Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic musculoskeletal conditions seen by physiotherapists and affects a large number of Australians. It is generally considered a degenerative condition in which the articular cartilage thins, develops cracks and can eventually wear away. Unfortunately, there is no cure for osteoarthritis, however, there are ways to manage your osteoarthritis and slow the degeneration process. Better arthritis management can result in a reduction in pain and increase quality of life.
The joints most commonly affected are the weight-bearing joints: hip, knee, ankles, feet and spine. However, osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body and is common in the hands and shoulders. Severe cases may require surgical treatment, but most will respond very well to physiotherapy and medication prescribed by your doctor.
Osteoarthritis Symptoms
You can suspect osteoarthritis if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
Joint pain or tenderness that intermittently returns
stiffness, particularly early morning stiffness
joint swelling or deformity
noticeable joint heat and redness
joint movement is painful or difficult.
OA symptoms commonly fluctuate depending on activity. The symptoms may initially only be with activity but as OA progresses, pain may be experienced at rest or during the night.
X-ray and other scans also play a role in diagnosing OA, though it is important to note that symptoms may not always match the imaging findings. Some people can be very symptomatic without much change on X-ray, whereas some people may have scans shows advanced OA and be asymptomatic. Treatment is dictated more by the individual person’s symptoms than their scans.
There is good evidence to support physiotherapy management of OA. Management often includes creating a tailored exercise program for the affected area, life style changes, and education. These exercises focus on the control and strength of muscles around the hip and the knee. Increasing the strength around the affected joint can help restore it’s natural movement and decrease associated pain.
