Osteoarthritis, commonly known as "wear and tear" arthritis, usually occurs in older people but can occur at any age. There are an estimated 27 million American’s aged 25 or older who have osteoarthritis and it can significantly impact life.
People with osteoarthritis can experience severe pain and loss of mobility. They may have to give up work or limit their career choices and may be restricted in their daily activities. For these reasons, some people also suffer from depression.
What Causes Osteoarthritis?
Joint cartilage becomes damaged. The cartilage acts as a cushion between your joints to enable them to move smoothly. If this wears away, then the bones can end up rubbing together, causing pain and loss of function.
Why do Younger People Get Osteoarthritis?
Joints can wear out at an earlier age for a variety of reasons, including:
• Congenital abnormalities
• Disabilities – if you have a disability that alters your structure or the way you walk, this can result in osteoarthritis due to you putting uneven amounts of weight on the joints. You might also have diminished bone mineral density.
• Genetics – some people may inherit osteoarthritis.
• Hormone disorders such as diabetes
• Obesity – if you are overweight, the extra weight can put pressure on your joints.
• Occupational exposure – if you have a job that puts high impact on the joints, e.g., athletics, this can cause them to prematurely break down
• Injury – if you have been involved in an accident that caused damage to your joints, this could lead to osteoarthritis.
Reducing the Risk
There are several ways you can reduce your risk of getting osteoarthritis, or manage the symptoms if you already have it.
Exercise
Exercising on a regular basis improves muscle strength around the affected joints so it can decrease pain and help you move more easily. Being active can also reduce your chances of getting arthritis as people who are least active have a higher risk of arthritic joints.
If you already have arthritis and find it painful to move, just walking around your house can help and is better than nothing. You could also try swimming.
Ask your hospital if they provide hydrotherapy. This is where you do exercises in a hot water pool. The heat helps you move more easily and may be pain relieving.
Physical therapy can help keep you supple and reduce any deterioration.
Weight Loss
Losing weight will decrease the load on your joints and decrease your risk of osteoarthritis so if you are above your recommended weight, join a weight loss group or ask your doctor for advice.
Braces or Splints
If you have a disability and are worried about developing osteoarthritis, you could ask your physical therapist or doctor whether it would be advisable to wear a brace or splint. These can hold you in the correct posture and minimize the risk of osteoarthritis from abnormal loading.
Diet and Supplements
Eating a regular supply of foods that are rich in calcium can help strengthen your bones and prevent bone diseases. Examples include:
Leafy green vegetables
Tofu
Milk, cheese and other dairy products
Fish with bones
Nuts
Soy beans and soy milk with added calcium
Fortified breakfast cereals
Fortified bread
You could also take a vitamin D supplement as this vitamin helps the body to absorb calcium.
If you have a high impact career (e.g. sporting) or are at high risk through genetics or disability you could try taking glucosamine supplements as some studies have found that these may decrease loss of cartilage.
Sources:
Osteoarthritis, Medicine Net. Web. 11 January 2012. http://www.medicinenet.com/osteoarthritis/article.htm
Osteoarthritis, Patient UK. Web. 11 January 2012. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/Osteoarthritis.htm
Handout on Health: Osteoarthritis, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Web. 11 January 2012. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Osteoarthritis/default.asp
The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis in cerebral palsy, Developmental Medicine & Child Neurology, Volume 51, Issue Supplement s4, pages 79–83, October 2009. Full Text: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1469-8749.2009.03435.x/full
Exercise Prevents Arthritis Disability, WebMD. Web. 11 January 2012. http://arthritis.webmd.com/news/20060106/exercise-prevents-arthritis-disability
Hydrotherapy, Arthritis Care. Web. 11 January 2012. http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/@2973/Scotland/Campaigns/Hydrotherapy
Calcium, NHS Choices. Web. 11 January 2012. http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Calcium.aspx
Vitamin D, National Institutes of Health. Web. 11 January 2012. http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/
Glucosamine prevents in vitro collagen degradation in chondrocytes by inhibiting advanced lipoxidation reactions and protein oxidation, Arthritis Research & Therapy, Volume 9, Issue 4, 2007.
Full Text: http://arthritis-research.com/content/9/4/R76
Reviewed January 11, 2012
by Michele Blacksberg RN
Edited by Jody Smith