Joints feeling a bit achey and stiff? It might be osteoarthritis (OA) – the most common type of arthritis in the UK. Many people suffer with the symptoms of OA, simply putting it down to “getting older”. Joint pains and stiffness, swelling, “creaking” noises on movement (a sign called crepitus) and tenderness over the joint can all be signs that arthritis is present. The number of joints affected, and the severity of these symptoms, can vary from person to person. Sometimes people have mild symptoms in lots of small joints (for example, the end of joints in the fingers), and some people have severe symptoms in one joint (a hip, for instance). Severe symptoms can have a big impact on someone’s ability to do their daily activities if they cannot use their joints properly, or are restricted by pain. Living with chronic pain can also impact quality of life and lead to low mood.
So what causes OA? As we go through life, our joints go through wear and tear. Often the damage is minor and our bodies are able to repair it. This is normal. Within a joint, the end of each bone is covered by protective cartilage – this acts as a shock absorber and allows the bones to slide over each other. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage layer is broken down, which causes pain, swelling, and problems with movement. Bony growths may also form around the joint and our bodies are unable to repair this damage.
Why some people are more likely to develop this condition is unknown. However, we do know there are many things that increase the risk. These include:
- Having a previous injury to a joint (eg a broken ankle)
- Family history of osteoarthritis
- Having joint damage from a previous condition, such as gout
- Age – getting older increases the risk
- Being obese (this puts more strain on the joints – especially weight bearing joints of the hips, knees and ankles)
- Being female
Although it is not possible to prevent osteoarthritis happening altogether, minimising these risk factors can certainly help. Living a healthy lifestyle and keeping active, with plenty of strength building activities and low impact exercise (cycling or swimming), can help. Exercising regularly also helps with weight management. If you are overweight, losing weight may help lower your chances of developing OA.
Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis. If you feel you are having pain that is causing problems then speak to your GP. They will ask you some questions about your symptoms and perform an examination. Osteoarthritis may be a likely diagnosis if:
- You are aged 45 or older
- you have joint pain that gets worse the more you use your joints
- the stiffness in your joints is not there in the mornings, or lasts less than 30 minutes
If there are other symptoms, there may be another reason underlying the painful joints. To investigate, X-rays and blood tests may be arranged.
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition and cannot be cured, but it doesn’t necessarily get any worse over time, and it can sometimes gradually improve. The treatments can vary depending on which joints are affected, but may include anti-inflammatory medications, painkillers and physiotherapy. Lifestyle measures, including weight loss and regular exercise, can also help. In cases where these treatments haven’t helped, or the damage to the joints is particularly severe, surgery may be done to repair, strengthen or replace a damaged joint.
For further information on osteoarthritis (OA) from the NHS visit www.rdr.link
