Arthritis is very common but is not well understood. Actually, “arthritis” is not a single disease; it is an informal way of referring to joint pain or joint disease. Common arthritis joint symptoms include swelling, pain, stiffness and decreased range of motion. Severe arthritis can result in chronic pain, inability to do daily activities and make it difficult to walk or climb stairs. Arthritis can cause permanent joint changes. These changes may be visible, such as knobby finger joints, but often the damage can only be seen on X-ray.
“US estimates show there are 20 million people with arthritis.
A number projected to grow to 40 million by 2020.”
“Estimates that do exist for Asia’s arthritis victims 150 Million in India At least 65 Million in China 10 million in Japan.”
Knee Arthritis also known as Knee osteoarthritis is a degenerative knee condition where the articular cartilage of your knee joint gradually wears away, exposing the underlying bone.
As your knee arthritis progresses, bony spurs also develop in and around your knee joint in response to the change in load distribution and biomechanics.
Within your knee, there are two joints which can be affected by knee arthritis: the tibiofemoral joint - the joint between your thigh bone (femur) and your lower leg (tibia) and the patellofemoral joint (the joint between the kneecap and the femur itself).
Hip Arthritis commonly describes the most common for of hip arthritis, which is known medically as Hip Osteoarthritis.
Hip osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects your hip joint cartilage. Articular cartilage is the hard slippery surface that covers the sections of bones that move against each other in your hip joint.
Healthy articular cartilage allows your hip joint bones to smoothly and painlessly glide over each other and also helps to absorb any shock forces not dispersed by your hip muscles.
Osteoarthritis usually starts from the late 40s onwards. This may be due to bodily changes that come with ageing, such as weakening muscles, weight gain, and the body becoming less able to heal itself effectively
Family history of disease
Increasing age
Overuse of the joint
Major injury
Overweight
Symptoms
Low grade aching pain
Stiffness after rest
On Examination
Motion is painful and limited
Creaking and grating sensation of movement
Joint is enlarged
It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis if you think you have arthritis, as different types of arthritis often need very different treatments. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is usually based on:
Your symptoms – how and when they started, how they’ve developed, how they affect your life, and any factors that make them better or worse
a) Tenderness over the joint
b) Creaking or grating of the joint – known as crepitus
c) Bony swelling
d) Excess fluid
e) Restricted movement
f) Joint instability
g) Weakness or thinning of the muscles that support the joint.
Avoid over use of the joint
Avoid injury to knee
Walking, swimming, aquatic exercises and cycling are good for knees
Nutritional diet and milk and milk product are help full for the strength of bones and joints
Conventional medicine (IBUPROFEN, DICLOFENAC, INDOMETHACIN etc.)
Cartilage Nourishing Agents
Intra Articular Injections
Knee braces
Quadriceps strengthening exercises
Role of Arthroscopy
Role of Osteotomy
Role of Total Knee Replacement
