Osteoarthritis

• Osteoarthritis often starts in middle age.
  
  
• One third of people over the age of sixty have osteoarthritis.

• Some people experience severe pain and stiffness but for many people symptoms are mild and cause only temporary or occasional flare-ups.  The pain may be an aching pain at rest but usually it is brought on by increased activity or minor injury.
  
  
• There may be sharp catching pain from the roughened joint surfaces.
  
  
• Often osteoarthritis is accompanied by swelling.

• Genetics: There is a strong genetic component to osteoarthritis.  Some people inherit joints which wear out earlier than others.
  
  
• Injury: “Post traumatic osteoarthritis” is very common.  It occurs as a result of repeated minor injuries or a single major injury.
  
  
• Obesity: Obesity causes osteoarthritis and being overweight can contribute to rapid degeneration of the joint.
  
  
• A combination of these factors: The cause is often the result of several factors operating together.

Several different types of medication can be used to control the pain of osteoarthritis. Drugs to treat inflammation and pain include:

• Panadol (this is the safest and best medication to start with) or Panadeine
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as Nurofen, Naprosyn, Celebrex or Mobic

Keeping your body weight within the normal range is essential in controlling the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

All forms of treatment will fail if you remain significantly overweight and the osteoarthritis can progress rapidly.

The key to weight loss is maintaining a proper balanced diet, in conjunction with regular exercise.

Low impact exercise is a vital part of managing osteoarthritis.  Exercise will:

• decrease pain
• increase strength in the supporting muscles of the leg
• maintain flexibility of the joint

The general principle with osteoarthritis is “use it or lose it”

Exercise can be very difficult when the joint is painful.  For this reason you may need to look at several different forms of exercise to find one that is suitable for you.  The best low impact exercises are:

• Walking
• Swimming
• Cycling

There are many exercise programs available in the community for people with osteoarthritis.  Advice on classes, programs, books and videos are available for the Arthritis Foundation.

• Cortisone: cortisone is a strong anti-inflammatory.
  
  
• Synvisc: a type of treatment called a visco supplement.  It lubricates and cushions your knee joint and relieves pain which can allow you to move more freely for up to six months or more.
  
  
• PRP: Platelet Rich Plasma – can promote healing and reduce inflammation.

• Bracing may help by providing some stability to the joint and also provide warmth in the colder months.  The simplest braces are made of neoprene and are available from the chemist.  More supportive braces can be obtained from an orthotist.
  
  
• For severe symptoms ambulatory aids such as a walking stick or frame may be beneficial.
  
  
• Corrective footwear may help where there are abnormalities such as a flat foot or bowleg.  A podiatrist can help with the fitting of orthotics and custom footwear.

• Glucosamine: Clinical trials have failed to show any significant impact on arthritic symptoms.
  
  
• Fish oil: Fish oil containing Omega 3 fatty acids may have an anti-inflammatory action.  Eating oily fish regularly has more health benefits than fish oil supplements.
  
  
• Tumeric: Contains curcumin which has an anti-inflammatory effect.

Further information:- (www.arthritisaustralia.com.au)