Treatment options for Osteoarthritis.
There are several types of arthritis that affect the human body. The most common is known as osteoarthritis (oseteo - meaning bone). It is estimated that over 1 million people will see their G.P a year with this condition - and how many of those people are told "there's nothing you can do- it's just wear and tear".
There are so many myths and misconceptions about treatments / diets / therapies for osteoarthritis that a little bit of knowledge can go a long way!
Who suffers from Osteoarthritis?
If you think that only old people suffer from arthritis - you are sadly mistaken. Although it is more commonly observed in the over 50's there are many young people that develop the condition after fractured joints and major ligament tears or even just from playing contact sports.
What is Osteoarthritis (OA)?
Joints are formed where two separate bones meet. The ends of the bones in healthy joints are covered in cartilage which is smooth (it has the look and feel of hardboiled egg white). As our joints age or as these joints become overloaded the cartilage starts to wear away and eventually breaks down to become uneven and abrasive. Where the joint used to move smoothly without friction it starts to stiffen and as a result can become swollen. This can occur in practically any joint within the body from the fingers to toes.
The strange thing about osteoarthritis (OA) is, its effects are completely different from one person to the next. For example the early stages of OA in a young athlete's big toe may be infinity more painful than severe arthritis in an elderly ladies hip. It means the level of arthritis present in a joint does not correspond to the level of pain or amount of disability this causes.
What are the symptoms of OA?
There are so many myths and misconceptions about treatments / diets / therapies for osteoarthritis that a little bit of knowledge can go a long way!
Who suffers from Osteoarthritis?
If you think that only old people suffer from arthritis - you are sadly mistaken. Although it is more commonly observed in the over 50's there are many young people that develop the condition after fractured joints and major ligament tears or even just from playing contact sports.
What is Osteoarthritis (OA)?
Joints are formed where two separate bones meet. The ends of the bones in healthy joints are covered in cartilage which is smooth (it has the look and feel of hardboiled egg white). As our joints age or as these joints become overloaded the cartilage starts to wear away and eventually breaks down to become uneven and abrasive. Where the joint used to move smoothly without friction it starts to stiffen and as a result can become swollen. This can occur in practically any joint within the body from the fingers to toes.
The strange thing about osteoarthritis (OA) is, its effects are completely different from one person to the next. For example the early stages of OA in a young athlete's big toe may be infinity more painful than severe arthritis in an elderly ladies hip. It means the level of arthritis present in a joint does not correspond to the level of pain or amount of disability this causes.
What are the symptoms of OA?
- Joint stiffness this is the most common sign with arthritic joints losing their normal range of movement
- Painful joints usually mild to moderate aching type pain
- Swollen joints mild swelling surrounding joints which can fluctuate on a daily basis
- Weakness weakness develops in the surrounding musculature
- X-ray signs one of the best ways of diagnosing OA is looking at the joints through x-rays
Physiotherapy and Osteoarthritis
There are no drugs and no treatments that are going to CURE osteoarthritis. However physiotherapy can treat the problems associated with OA, and this will have a major impact on how osteoarthritis affects your day to day life. Physiotherapy focuses on the symptoms of arthritis. If you increase the range of movement and strength (muscles) of a joint you decrease pain and fluid. So it is rubbish to suggest there is little that can be done for OA , in reality there is a vast array of treatment options:
There are no drugs and no treatments that are going to CURE osteoarthritis. However physiotherapy can treat the problems associated with OA, and this will have a major impact on how osteoarthritis affects your day to day life. Physiotherapy focuses on the symptoms of arthritis. If you increase the range of movement and strength (muscles) of a joint you decrease pain and fluid. So it is rubbish to suggest there is little that can be done for OA , in reality there is a vast array of treatment options:
- Joint manipulations and mobilisations : to reduce joint stiffness and pain
- Stretching techniques : to lengthen joint capsules
- Specific muscle strengthening : home and gym based muscle exercises
- Fluid reducing massage : to relieve swollen joints
- Exercise therapy : proven to reduce joint pain
A thorough physiotherapy assessment will identify the specific planes of movement that have been lost in a joint and the specific muscles that need to be strengthened. So if a certain joint is affecting your day to day life then come down to The Physio Co. clinic for an initial assessment and treatment.
Glucosamine for Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine or chondroitin are compounds extracted from animal products that have been marketed as a treatment for OA. The makers of this product claim glucosamine is effective in the repair of damaged joint cartilage however this claim is nothing more than clever marketing. A meta-analysis pulling together all the research on Glucosamine has found it has NO benefit for OA sufferers. (Wandel et al 2010) The national institute for health and clinical excellence does not recommend the prescription of glucosamine due to the lack of evidence of usefulness .
Osteoarthritis and ACL tears
Unfortunately there is a significant increased risk of developing OA after an ACL tear. Research suggests 20-40% of patients who tore the ACL would show signs of OA within 15 years. Surgeons believe that swift ACL reconstruction after injury will help to reduce this risk.
Wandel S JP, Juni P, Tendal B et al . Effects of glucosamine, chondroitin, or placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee: network meta-analysis. BMJ 2010 (sept 16)
Glucosamine for Osteoarthritis
Glucosamine or chondroitin are compounds extracted from animal products that have been marketed as a treatment for OA. The makers of this product claim glucosamine is effective in the repair of damaged joint cartilage however this claim is nothing more than clever marketing. A meta-analysis pulling together all the research on Glucosamine has found it has NO benefit for OA sufferers. (Wandel et al 2010) The national institute for health and clinical excellence does not recommend the prescription of glucosamine due to the lack of evidence of usefulness .
Osteoarthritis and ACL tears
Unfortunately there is a significant increased risk of developing OA after an ACL tear. Research suggests 20-40% of patients who tore the ACL would show signs of OA within 15 years. Surgeons believe that swift ACL reconstruction after injury will help to reduce this risk.
Wandel S JP, Juni P, Tendal B et al . Effects of glucosamine, chondroitin, or placebo in patients with osteoarthritis of hip or knee: network meta-analysis. BMJ 2010 (sept 16)