osteoarthritis

We have all known at least one person suffering from joint pain with a history of prolonged labour, usually our grandparents. It is the most common locomotor diseases encountered affecting millions of people worldwide.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition of the major joints, where the cartilage that separates the two bones of a joint becomes thin from wear and tear or injury.  Despite this being the main problem in the joint, this is followed by inflammation, the surrounding structures of ligament, menisci, joint capsule are also involved contributing to the characteristic set of symptoms in OA.

OA can be primary (without any known/ acquired cause) or secondary (due to injury, infections, systemic diseases, inflammation) YMPTOMS

The main triad in OA are pain, stiffness and locomotor restriction. And these symptoms may affect only one joint (mono articular) or more than 1 joint (polyarticular).  proximal and distal interphalangeal joints (fingers), first carpometacarpal (CMC) joints, hips, knees, first metatarsophalangeal joints, and joints of the lower cervical and lumbar spine are affected by OA as these are put through everyday wear and tear.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that develops gradually, so you may notice these symptoms:

• Pain in the joints at the beginning of and during movement.
• Stiffness worse in the morning, lasts for a few minutes and gets better with movement.
• Loss of flexibility may be seen as inability to get up without support.
• Swelling of the joint may be accompanied with warmth and tenderness (pain on touch)
• Other symptoms include cracking in the joints, inability to do minute work with hands. CAUSES
  

The cartilage acts as a cushion between the two bones in the joint, but when the cushion gets thinner from age and work, these bones have lesser space in between. In response to this, there is growth of osteophytes on the joint margins and the cartilage becomes rough and irregular.

The cartilage has no nerve supply, so the pain felt is not from the damaged cartilage, rather due to inflammation of the synovium , menisci and ligaments.

• RISK FACTORS
  
• Obesity causing systemic inflammation, excessive load to joints
• Injury or strain to the joint
• Prexisting joint disease like malformed joint or defective cartilage
• Old age
• Females, especially after menopause have greater risk of developing OA
• Genetics, many people tend to have OA running through the family.
• COMPLICATIONS
  
• Joint deformities
• Poor range of motion
• Pain and stiffness in increased intensity
• DIAGNOSIS
  

If you find any of the risk factors relatable, visit a consultant. They may need a complete picture of symptoms, family history, an Xray, a physical examination and blood tests to rule out other diagnosis.

• HOMOEOPATHIC MEDICINES
  

BRYONIA: pain in joint worse from motion, better by pressure and rest. Knee hot and painful to touch, chilly

RHUS TOXICODENDRON: pain in joint worse from rest and first motion; better by continued motion; when getting chilled in a warm weather

CALCAREA CARBONICUM: pain and swelling in fleshy, obese people; worse from climbing stairs, weight and stiffness of legs; sweating of feet

RUTA GRAVEOLENS: worse from bending knee, down the stairs, better by pressure on affected knee and stretching the leg;

SULPHUR: pain is aggravated while climbing stairs, on standing and excessive heat in the feet along with the knee pains.

OA HIPS: causticum, aesculus hippocastanum, eupatorium perfoliatum, phosphoric acid, staphysagria

OA OF FINGERS: Anticrudum, benzoicum acidum, calcarea flouricum