Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a common condition affecting the body’s joints, resulting in osteoarthritis symptoms such as pain or stiffness; this may occur in certain areas depending on where the joints are affected, for example, the most common osteoarthritis types are of the knee, hip, ankle, and hand/wrist. Some people may find it occurs in one area, whereas others will experience it in multiple areas.

Osteoarthritis is very common, with around 8.5 million people in the UK seeking treatment for osteoarthritis symptoms. It most often affects people over the age of 40 and is more prevalent in women than men.

There is no cure, but many osteoarthritis treatments are available, and there are ways to help make sure a person can manage their symptoms, reduce their pain and ensure their symptoms do not worsen.

For further information on ‘what is osteoarthritis?’, visit the Arthritis Research UK website.

The bones within the body are connected by joints. Osteoarthritis may develop when there is damage to the surface of these joints; this causes changes in the joint and bones around it:

The Arthritis Research UK website has a wealth of information about how normal joints work, and what causes osteoarthritis to develop.

Increasing age, being overweight and having had major operations on joints are all potential osteoarthritis causes. These factors may increase a person’s risk of developing the condition.

Repetitive tasks and physically demanding tasks done over an extended period may also lead to osteoarthritis. For example, a person who lifts heavy loads for many years may be at higher risk.

It is also possible to develop abnormalities in the joints during childhood, which may lead to osteoarthritis at some stage.

Genetic research suggests some types of osteoarthritis potentially run in families, such as nodal osteoarthritis, but this is still being explored.

One or a combination of these factors may be what triggers osteoarthritis for some people and not others.

If you think you may have osteoarthritis symptoms, we advise you visit your GP to discuss these. Your GP is likely to examine the affected area. They may determine an osteoarthritis diagnosis depending on your age and description of symptoms. They may also recommend you have an X-ray. You will have the physical symptoms of osteoarthritis explained to you, as well as treatment options that are available.

To find out more about the symptoms of osteoarthritis, visit the NHS website.

Your GP may recommend some or a combination of these osteoarthritis treatments:

If your pain is very severe, your GP may prescribe stronger medication such as naproxen, tramadol, or meptazinol.

If you are referred to a physiotherapy service, you may be given specific osteoarthritis exercises to mobilise your joints and muscles. You may also receive massage therapy to physically manipulate the muscles and tissue, to improve mobility and reduce discomfort. For more information about how physiotherapy may be able to help you, visit the NHS Choices website.

There are also a number of other complementary therapy practitioners, trained to offer treatment for osteoarthritis pain and symptoms, for example, acupuncturists, chiropractors and osteopaths. Their services are rarely available through the NHS, but your GP can advise if they would be of benefit to you and may be able to refer you to a private practitioner. If you are interested in how these services may be able to help you, Versus Arthritis have a section on their website that offers more information on complementary therapies and if they could help.

Some people who have severe pain or mobility problems as a result of their osteoarthritis may be offered surgery to replace the damaged joint. Arthroplasty is the most common, which replaces knee and hip joints. Arthrodesis and osteotomy are also sometimes carried out. Versus Arthritis have a useful section on their website which provides information about the benefits and risks of surgery.

Living with osteoarthritis, or any condition which causes pain, can sometimes be challenging both physically and mentally.

There is lots of help for osteoarthritis in the form of counselling and advice on how to deal with pain. The NHS ‘living with pain’ section gives tips on how to manage pain, including relaxation techniques and how to access NHS services for osteoarthritis help. PainSupport also offer a summary of pain relief techniques that you may find work for you.

If you have mobility problems as a result of your osteoarthritis or are finding everyday tasks difficult, there are daily living aids for osteoarthritis that may help you.

Here, we include a guide to osteoarthritis aids to help with a variety of daily tasks that you may be finding difficult depending on where your pain is located.

If you would like to speak to one of our Occupational Therapists to find if there are any daily living aids that may help you or someone you care for, please email them productadvice@healthcarepro.co.uk or telephone 0345 121 8111.

