Osteoarthritis is another name for degenerative joint disease. Normally, the ends of the bones in our joints are covered with cartilage. The purpose of the cartilage is to reduce friction and act as a shock absorber. Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to deteriorate. This permits the bones to rub against one another.
It was once believed that osteoarthritis was a natural condition of aging due to wear and tear on the joints. Scientists now believe that aging does not cause osteoarthritis. They look to other factors such as obesity, heredity, and injuries or other diseases. Osteoarthritis affects both men and women equally but in different places. In men it tends to develop in the hips, knees and spine. Women have it in their hands and knees. Women also tend to have hard bony growths on the joint nearest the fingertip. These are called Heberden nodes. Symptoms occur in men before age 45 but in women after age 55. When the cartilage deteriorates, the bone sometimes becomes thickened and distorted. Movement is painful and difficult so the person uses the muscles less often. Then the unused muscle begins to atrophy.
The symptoms develop very gradually over the years. In the hands, usually the joints of the thumbs and fingertips are affected. The large knuckles are not generally involved. However, another form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis does affect the large knuckles. If you experience restricted movement in a joint or if it is painful you need to visit your doctor. Sometimes a doctor will need to do x rays or use other imaging devices to make a diagnosis. Once diagnosed, the physician concentrates on three types of therapies. If you are experiencing pain in the joint, some type of pain reliever will be prescribed. If your pain is light and occasional, aspirin may be recommended.
When osteoarthritis affects the hands, doctors of alternative medicine often recommend an analgesic cream containing capsaicin. Capsaicin is a natural substance found in chili peppers. When applied to the affected area it has been effective in relieving pain and tenderness of the joints. The cream is available at many drug stores and most health food stores. One should take care to follow the directions carefully. Secondly, the physician will try to prevent overuse of the joint by recommending weight loss, canes, or splints.
Finally, physical therapy and exercise may be prescribed to improve muscle tone. Exercise is very beneficial in slowing the progress of the disorder. Three kinds of exercise are prescribed. The first type comprises daily exercises to improve flexibility. The second involves muscle strengthening exercises and the third is low impact aerobic such as swimming or walking. Sometimes there is no alternative but surgery. Hip and knee replacement are common procedures. However, in order to undergo this type of surgery, the individual will need to be in good health and not obese. It is very important that people who are overweight and develop osteoarthritis make every effort to lose the excess weight. Every pound puts additional pressure on the affected joint and makes usage more difficult and more painful.
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