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Osteoarthritis What is meant by arthritis or rheumatism? Unfortunately, these common terms produce a considerable amount of fear and concern for many people. Rheumatism is a vague term used to describe aching in joints and muscles, and the word should be avoided. Arthritis means inflammation of the joints, but there are over 100 different types of arthritis. The most serious is rheumatoid arthritis, which is uncommon. The most common is osteoarthritis, which is usually not serious and causes only minor discomfort in some people. What is osteoarthritis?
This is a condition that occurs during the body's normal ageing process as a result of wear and tear of the joints. It is also called degenerative joint disease. The smooth gristle or cartilage that covers and protects the ends of the bones at the joints is gradually worn away. The joints become rough, and stiffness and inflammation can develop. X-rays are taken to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis; all other tests done have a normal result. X-rays show some degree of osteoarthritis in 1 or more of the joints of 9 out of 10 people over the age of 40. How does osteoarthritis begin? The most common reason for loss of cartilage is wear and tear due to ageing, but many people never notice it. It commonly develops in joints that were injured earlier in life (such as with sporting injuries) or joints that have been overworked (such as those in the fingers of a knitter or the feet of a ballet dancer). Osteoarthritis mostly affects the weight-bearing joints such as the spine, knees and hips (especially in overweight people), but the base of the thumb and the ends of the fingers are common sites also. What are the symptoms? The severity of symptoms varies, but usually they are pain, swelling and stiffness of the affected joints. Stiffness is usually worse in the morning. Pain is worse after excessive or prolonged activity such as walking for a long time. Movement may be difficult and interfere with normal activities. How serious is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis seldom becomes a serious problem and does not threaten one's life. It does not cause the crippling deformities of joints seen in the rarer serious forms of arthritis. What is the treatment? There is no cure, but there are many ways to make life more comfortable and keep you mobile and independent. Surgery can relieve a joint that is very stiff and painful. Diet Keep your weight down to avoid unnecessary wear on the joints. No particular diet has been proved to cause, or improve, osteoarthritis. Exercise Keep a good balance of adequate rest with sensible exercise (such as walking, cycling or swimming), but stop any exercise or activity that increases the pain. Heat A hot-water bottle, warm bath or electric blanket can soothe the pain and stiffness. Avoid getting too cold. Walking aids Shoe inserts, good footwear and a walking stick can help painful knees, hips and feet. Medication Aspirin and paracetamol are effective pain-killers for mild osteoarthritis. Your doctor may prescribe anti-arthritic medications, but a few may have to be tried to find the one that works best for you. The tablets should be taken with food. Note: Tell your doctor if you have had a peptic ulcer or get indigestion. Special equipment It is possible to increase your independence at home. There is a wide range of inexpensive equipment and tools that can help with cooking, cleaning and other household chores. These can be discussed with people at an Independent Living Centre, with physiotherapists and occupational therapists. The Arthritis Foundation in each capital city is able to provide information about many aspects of arthritis. Copyright 1995: John Murtagh, Professor of
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