Arthritis & Osteoarthritis FAQs
What is the purpose of rehabilitation for osteoarthritis?
Rehabilitation for osteoarthritis has 3 objectives: maintain mobility of the joint, fight against deformation and strengthen the muscles around the joint. Stiffness, disability affecting the quality of life of osteoarthritic patients, is combated by exercises to maintain good joint mobility. Deformations are the result of the wrong positions taken to relieve pain (flexion of the... Read More »
What are the main medicines for osteoarthritis?
Medication for osteoarthritis can include drugs administered orally (by mouth) and others for local use (on the skin or by injection into the joint). Oral medications are: analgesics that act on pain; anti-inflammatory drugs that act on inflammation and pain; symptomatic slow-acting drugs whose goal is to reduce the symptoms. The effects appear only after... Read More »
How does osteoarthritis evolve?
The evolution of osteoarthritis is unpredictable. Osteoarthritis can develop: very slowly, over several decades; very quickly with complete loss of cartilage in one or two years; over a more or less long period, interspersed with “inflammatory flare-ups” or “acute painful episodes” during which the destruction of the cartilage accelerates.
What is involved in the physical examination of an osteoarthritic joint?
The doctor assesses the mobility of the joint and the condition of the muscles surrounding the joint. He looks for the presence of fluid in the joint and the presence of inflammatory signs. Joint mobility reflects joint stiffness. Muscle wasting (atrophy) is a consequence of stiffness because less mobility leads to less activity. Muscular stiffness... Read More »
What is the typical outcome for an individual with osteoarthritis?
Most people with osteoarthritis live active, productive lives despite the disease. They do so by using treatment strategies such as rest and exercise, pain relief medications, education and support programs, learning self-care, and having a “good attitude.”
The term arthritis refers to stiffness in the joints?
Arthritis is an inflammation of the joints. Though joint stiffness is a symptom of this, it is not the disease itself. Arthritis also causes pain, swelling, redness, and warmth
How is rheumatoid arthritis (RA) different from some other forms of arthritis?
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) differs from some other forms of arthritis because it is symmetrical, affecting both sides of the body. Other types of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis, may affect only one side of the body. Rheumatoid arthritis is also characterized as an autoimmune disorder, one in which the body mistakenly attacks its own tissues, while... Read More »
How can someone with OA improve their quality of life?
Get physically active. Experts recommend that adults engage in 150 minutes per week of moderate physical activity, or 30 minutes a day for 5 days. Moderate, low impact activities recommended include walking, swimming, or biking. Regular physical activity can also reduce the risk of developing other chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.... Read More »
What are the complications of OA?
Osteoarthritis can cause severe joint pain, swelling, and stiffness. In some cases it also causes reduced function and disability; some people are no longer able to do daily tasks and, in some cases, are not able to work. Severe cases may require joint replacement surgery, particularly for knee or hip OA.
How is OA treated?
Doctors usually treat OA with a combination of therapies, which may include the following: Physical activity. Medications, including prescription drugs and over-the-counter pain relievers. Physical therapy with muscle strengthening exercises. Weight loss. Supportive devices such as crutches or canes. Surgery (if other treatment options have not been effective). In addition to medical treatment, people with... Read More »