Osteoarthritis: New Ways To Treat Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, is a
chronic condition that afflicts some 21 million Americans.

It is characterized by the disintegration of cartilage, the
part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones. This
breakdown causes stiffness, pain and loss of movement.
Eventually the cartilage can wear away entirely, causing bone
to rub on bone. OA generally affects specific joints such as
the hips, hands, knees, lower back and neck.

Joint pain or stiffness occurs most often after periods of
either inactivity or overexertion.

Osteoarthritis Causes

Certain factors increase the risk of OA. These include
heredity, being overweight, joint injury, repeated overuse of
certain joints, lack of physical activity, poor joint
alignment, nerve injury and aging. A physical exam, a detailed
medical history, and tests such as X-rays and magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) are generally used to diagnose the
condition.

Maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way toward
preventing OA, according to Hayes Wilson, M.D., chief of
rheumatology at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta and national
medical advisor for the Arthritis Foundation. "If you are ten
pounds overweight," says Dr. Wilson, "that's like burdening
your knees with thirty pounds." A study published in the Annals
of Internal Medicine found that in women, losing as few as 11
pounds could cut the risk of OA of the knee by 50 percent.

Osteoarthritis Treatments

Corticosteroids can be injected into joints to ease
inflammation. A substance called hyaluronic acid, which eases
dehydration of the cartilage, can be injected into the knees.
Acetaminophen may reduce joint pain. Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help
reduce stiffness and swelling as well as joint pain. Preventive
tactics, such as maintaining a healthy weight, can also be
beneficial by easing stress on joints.

Although it's not a cure, acupuncture may ease the pain of OA,
says Patience White, M.D., M.A., the chief public health
officer of the Arthritis Foundation. So can visualization
exercises in which arthritis sufferers envision that they are
in less pain.

Joint replacement is the treatment of choice when a joint is
completely destroyed and there's significant pain and
functional limitation. Part or all of the joint may be
replaced, typically with metal or plastic. Within 5 to 10
years, scientists may be able to build new cartilage to replace
what has worn away.

Osteoarthritis Relief

* What exercises are best for alleviating osteoarthritis?

Stretching and exercises for flexibility are crucial to keeping
joints as mobile as possible, according to Jeny Rund, a physical
therapist based in Baltimore. Strengthening exercises, such as
working out with weights, can help protect your joints by
improving muscle tone.

Aerobic exercises benefit overall health and fitness and can
help keep weight down. Aquatic exercises and walking offer
several benefits, says Rund: aerobic conditioning, strength
building and flexibility. And these exercises don't overstretch
the joints.

* How can I eat healthfully and keep my weight down?

Choose fruits and vegetables in a wide range of colors to get
the most nutrients; keep them in the front part of your fridge
so it's easy to reach for them when you want a snack. Cut down
on full-fat cheeses. Rather than eating three squares a day,
try to eat a number of smaller meals throughout the day. Save
sweet desserts for special occasions—birthdays and
anniversaries, for example.

Now that you know the available treatment options for
osteoarthritis, you and your doctor can develop a plan that's
right for you—and you can enjoy life pain-free.

Writer: Jean Maguire
©MediZine's Healthy Living, Second Quarter 2007

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