Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis prevalent mostly in women. It results from wearing down of the cartilage and joint surfaces. The wearing out is likely to be more in people who put more strain on it (overweight and muscle imbalances), injure it (high-impact activities like jogging on hard surfaces with incorrect footwear) and in people with unhealthy joints. Genetic and environmental factors also play an important role in the progression of this disease.
Osteoarthritis increases with time. It cannot be cured but can be controlled. The progress can be slowed down by weight reduction, activity modification, muscle strengthening and balance exercises with judicious use of anti-inflammatory medication and orthotic devices that reduce loading(eg. braces and walking sticks).
Ways to control it
Exercise is extremely important to keep the muscles strong and joints mobile. One should have frequent periods of rest between exercise. Warming up and down before and after exercise respectively is mandatory.
Comfortable footwear and well-cushioned shoes reduce joint impacts.
Swimming and hydrotherapy are excellent for stiff painful joints.
It is extremely important to monitor the progress of joint deterioration clinically and by x-ray. Viscosupplementation (gel injections into the joint) can reduce discomfort and prolong the life of a joint in case of moderate disease.
In the end stage, when all cartilage is damaged and the joint is as good as dead, joint replacement is needed. Tissue preserving technique of knee replacement allows faster recovery with less pain and no blood transfusions, even when both knees are done in one sitting.
For disease in both joints, bilateral surgery in one sitting provides symmetry and a better result.
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