Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Keeping Your Hometown Healthy

by Dr. Sandra B. Nichols, Director

Arkansas Department of Health

Osteoarthritis.

Even if you don't know exactly what this ailment is, you probably have a hunch it's not something to be welcomed. You're right. But, as you age, you will probably become all too familiar with the condition.

As the name indicates, osteoarthritis is a form of arthritis and does affect joints. However, it specifically affects the cartilage that connects and cushions the ends of the two bones in a joint.

Theoretically, these bones and tissues are hinged together to provide smooth action and bone protection for a lifetime of service, but for many of us, cartilage begins to wear out and cause pain long before we reach Aa certain age.@

Cartilage can also tear during a sudden injury.

When it wears out or becomes too thin, it no longer protects the bones from moving around or bumping into each other. A small area of friction can cause pain that ranges from mild to severe.

The joints most often affected by osteoarthritis are in the hips, knees, fingers, neck and the top or bottom of the spine. It can also strike the wrists, elbows, feet and ankles.

Dancers, athletes, typists and others who repeatedly use particular joints may be affected.

An estimated 16 million Americans have osteoarthritis, also called degenerative joint disease. Studies show that women are affected more often and more severely after the age of 55 than men. The folowing age categories are most frequently affected:

! about 2 percent of those under the age of 45;

! about 30 percent of those between 45 and 64; and

! about half of those over the age of 65.

You may want to talk to your doctor about osteoarthritis if you have noticed:

! a dull, aching pain in a joint that imroves with rest;

! stiffness in a joint for a short time in the morning;

! loss of range of motion in a joint;

! enlargement of a joint; and

! a noisy joint that sounds like bones are rubbing against each other.

Because these symptoms may also be caused by other types of arthritis (there are more than 100 types), an accurate diagnosis by a doctor is important. Different types of arthritis require different types of treatment. This is why appropriate, effective treatment depends on an accurate diagnosis.

Doctors diagnose the condition through a combination of examination and tests. They look for joint swelling, a limited range of motion and signs of inflammation. A blood test and fluid from the joint may be needed. X-Rays may also be used to look inside the joint for cartilage deterioration or abnormal bone growths.

Avoid unproven remedies such as snake venom and fish oil. Even harmless remedies can worsen the problem if they cause you to stop or slow down appropriate treatments.

There are a variety of treatments to ease the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis. They include:

! exercise and physical therapy (check with your doctor, too much exercise or the wrong kinds, can cause further damage);

! medications that relieve pain;

! injectins for painful flare-ups; and

! in severe cases, surgery, such as reshaping or replacing a damaged joint.

Hot towels or ice packs may also help reduce pain and swelling. The best way to prevent osteoarthritis for as long as possible is to keep off as much excess weight as possible (a recent study found that weigh loss reduced knee osteoarthritis), try not to overuse joints, warm up your muscles before sports or exercise, and eat a well-balanced diet.

Help your knees, ankles and back by wearing shoes that support your body evenly and fit well.

For more informatin, call 1-800-482-8858.