Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease which affects joints in the body. Cartilage, which cushions the ends of the bones, becomes damaged and the surrounding bone grows thicker. The bone at the edge of the joint grows outwards and forms bony spurs known as osteophytes. The membrane surrounding the joint can also become inflamed.
This damage can lead to use limitations, stiffness and pain.
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE) estimates that there are between 1,325,000 and 1,750,000 osteoarthritis patients in England and Wales.
Osteoarthritis has been thought of as a "wear and tear" condition because it is prevalent in old age and can affect load bearing joints. This isn't really appropriate as it appears that osteoarthritis may be caused by a wide range of different factors which we don't fully understand.
The BMJ points out that "Traditionally, it has been considered a disease of articular cartilage. The current concept holds that osteoarthritis involves the entire joint organ, including the subchondral bone, menisci, ligaments, periarticular muscle, capsule, and synovium."
In severe osteoarthritis, the cartilage no longer covers the bones decreasing its ability to act as a shock absorber and causing the bones to rub against each other.. Over time this can change the shape of the affected joint and cause deformity.
Over 50% of people over the age of 65 have osteoarthritis and 10% have some disability because of this.
In the UK the Arthritis Research Campaign estimates that over 8 million people are affected by osteoarthritis and approximately 1 million of these ask for treatment.
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, treatments are targeted at releiving pain and helping people to remain active.
Osteoarthritis is also known as ostoarthrosis, degenerative joint disease and arthrosis.
There are many different types of osteoarthritis-
Osteoarthritis of the Knee.
This is more prevalent in women than men and usually affects both knees. It is particularly common in middle aged women who are overweight. Another significant risk factor is a previous knee injury. Pain is usually felt at the front and sides of the knee.OA of the knee is more common in Afro Caribbean people than it is in white people. In severe cases the knees become bent and bowed.
Osteoarthritis of the Hand.
Osteoarthritis of the hands mainly affects women and usually starts during the menopause. It usually affects the joints at the end of the fingers and the base of the thumb.Over several years knobbly swellings form on the back of the affected joint. Once this has occurred the fingers will work well but the thumb may continue to cause problems. This type of OA runs in families and only affects white people.
Osteoarthritis of the Hip
This affects both sexes equally with pain felt mostly in the front of the groin although radiated pain can be felt around the thigh, the buttock and down to the knee. In severe cases, the affected leg may become a little shorter. People of Chinese and Afro-Caribbean origin rarely get OA of the hip. Farmers are at particular risk of developing this condition as are those people who have had some kind of congenital dislocation or abnormal development in childhood.
Osteoarthritis of the Foot
This affects the joint at the base of the big toe which may lead to stiffness, making walking difficult, or causes the toe to distort which leads to painful bunions.
