OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA) is the most common chronic joint condition. OA is also called wear-and-tear arthritis, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative joint disease.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting millions of people worldwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones wears down over time.

Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.

HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

Homoeopathy is strongly suggested for osteoarthritis especially in early cases where the medicines can be very beneficial in reducing the pain, swelling and stiffness of joints. In advanced cases of Osteoarthritis, although these remedies cannot revert the degeneration that has already taken place in the cartilage of joints, these medicines definitely help in slowing down the progress of cartilage degeneration. Homoeopathic medicine for osteoarthritis works well to provide symptomatic relief to a person suffering from osteoarthritis. Homoeopathic treatment for osteoarthritis is a patient-oriented science and medicines are prescribed on the characteristics of the individual rather than just the symptoms of the disease.

KNOW YOUR DISEASE

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease (DJD) is more likely to develop as people age. The changes in osteoarthritis usually occur slowly over many years, though there are occasional exceptions. Inflammation and injury to the joint cause bony changes, deterioration of tendons and ligaments and a breakdown of cartilage, resulting in pain, swelling, and deformity of the joint.

There are two main types of osteoarthritis

• Primary. Most common, generalized, primarily affects the fingers, thumbs, spine, hips, knees, and the great (big) toes.
• Secondary. Occurs with a pre-existing joint abnormality, including injury or trauma, such as repetitive or sports-related; inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid, psoriatic, or gout; infectious arthritis; genetic joint disorders, such as Ehlers-Danlos (also known as hypermobility or "double-jointed; congenital joint disorders; or metabolic joint disorders.

RISK FACTORS FOR OSTEOARTHRITIS

In addition to age and secondary causes such as inflammatory arthritis and prior injury/ trauma, several other risk factors increase the chance of developing osteoarthritis including obesity, diabetes, elevated cholesterol, sex, and genetics.

• Obesity is a risk factor for osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee. In addition to overloading the weight-bearing mechanisms of the body, the metabolic and pro-inflammatory effects of obesity have been studied as contributory to osteoarthritis. Maintaining ideal body weight or losing extra weight is important for those at risk.
• Both diabetes and hyperlipidemia (elevated lipids/cholesterol) contribute to the inflammatory response within the body, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis. Managing diabetes and hyperlipidemia is important for bone health in addition to general health.
• Decreased estrogen as experienced by post-menopausal women increases the risk of knee osteoarthritis as estrogen is protective of bone health specifically reducing oxidative stress to the cartilage.
• Heredity can play a role in osteoarthritis, as individuals born with other bone diseases or genetic traits may be more likely to develop osteoarthritis. For example, Ehlers-Danlos, which is characterized by joint laxity or hypermobility, can contribute to osteoarthritis.

SYMPTOMS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include.

• Pain. Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
•  Joint stiffness might be most noticeable upon awakening or after being inactive.
•  Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
•  You might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
• Grating sensation. You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling.
• Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.
• Swelling. This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.

CAUSES OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in your joints gradually deteriorates. Cartilage is a firm, slippery tissue that enables nearly frictionless joint motion. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, bone will rub on bone.

DIAGNOSIS OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

During the physical exam, your doctor will check your affected joint for tenderness, swelling, redness and flexibility.

Imaging tests To get pictures of the affected joint, your doctor might recommend.

• X-rays. Cartilage doesn't show up on X-ray images, but cartilage loss is revealed by a narrowing of the space between the bones in your joint. An X-ray can also show bone spurs around a joint.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to produce detailed images of bone and soft tissues, including cartilage. An MRI isn't commonly needed to diagnose osteoarthritis but can help provide more information in complex cases.

Lab tests Analysing your blood or joint fluid can help confirm the diagnosis.

• Blood tests. Although there's no blood test for osteoarthritis, certain tests can help rule out other causes of joint pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis.

HOW CAN U TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF IF YOU ARE SUFFERING FROM OSTEOARTHRITIS?

Learn all you can about your condition and how to manage it, especially about how lifestyle changes can affect your symptoms. Exercising and losing weight if you're overweight are important ways to lessen the joint pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis.

• Exercise Low-impact exercise can increase your endurance and strengthen the muscles around your joint, making your joint more stable. Try walking, bicycling or water aerobics. If you feel new joint pain, stop.
  • New pain that lasts for hours after you exercise probably means you've overdone it, not that you've caused damage or that you should stop exercising. Try again a day or two later at a lower level of intensity

Other things to try include.

• Movement therapies. Yoga involve gentle exercises and stretches combined with deep breathing. Many people use these therapies to reduce stress in their lives, and research suggests yoga might reduce osteoarthritis pain and improve movement.
• Heat and cold .Both heat and cold can relieve pain and swelling in your joint. Heat, especially moist heat, can help muscles relax and ease pain. Cold can relieve muscle aches after exercise and decrease muscle spasms.
• Braces or shoe inserts. Shoe inserts or other devices might help reduce pain when you stand or walk. These devices can support your joint to help take pressure off it.
• Assistive devices. Assistive devices can help relieve stress on your joints. A cane or walker take weight off your knee or hip as you walk. Hold the cane in the hand opposite the leg that hurts.

AN OUTLOOK ON OSTEOARTHRITIS - BY DR. SMRITI’S HOMOEOPATHIC HEALING

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease where pathological changes in the joint are almost irreversible, causing pain, swelling and reduced mobility. Homoeopathic remedies for osteoarthritis are of great help for patients of Osteoarthritis, both for providing relief from pain and ensuring that this degenerative disease is stopped in its tracks. As far as therapeutic medication is concerned, several remedies are available to treat these problems that can be selected on the basis of individualisation and symptom similarity. For individualized remedy selection and treatment, the patient should consult a qualified homoeopathic doctor in person.