What are the Causes and Effects of Osteoarthritis?

The term, arthritis, is a combination of the prefix, arthro, and the suffix, itis. Arthro refers to joints and itis refers to inflammation; so, arthritis, essentially means, “joint inflammation”. Roughly 200 rheumatic conditions and diseases that affect joints are categorized as arthritis. It is a condition that applies to nearly 53 million adults, according to information from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Of those cases, it is reported that osteoarthritis, the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, is the most common ailment. This form of arthritis is common to the hands, hips, and knees.

Contact a personal injury lawyer in Fort Collins, CO if you feel that your knee injury and osteoarthritis may have been caused by someone else’s negligence. The treatment and medication costs could be covered by compensation.

Causes of Osteoarthritis

Many factors are responsible for causing arthritis, especially since there are many types of arthritis. Below are few potential causes and factors to consider when evaluating osteoarthritis.

1. Obesity and weight: substantial weight can add additional strain to joints and ligaments, resulting in increased degeneration. Weight is a common factor in developing knee osteoarthritis.
2. Infection: joints can become infected by various microbial agents. When the joints become infected, the microbes may cause different forms of arthritis to develop.
3. Joint injuries: the damage caused by an joint injury can play a role in the development of arthritis.
4. Occupation: jobs that require repetitive motions, like squatting, can impact the probability of developing osteoarthritis.

Effects of Osteoarthritis

The symptoms of osteoarthritis may vary depending on severity. The common effects include:

1. Stiffness and joint pain: common in more active joints such as the knee, hip, spine, hand, and lower region of the thumb.
2. Morning stiffness: may hinder mobility in the morning.
3. Pain that becomes worse after exercise or pressure on the joint: can be induced by daily activities, such as work-related duties.
4. Pain that causes sleep disturbances: sleep plays a vital role in the body’s recovery, problems sleeping can negatively affect overall health.

Options for Sufferers

Although some factors contributing to the development of osteoarthritis are unavoidable, it does not mean that sufferers don’t have options.

1. Exercise: although excessive exercise and motion has potential to worsen conditions, studies have found that moderate activity a few times a week can decrease the effects of osteoarthritis in the knee.
2. Medication: even without prescription, pain relievers like acetaminophen have been effective in some cases.
3. Physical therapy or occupational therapy: often times the therapists utilize stretches and other activities specific to the condition of the individual.

It is highly possible for work related conditions to  increase the probability, or even cause the onset of osteoarthritis in the knee. Treatment and medication can be a financial burden to sufferers. Work with an experienced doctor to relieve your symptoms today such as the knee pain doctor in PG County MD.

Thanks to Authors at Pain and Arthritis Relief Center for their insight into Chiropractic treatment.