Exercise helps to keep the body mobile by strengthening muscles and keeping joints flexible. It is important to try and exercise regularly, which can help reduce the risk of developing conditions such as osteoarthritis. If you have been given a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, it is important to undertake strength and aerobic exercise in order to strengthen the muscles, which in turn will help to stabilise your joints. Swimming is an excellent form of exercise as it does not put strain on joints since the water supports your weight.

If you are embarking on an exercise regime for the first time, or need some advice on how to exercise safely, we recommend discussing this with your GP.

If you are referred to a physiotherapy service, you are likely to be given specific osteoarthritis exercises to undertake several times a day, which will strengthen the muscles around the affected joints. Arthritis Research UK also describes a range of exercises to manage pain in specific areas of the body.

There is no specific diet for osteoarthritis, but it is important to maintain a healthy weight to avoid putting more strain on your joints. Some people believe that healthy eating for osteoarthritis should involve consuming foods that have anti-inflammatory properties. This is often a Mediterranean diet, including fish, fruit, vegetables, pulses, olive oil and nuts, which are all considered to have an anti-inflammatory component.

Some people also find that certain foods are osteoarthritis triggers, and report that eating, for example, a gluten-free or acid-free diet has reduced their pain. However, what works for one person does not necessarily work for another, and research does not yet confirm that these diets have an impact on the condition.

Some people also take supplements for osteoarthritis, including glucosamine, omega-3 or evening primrose oil. There is little evidence to support that these have an effect on the condition.

We recommend you speak to your GP before changing your diet or taking osteoarthritis supplements.

Many people diagnosed with osteoarthritis are able to work but may require reasonable adjustments to their working environment to help ensure they can carry out tasks safely and comfortably. You may need to take time off if the pain is hard to cope with. It is advisable to speak to your employer to let them know about your diagnosis. For more advice, visit the Versus Arthritis website.

Action on Pain Painline

Versus Arthritis local communities

Away with Pain forum

Living With OA Facebook Page

Osteoarthritis Support Group

Versus Arthritis – the go-to place for information and advice on all aspects of arthritis.

NHS Choices – provides medical information about most healthcare conditions.

Pain Support – provides resources and support for people living with chronic pain.

Acupuncturist

– a practitioner of acupuncture, which involves inserting needles into the skin and/or muscles to stimulate nerves

Arthroplasty

– a surgical procedure that aims to reconstruct joints, often using an artificial joint

Arthrodesis

– a surgical procedure that fuses bones together

Chiropractors

– healthcare professionals that use spinal manipulations to relieve pain and restore spinal and muscular function

Crepitus

– when joints crunch, grind or creak due to arthritis or other conditions

Evening primrose oil

– a supplement made from flower seeds which is used to treat a variety of health complaints including inflammation

Glucosamine

– found naturally in the joint cartilage and responsible for producing the fluid that keeps joints lubricated, this is also available as a nutritional supplement

Meptazinol

– pain relief drug, part of the opioid family

Naproxen

– a drug used to treat inflammation of the muscles and joints, commonly prescribed for arthritis

Nodal osteoarthritis

– painful osteoarthritis of the finger joints, where they become very swollen for a few weeks at a time

Omega-3

– found naturally in foods but also available as a supplement, which is taken to lower blood pressure and reduce a build-up of plaque in arteries, as well as helping boost immunity and reduce inflammation of joints

Osteophytes

– malformations in bones that appear as sharp spurs or points

Osteopaths

– health professionals that look at the body as a whole system and treat particular health complaints by manipulating joints and the spine, whilst massaging tissue

Osteotomy

– a surgical procedure that cuts and alters bones that have healed or grown incorrectly

Synovium

– tissue in the joints that creates synovial fluid, which lubricates joints

TENS machine

– TENS stands for Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation, and a TENS machine is a small device with electrodes that attach to the skin, and delivers electrical impulses to areas of the body that are painful, which reduces pain signals and relaxes muscles

Tramadol

– pain relief drug in the narcotic or opioid family