Story By Empowered Medical Media
What is Osteoporosis Arthritis?
Osteoarthritis affects over 20 million Americans. Osteoarthritis also known as degenerative joint disease results from physical changes in the joints. These joints are such as the shoulder; knee, hip or in this case, the hand.
How and Why Osteoarthritis Effects Joints:
Joints are generally encapsulated and contain synovial fluid allowing free and smooth movement. They also have a protective coating of cartilage that protects the bones from eroding each other. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage erodes and bones can then come into direct contact with each other causing severe pain. Osteoporosis usually develops over many years with no symptoms. Some factors which aid the progress of osteoporosis include prolonged calcium and protein deficiency and especially low estrogen levels after menopause. Though generally, Osteoarthritis is caused by trauma, it ususally affects multiple members of the same family. This implys that there are hereditary attributes towards the cause of the condition.Up to 60% of Osteoarthritis is caused by genetic factors.
Symptoms:
It normally affects weight bearing joints like the hips and the knee joints but theoretically any joint area can be affected. The condition is usually defined by acute pain. Stiffness and loss of mobility or use of the affected joints are common. The Pain is typically described as a burning or sharp ache. A cracking sound can be heard from joints effected with this condition when they are moved or touched. The condition is also effected by humidity and cold weather negativly.
Treatments:
With an effected area, effort made to controll weight, to exercise, gaining appropriate rest, and the use of medical support devices is positive. The intake of glucosamine helps for preventing OA. Large ammounts however dont aid treating already existing OA. Sugery is an option that can come to the rescue if all else fails. Surgeons can replace joints, remove fragments of bone, reposition bones and fusing bones to improve their stability and health. Medications may be used to control the pain and the swelling and as the disease advances, prosthetic joints are sometimes used to replace the joints that have become useless and painful.
Find out more about Osteoporosis Arthritis by visiting the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.
© 2009 Empowered Medical Media.
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