Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis Treatment in Alwarpet, Chennai

Arthritis is the inflammation of the joints. There are different types of arthritis, one of which is osteoarthritis. It is the most common type of arthritis and is more prevalent than the other types. In this condition, the joints lose their protective covering -  the cartilage causes friction between the bones leading to pain and stiffness at the joints. Osteoarthritis is most commonly seen at the joints of limbs, the spine and the hip joint. If joint pain is what is troubling you, visit an ortho hospital near you with the best orthopedic surgeon near you who will suggest an orthopedic surgery to get you treated.  

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition. It develops slowly over time. Hence, the symptoms may worsen if left untreated. There is total degeneration of the bony cartilages. The common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis are:  

• Pain at the affected joints due to repetitive use of the joint   
• Swelling of the joints 
• Tenderness 
• Stiffness 
• Discomfort while performing any action involving the joints 
• Creaking of the joints  
• Restricted mobility of the joints 

What causes osteoarthritis? 

Osteoarthritis causes damage to the joints. Age is one of the most important risk factors for osteoarthritis. With advancing age, there is more and more wear and tear of the joint cartilages leading to osteoarthritis. The other common causes or risk factors for osteoarthritis are: 

• Gender - osteoarthritis is more common in women than in men 
• Unhealthy body weight and obesity 
• Injury at the joints causing dislocation of the joint or tearing of the cartilages and the ligaments  
• Bony deformities 
• Heredity 
• Poor and improper postures while working 
• Repeated stress on the joints 
• Metabolic conditions like diabetes and hemochromatosis (increased iron content in the body) 

When do you need to see a doctor?  

 If you start noticing pain and stiffness at your joint, visit an orthopedic hospital near you. Consult an orthopedic doctor in Chennai and get yourself treated at the earliest.  

Request an appointment at Apollo Spectra Hospitals, Alwarpet, Chennai.

Call 1860 500 2244 to book an appointment.

How is osteoarthritis prevented?

 
A few risk factors cannot be avoided like advancing age and genetic predilection but you can bring in some lifestyle changes so that you can avoid risks of osteoarthritis in the future.   

• Maintain a healthy diet. 
• Maintain healthy body weight and focus on losing those extra pounds.  
• Do not overexert your joints and muscles. Give your body sufficient rest. 
• Maintain your blood sugar level.  

How is osteoarthritis treated?  

• Medications - This approach will help you reduce the symptoms of osteoarthritis. The aim of providing medication is to help patients get relief from their pain through pharmaceutical drugs. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs help in relieving osteoarthritis pain. Apart from these, analgesics and narcotics also can be used in conditions with severe and unbearable pain as these drugs have a longer duration of action. 
• Physical therapy - This is a conservative approach to treating osteoarthritis. Can be opted for in tandem with medications, helping patients get relief from pain quickly. Physical therapy may include:
  • Stretching exercises 
  • Hydrotherapy  
  • Heat and cold therapy 

All these exercises help in relieving pain at the affected joints. These exercises restore the flexibility of the muscles and mobility of the joints.  

• Surgical - If the conservative approaches mentioned above do not help in improving the condition, you might have to consider surgical treatment for osteoarthritis. The surgical option for osteoarthritis is:
  • Joint replacement/Arthroplasty - This procedure is performed under general anesthesia and during this surgical procedure, an incision is made at the site of the affected joint and the affected part of the joint is removed and replaced with an implant. The incision is sutured back.  

Conclusion

Osteoarthritis cannot be reversed but the treatment options will surely help in preventing the symptoms to worsen. Consult an orthopedic doctor near you to get yourself treated.