Osteoarthritis management Expert in Perumbakkam
Your Trusted Partner in Osteoarthritis management
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. It happens when the cartilage that lines your joints is worn down or damaged and your bones rub together when you use that joint. We are here to provide you with top-notch care and guidance to tackle your problems.
Understanding Osteoarthritis management
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis(a condition that affects your joints). Healthcare providers sometimes refer to it as degenerative joint disease or OA. It happens when the cartilage that lines your joints is worn down over time and your bones rub against each other when you use your affected joints.
Usually, the ends of bones in your joints are capped in a layer of tough, smooth cartilage. Cartilage is like a two-in-one shock absorber and lubricant — it helps the bones in your joints move past each other smoothly and safely. If you have osteoarthritis, the cartilage in your affected joints wears away over time. Eventually, your bones rub against each other when you move your joints.
Symptoms
- Pain in a joint
- Stiffness
- Swelling near a joint
- A decreased range of motion
- Feeling like a joint isn’t as strong
- joint deformity
Types of Osteoarthritis
A healthcare provider might classify osteoarthritis as one of two types:
- Primary osteoarthritis is the most common form of osteoarthritis that develops in your joints over time. Experts think it’s usually caused by normal wear and tear of using your joints throughout your life.
- Secondary osteoarthritis happens when something directly damages one of your joints enough to cause osteoarthritis. Injuries and traumas are common causes of secondary osteoarthritis. Other types of arthritis can damage the cartilage in your joints enough to cause osteoarthritis, too.
What causes Osteoarthritis?
Experts aren’t sure what causes osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis usually develops slowly as you age. As you get older, normal wear and tear on your joints might contribute to their cartilage breaking down.
Anything that directly damages your joints can also cause osteoarthritis, including:
- Sports injuries
- Falls.
- Car accidents.
- Health conditions that affect your joints, like Ehlers-Danlos syndrome or joint hypermobility syndrome
Other forms of arthritis (specifically inflammatory arthritis) can cause osteoarthritis, including:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Gout
- Psoriatic arthritis.
How is Osteoarthritis Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider will diagnose osteoarthritis with a physical exam and imaging tests. They’ll look at your joints and ask you when you first noticed any symptoms. Tell them if any activities make your symptoms worse, or if they come and go.
How can I prevent Osteoarthritis?
The best way to prevent osteoarthritis is to maintain good overall health, including:
- Avoiding tobacco products.
- Doing low-impact exercise.
- Following a diet plan that’s healthy for you.
- Always wearing your seatbelt.
- Wearing proper protective equipment for any activity, sport or work you’re doing.
- Visiting a healthcare provider for regular checkups and as soon as you notice any changes in your joints.