Are You Suffering from Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease is a condition in which there is a condition in which there is breakdown & eventual loss of cartilage.cartilage is a protien substance that serves as ''cushion'' between bones of joints.

It may affect any joint in your body,including those in your fingers,hips,knees,lower back & feet.But initially it strikes only the large weight bearing joint of the body.

Types of Osteoarthritis:
-Primary Osteoarthritis:It is a chronic degenerative disorder related to aging.It is also related to hereditory conditions.
-Secondary Ostearthritis:It is caused by other factors like congenital disorders,Diabetes,Inflammatory diseases like gout,etc,Injury to joints,hormonal disorders,obesity,surgery.

Who are at risk?
-Normal ageing process
-Post- menopausal women
-Certain hereditary conditions
-Excessive body weight
-Joint injury
-Infections
-Over straining occupations
-Damp & cold weather
-Certain drug related side effects
-Nutritional deficiencies
-Altered immune system

Signs and Symptoms:
*Pain is chronic in nature,causing loss of mobility and stiffness..
*Discomfort in a joint during or before a change in weather.
*Stiffness in joints following long period of inactivity.
*Deformity of joints which occurs at advanced stage.
*Crackling noise can be heard when the affected joint is moved or touched.
*Pain while climbing staircase & while standing,sitting or walking for long time.

Diagnosis:
*It is usually done through X-RAY.
*Other methods are MRI & CT SCANS,ARTHROCENTESIS,ARTHRISCOPY OR ARTHROGRAPHY.
*To differentiate from other type of Inflammatory arthritis,certain blood tests like CRP,test for RA factor & Uric Acid can be done.