Arthritis is a painful and debilitating condition that can affect any joint in the body. There are different types of arthritis but the most common is osteoarthritis, which causes the cartilage in your joints to become worn or damaged, resulting in the bones rubbing together when you move. It is a degenerative disease, which means it worsens over time. Osteoarthritis can occur at any age, in any joint but it most often affects the hips, knees, hands, neck and lower back.
Who is at risk of arthritis?
Primary osteoarthritis – also called wear and tear arthritis – results from day-to-day wear and tear of your joints. Secondary osteoarthritis is when some kind of accident or injury damages the joint, or there is a health condition that subsequently leads to the development of osteoarthritis.
This condition is particularly common among older adults, with estimates suggesting around 80% of adults over 55 are affected by osteoarthritis.
Some of them don’t develop any obvious symptoms, but around 60% of people do. You may be at particular risk of developing osteoarthritis if you play sports that can lead to traumatic injuries (such as skiing or rugby); if you are involved in a serious car accident or a fall; or if you have certain health conditions that affect your joints, such as joint hypermobility syndrome. Osteoarthritis is particularly linked to health conditions like obesity, diabetes and high cholesterol.
How osteoarthritis affects quality of life
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease with no cure, although there are many effective ways to manage the condition. Common symptoms include pain, stiffness and loss of mobility in the affected joint, as well as swelling or deformity of the joint, and/or a feeling of instability or weakness. In the early stages, symptoms are usually mild to moderate, but over time they worsen and can become debilitating. When osteoarthritis is severe, it can cause constant long-term pain, even when resting. This tends to make people less physically active, which may contribute to the development of other health problems such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular disease.
Osteoarthritis can have a significant impact on quality of life. The World Health Organization points out “It makes movement painful and difficult, which can stop people from participating in home, work or social activities. This can lead to mental health impacts, trouble sleeping and problems in relationships.”
The WHO advocates taking proactive steps to prevent osteoarthritis wherever possible, for example by maintaining a healthy body weight and participating in regular exercise, as well as avoiding overusing the joints.
What treatments are available
Once a person has been diagnosed with osteoarthritis, there are many effective treatments that can help manage the symptoms. In the early stages, painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication are often sufficient to manage the pain of osteoarthritis. Some kind of low impact exercise, such as swimming, walking, yoga or water aerobics can help to strengthen the muscles around the joint and relieve stiffness. A physiotherapist will be able to recommend specific exercises to support the damaged joint. You may need to wear a brace to support and stabilise the affected joint, or wear orthotic inserts in your shoes. Applying a hot or cold compress to the joint can relieve pain and stiffness.
Corticosteroid injections
As the condition progresses, you may find that oral painkillers no longer provide sufficient relief and your orthopaedic consultant might suggest an injection of corticosteroids directly into the joint. These can provide relief from pain and inflammation for up to a month, although there is some evidence that having too many injections within the same area can damage tissues. For this reason, it is not recommended to have more than three injections in the same part of the body within a year.
Viscosupplementation
Injections of hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) may also be offered. This helps to replace the natural lubricant that breaks down in joints affected by osteoarthritis and can provide relief from pain and stiffness. The results can be inconsistent however so it is advisable to discuss this with your orthopaedic consultant.
Platelet-rich plasma injections
Platelet-rich plasma injections are made from the patient’s own blood and injected into the damaged joint to promote healing. Several studies show that these injections can relieve pain and stiffness, however some experts question the effectiveness of PRP injections so, again, talk to your consultant or contact us for advice.
Joint replacement surgery
In its most severe stages, joint replacement surgery is often the most effective treatment for osteoarthritis. This involves removing the damaged joint (or part of it) and replacing it with a prosthetic implant. Joint replacement surgery is now a routine procedure and offers life-changing benefits to people with arthritis. However, as with all surgery there are potential risks so it is important to understand these fully before proceeding.
If you are living with the pain of arthritis and would like advice about your condition and possible treatments that could improve your quality of life, contact us. Professor Joseph Queally can diagnose your condition and advise on a bespoke treatment plan which may include non-surgical or surgical options.
As a general rule, eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy body weight and exercising regularly can support you to live well with arthritis and manage your symptoms more effectively.
