CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, DIAGNOSIS, AND TREATMENT OF OSTEOARTHRITIS

I.INTRODUCTION A. Background Information

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is a chronic disease that causes deterioration of the joint cartilage and formation of reactive new bone at the margins and subchondral areas of the joints.

B. Purpose
Our purpose in our research paper is to seek knowledge about the causes, symptoms, complications, and treatment. We also want to learn on how to prevent it, what one should do to ease the pain.

C. Thesis statement
Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease that can be prevented or lessen the severity of the joints by proper way of living.

II.BODY A. Causes
1.Part of Aging 2. Obesity

3. Trauma

B. Symptoms
1. Grating of the joint during motion 2. Stiffness in the morning and after exercise(relieved by rest ) 3. Altered gait contractures 4. Restricted movement 5. Aching during changes in weather

C. Treatment
1. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs 2. Physical therapy 3. Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids 4. Weight Reduction

D. Diagnosis
1. Arthroplasty 2. Imbalance nutrition 3. MRI and CT

III. CONCLUSION

BIBLIOGRAPHY Lozada, Carlos J. Osteoarthritis.http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/330487overview. January 18, 2012. March 14,2012 Canvin,Rebecca. Osteoarthritis.http://www.bupa.co.uk/individuals/healthinformation/directory/o/osteoar thritis.January 2012. March 14,2012 Kalunian KC. Risk factors and possible causes of osteoarthritis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Aug. 16, 2011. March 14, 2012 Osteoarthritis.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00227. July 22, 2011. March 14, 2012 Schilling McCann, Judith A. (2008).Visual Nursing A Guide To Disease, Skills and Treatment, Singapore, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. Yuan, Sarah. (2004).Handbook of Diseases (3rd Edition), Singapore, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins Kluwer, Wolters.(2009).Professional Guide to Diseases (9th Edition), USA, Lippincott Williams and Wilkins McGrew, Roderick E. (2010).The New Encyclopedia Britannica Index L-Z (15TH Edition), Chicago, Encyclopedia Britannica, Inc.

One of the causes of Osteoarthritis is Aging, the water content of the cartilage increases, and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerates. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses. In advanced osteoarthritis, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints. Repetitive use of the worn joints over the years can irritate and inflame the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling. Loss of the cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility. Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths (spurs, also referred to as osteophytes) to form around the joints. Osteoarthritis occasionally can develop in multiple members of the same family, implying a hereditary (genetic) basis for this condition. Osteoarthritis may first appear between ages 30 to 40, and is present in almost everyone by age 70. Before age 55, it affects men and women equally, but after age 55 the incidence is higher in women. Obesity may also a cause of Osteoarthritis, Obesity is a chronic condition defined by an excess amount of body fat. A certain amount of body fat is necessary for storing energy, heat insulation, shock absorption, and other functions. since it increasing the mechanical stress on the joint and therefore on the cartilage. In fact, next to aging, obesity is the most significant risk factor for osteoarthritis of the knees. The early development of osteoarthritis of the knees among weight lifters is believed to be in part due to their high body weight. Repeated trauma to joint tissues (ligaments, bones, and cartilage) is believed to lead to early osteoarthritis of the knees in soccer players and army military personnel. Interestingly, studies have not found an increased risk of osteoarthritis in long-distance runners. Crystal deposits in

the cartilage can cause cartilage degeneration and osteoarthritis. Uric acid crystals cause arthritis in gout, while calcium pyrophosphate crystals cause arthritis in pseudogout. Osteoarthritis of the knee usually occurs in knees that have experienced trauma, infection, or injury. A smooth, slippery, fibrous connective tissue, called articular cartilage, acts as a protective cushion between bones. Arthritis develops as the cartilage begins to deteriorate or is lost. As the articular cartilage is lost, the joint space between the bones narrows. This is an early symptom of osteoarthritis of the knee and is easily seen on X-rays. As the disease progresses,the cartilage thins, becoming grooved and fragmented. The surrounding bones react by becoming thicker. They start to grow outward and form spurs. The synovium (a membrane that produces a thick fluid that helps nourish the cartilage and keep it slippery) becomes inflamed and thickened. It may produce extra fluid, often known as "water on the knee," that causes additional swelling.Over a period of years, the joint slowly changes. In severe cases, when the articular cartilage is gone, the thickened bone ends rub against each other and wear away. This results in a deformity of the joint. Normal activity becomes painful and difficult. A number of osteoarthritis symptoms are also commonly experienced by patients suffering from other forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthritis symptoms can range from mild to severe and are usually localized to the affected joint, it does not affect any of the internal organs though it attacks the joints directly. Joint Stiffness is the most common in the morning after getting up in the morning can be hard, it usually lasts less than 30 minutes and decreases with

