects the knee from the shock waves of walking, running and other movements by absorbing them. But in some people, the cartilage begins to wear out slowly and when this happens, the underlying bone is exposed and made vulnerable. The degeneration of the cartilage and its consequences trigger excruciating pain, disruption of weight distribution and the unnatural growth of bone spurs around the knee joint.
As the disorder progresses, one side of the knee wears away more than the other and this affects the person’s gait as well. To correct the misalignment, doctors prescribe knee braces.
How Does A Knee Brace Work?
A knee brace is like a tightly fitted sock that you slip your leg through and pull it up to the knee. It sits snugly around your knee. It exerts pressure on your knee and the surrounding area.
A knee brace redistributes the weight evenly. It shifts the weight from the worn and damaged part of your knee onto a lesser damaged part. That eases a lot of the pain you had been suffering. A knee brace will help you get back on your feet and even walk long distances. It puts to rights your gait and stance as well.
Are there any Complications that can arise out of Knee Braces?
Knee braces may help you return to a normal life, you must be prepared for a few minor problems.
Discomfort -
You will feel uncomfortable until you get accustomed to the braces. The knee and the surrounding areas might itch and become sore. The brace will feel cumbersome and your knee might even feel hot and sweaty.
The knee skin may become red and swell up -
The only way for braces to be effective is if they fit well. Your doctor can help recommend the brand and size. Moreover, braces are made with different kinds of materials. You need one that suits your skin. After you get the brace fitted to your knee, visit the doctor again who will be able to tell you if the brace is indeed perfect for you.
Knee problems can be quite annoying but if this problem becomes regular, it brings life to a standstill. The movement becomes restricted. Many associated problems slowly crop up. Thus, it is best to nip the problem in the bud. While some people might experience a problem in the full knee, in some people, only a single compartment (tissue or cartilage) of the knee may be affected. For such patients, Unicondylar Knee Replacement comes as a blessing.
Unicondylar knee replacement, also known as the Unicompartmental Knee Replacement or Partial Knee Replacement is the most sought-after knee replacement surgery. The surgery involves replacing only the worn out or affected part (cartilage) of the knee, thereby preserving the healthier cartilages and tissues of the knee.
In the last few years, incidences of osteoarthritis have been on the rise. The unicondylar knee replacement surgery has made life a lot easier for people suffering from osteoarthritis (a condition where the articular cartilage or the connective tissue present within the knee joint begins to wear out).
However, the surgery may not be a wise idea for
Pre- surgery, a person should
Unicondylar knee replacement recovery time is quick, between 3-4 weeks. However, the concerned person may require physiotherapy for the next 3-6 months.
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There are so many things we take for granted. For example, have you ever thought about how your fingers bend or how your knees open and fold to help you walk? It is only when these simple acts start becoming uncomfortable that we take a closer look at them. Osteoarthritis is a common musculoskeletal condition that affects the cartilage in our joints. As the cartilage breaks down, bones lose the buffer between them and every movement becomes stiff and painful.
Here are a few things you should know about osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis and can affect any joint of the body. Typically, the joints of the hands, knees, hips and spine are worst affected. This degenerative condition occurs when the cartilage cushioning the bones of a joint wear out. This causes the bones to grind against each other when moving the joint. The effects of Osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, but with medication and lifestyle changes, it can be managed and the progression of the disease can be slowed down. In cases where the joint pain causes immobility, joint replacement surgery may also be considered. One of the key factors that affects how well this pain is managed is the early diagnosis of the disorder. Here are a few symptoms that you should look out for.
Some people are at a higher risk of suffering from this disorder than others. The risk factors that determine this include:
Inflammation or swelling can be caused due to the body's natural response to injury or disease. Arthritis is a disease in which the joints in your body swell. The inflammation or swelling can cause discomfort in the form of pain, stiffness as well as difficulty in movement.
Some of the common causes of arthritis are:
Risk factors associated with arthritis:
Tips to deal with arthritis:
Osteoarthritis may affect any joint of your body. And knee arthritis is one of the most common versions of arthritis. It can cause immense inconvenience and braces can help mitigate many of these bothers.
When Do Braces become a Necessity?
The cartilage at the knee joint cushions the knee and protects the knee from the shock waves of walking, running and other movements by absorbing them. But in some people, the cartilage begins to wear out slowly and when this happens, the underlying bone is exposed and made vulnerable. The degeneration of the cartilage and its consequences trigger excruciating pain, disruption of weight distribution and the unnatural growth of bone spurs around the knee joint.
As the disorder progresses, one side of the knee wears away more than the other and this affects the person’s gait as well. To correct the misalignment, doctors prescribe knee braces.
How Does A Knee Brace Work?
A knee brace is like a tightly fitted sock that you slip your leg through and pull it up to the knee. It sits snugly around your knee. It exerts pressure on your knee and the surrounding area.
A knee brace redistributes the weight evenly. It shifts the weight from the worn and damaged part of your knee onto a lesser damaged part. That eases a lot of the pain you had been suffering. A knee brace will help you get back on your feet and even walk long distances. It puts to rights your gait and stance as well.
Are there any complications that can arise out of Knee Braces?
Knee braces may help you return to a normal life, you must be prepared for a few minor problems.
Discomfort -
You will feel uncomfortable until you get accustomed to the braces. The knee and the surrounding areas might itch and become sore. The brace will feel cumbersome and your knee might even feel hot and sweaty.
The knee skin may become red and swell up -
The only way for braces to be effective is if they fit well. Your doctor can help recommend the brand and size. Moreover, braces are made with different kinds of materials. You need one that suits your skin. After you get the brace fitted to your knee, visit the doctor again who will be able to tell you if the brace is indeed perfect for you.
Osteoarthritis is referred to as a degenerative condition where the protecting cartilage of a particular body joint (which helps in smooth movement) slowly wears away with time. Osteoarthritis occurs mainly in joints of the hand, neck, hips, spine and knees. As time passes, osteoarthritis might result in severe and unbearable pain along with increased stiffness in the affected parts of the body. The affected body joints might also lose flexibility, which might result in a particularly unpleasant sensation.
Causes and risk factors
You could be at risk of suffering from osteoarthritis due to any of the following factors
Ayurvedic approach to osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis tends to be a chronic condition and can never be fully cured although it can be controlled and reduced drastically. Ayurvedic treatments can offer a suitable and potent remedy to patients suffering from osteoarthritis. In Ayurvedic scriptures, Osteoarthritis occurs as a result of an imbalance of the Vata Dosha. This condition occurs primarily because of a regular consumption of stale and unhealthy foods, which result in severe pain in the joints. The Ayurvedic remedies offer to prevent further degeneration as well as restore the ability of the affected cartilage. Apart from encouraging the consumption of freshly cooked meals and drinks, the other useful Ayurvedic remedies are as follows: