Osteoarthritis
adapted from the presentation by Crystal Stockham
Arthritis
- “arth” means joint, “itis”means inflammation so arthritis means joint inflammation.
-refers to over 100 different conditions.
-most common is osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
-occurs in about 10% of Canadians – mostly over age 70.
-often caused by wear and tear as cartilage (which protects joints and bone ends) degenerates.
-also due to injury or stress (like polio damage and imbalances).
-most common in hip, knee, spine and other weight bearing joints.
Who is at risk?
Age - higher risk over age 45.
Gender - females at higher risk.
Joint Alignment - people with bowed legs, dislocated hips or joints that are abnormal as a result of damage to nerve and muscle (like polio caused) are more likely to develop osteoarthritis in those areas.
Joint injury or overuse - traumatic injuries or overuse (of polio damaged muscles)increase the risk of osteoarthritis
Overweight - increases stress on weight bearing joints.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis.
-bracing joints that are out of alignment whenever possible.
-using lifts or shims to balance or realign the body.
-protecting joints by changing the way we do tasks (taking breaks, using devices like grab bars, reaching aids, raised chairs, shower seats, canes, etc.)
-weight loss.
-exercise (to be used with caution by polio survivors).
-heat and cold.
-Medication:
i. Topical -creams and rubs
ii. Analgesics – acetaminophen (Tylenol)
iii. NSAIDS -Non-steriodal anti-inflammatory medications
Aspirin
Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin)
Naproxen (Naprosyn)
Diclofenac (Voltaren)
Indomethacin (Indocid)
Meloxicam (Mobicox)
etc.
iv. NSAIDS + stomach protection (Arthrotec)
v. COX-2 Inhibitors (Celebrex)
vi. Corticosteroids -injected give good relief of pain.
Oral use comes with many risks.
Natural products
i. Glucosamine - works well for some -studies show some positive effect.
ii. Condroitin - often paired with Glucosamine
- not shown to be very effective.
iii. MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
Contact the Arthritis Society at 1-800-321-1433
or their web site at www.arthritis.ca
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