movement. The pain of osteoarthritis often manifests as a deep ache within or near the affected joint, coupled with a limitation of motion. One of the most frightening osteoarthritis symptoms is the appearance of bony nodes on the bone ends of the fingers. These deformations are a consequence of the direct contact between the bones once the joint cartilage breaks down. Crepitus or crackling with noise movement, the joints may make crunching sounds though it does not hurt and does not mean that there is anything wrong with the joint. It also reduces the range of motion and loss of use of the joint, in some cases as the osteoarthritis gets worse, you may not be able to fully bend, flex, or extend your joints. Muscle has an integral
role in the structure and function of joints. Weak muscle tire easily and respond more slowly.

There is no specific treatment to stop cartilage degeneration in osteoarthritis, apart from weight reduction and avoiding activities that put excessive stress on the joint cartilage. It will most likely get worse over time, however osteoarthritis symptoms can be controlled. Treatment of osteoarthritis focusing on decreasing pain and improving joint movement, here are some ways that can delay or limit the osteoarthritis symptoms, such as Adequate rest that balanced with activity maintains joint and overall movement. Weight reduction (for obese patients), decreasing the weight load can treat the pain and disability of the disease. Physical therapy can also help improve muscle strength and the motion of stiff joints, as well as your sense of balance. If therapy does not make you feel better after 6-8 weeks, then it likely not worked at all. Over-the-counter(OTC) medications like Acetaminophen (Tylenol), the first drug recommended for osteoarthritis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

(NSAIDs) are commonly used for arthritis pain, like aspirin and ibuprofen . Orthoses, These assistive devices, such as neck braces and knee braces, are used to improve function of moveable parts of the body or to support, align, prevent, or correct deformities. Splints or braces help with joint alignment and weight redistribution. Other examples include walkers, crutches or canes. For those who has a uncontrollable pain, surgery is the last option. It is clear that a combination of proper exercise, joint mobility, weight control, nutrition and use of appropriate medication is required to control osteoarthritis. The goal of arthroplasty is to restore the function of a stiffened synovial joint and relieve pain. As a surgical procedure, it is usually performed when medical treatment has not improved function in the affected joint. There are two types of arthroplastic surgery: joint resection and interpositional reconstruction. Joint resection involves removing a portion of the bone from a stiffened joint, increasing the space between the bone and the socket to improve the range of motion. Scar tissue eventually fills the gap, narrowing joint space again. Pain is relieved and motion is restored, but the joint is less stable.Interpositional reconstruction is surgery to reshape the joint and add a prosthetic disk between the two bones forming the joint. The prosthesis can be made of plastic, metal, ceramic material, or formed from such body tissue as skin, muscle, or fascia. When interpositional reconstruction fails, total joint replacement may be necessary. Joint replacement is also called total joint arthroplasty.In recent years, joint replacement has become the operation of choice for most chronic knee and hip problems, particularly because of advances in the type and quality of

prostheses (articifical joints). Elbow, shoulder, ankle, and finger joints are more likely to be treated with joint resection or interpositional reconstruction. Osteoarthritis causes painful and debilitating symptoms in the joints of the hips, knees, back and neck. Eating a nutritious diet can help reduce inflammation and provide nourishment to the cells, making it easier to cope with the effects of osteoarthritis. A healthy diet consists of plenty of raw fruits and vegetables in addition to healthy fats, oils and pure water. Raw vegetables are very beneficial for people who suffer from arthritic conditions. Raw vegetables contain key vitamins and minerals, such as beta carotene and vitamin C, that reduce free radical damage. Free radical damage begins to happen more as you age from unpaired molecules within your body. Free radicals can cause even more harm to already weak joints. Raw foods are wonderful at alkalizing the body over time. The best pH balance for good health is slightly greater than 7.0. However, many people have an acidic pH, which increases inflammation in the body, resulting in disease. Drinking plenty of pure water is another way to balance pH levels. Standard magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans are inconclusive in detecting early degeneration of the cartilage. Magnetic resonance imaging can detect Osteoarthritis with an overall high specificity and moderate sensitivity when compared with various reference standards, thus lending more utility to ruling out Osteoarthritis than ruling it in. The sensitivity of Magnetic Resonance Imaging is below the current clinical diagnostic standards. At this time standard clinical algorithm for Osteoarthritis diagnosis, aided by radiographs appears to be the most effective method for diagnosing Osteoarthritis.