Osteoarthritis in the Young :
Osteoarthritis means Osteo – bones, Arthro – joints and Itis – inflammation. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, there are multiple facts that are responsible for the progress like genetics, aging, hormonal and mechanical.
The symptoms common in all bone diseases like arthritis and osteoarthritis is an incurable condition that causes the disintegration of the bone cartilage this is a tough, flexible tissue that is attached to the two ends of the bones where they meet to form a joint. When the bone disintegrates the cartilage makes the bones rub against each other causing stiffness, pain and loss of movement in that joint.
Current treatments and therapy focus on giving a patient relief from the symptoms instead of trying to cure the disease or check the progression of osteoarthritis. If osteoarthritis is not controlled it can lead to disability over time. Osteoarthritis is most common when compared to other bone diseases. Osteoarthritis usually affects the load bearing joints like hips, knees, and ankles. The ankle is a very small and sensitive joint that bears the weight of the whole body.
In the younger age, the symptoms can be a little different when compared to older people. Some glaring signs to beware of depending on which joint has been affected, persistent or increasing pain in the joint that does not improve even after rest and movement related symptoms like catching, locking and grinding sound in the joints.
In case it is genetic – your grandparents and parents had osteoarthritis then you are at high risk, hip dysplasia is a birth defect, this is a malformed hip socket – as it is not as deep as the socket is supposed to be.
Medical science still does not know the reasons why osteoarthritis progresses and nor does it have effective therapies to stop the growth of this disease. Nowadays osteoarthritis seems to be affecting the younger generation from quite an early age late 20s or early 30s.
Management of Osteoarthritis:
Although joint damage cannot be reversed, there are many different types of treatments that can help to stop the damage from getting worse. Here are some simple methods that might help in the management of this disease, losing weight – Obesity is one of the main factors for the progression of osteoarthritis. The more stress placed on the already damaged joints the greater the inflammation and pain. By losing weight you will notice the difference and relief in all the symptoms.
Physical Therapy has many types to choose from depending on the condition of osteoarthritis in your body, health, flexibility in your joints and the level of pain in the joints. Acupuncture is a process in which needles are pierced into that particular pressure point which relates to the problem in the body.
Over-the-counter medications are of many types which can be taken according to the degree of pain relief you require. High impact exercises are good in a young and healthy body but in the case of osteoarthritis it can have an opposite effect, your condition can worsen very quickly so change to low impact exercises that are beneficial to your health.
There are many options in low impact exercises which your physiotherapist will tell you. There are a lot of healthy diet options which your nutritionist can help with according to the condition of your joints and body weight. Certain nutrients are known to help in the condition of osteoarthritis by reducing pain and swelling in the joints.
Always consult your doctor, physiotherapist, and dietician before starting anything new.
