Osteoarthritis (OA) can be crippling if untreated as it disintegrates the cartilage that supports the joints of the spine, knees, hands, and spine. This causes debilitating pain because the bones start rubbing against one another.
What are the stages of osteoarthritis?
- Stage 1 – Minor. Minor wear-and-tear in the joints. Little to no pain in the affected area.
- Stage 2 – Mild. More noticeable bone spurs. ...
- Stage 3 – Moderate. Cartilage in the affected area begins to erode. ...
- Stage 4 – Severe. The patient is in a lot of pain.
How does osteoarthritis progress?
Generally, radiological lesions gradually and slowly increase . However, the pace of this progression can be very variable. In extreme cases, some cases of osteoarthritis may remain stable for decades, while others progress very rapidly to complete destruction of the cartilage in the space of a few months.
How do you stop progression of osteoarthritis?
- Maintain a Healthy Weight. Excess weight puts additional pressure on weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. ...
- Control Blood Sugar. ...
- Get Physical. ...
- Protect Joints. ...
- Choose a Healthy Lifestyle.
What happens as osteoarthritis progresses?
In the later stages of osteoarthritis, all the joint structures are affected . Healthy lubricating fluid is lost and the joint affected by osteoarthritis may fill with inflammatory fluids that stretch the joint capsule, causing swelling, more pain, and stiffness. Stronger pain medication may be needed.
What does the pain of osteoarthritis feel like?
You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and you might hear popping or crackling. Bone spurs. These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint. Swelling.
Does walking worsen osteoarthritis?
Doctor’s Response. Exercise, including walking, can be beneficial for osteoarthritis patients. Exercise can help to reduce pain and increase quality of life. Lack of exercise can lead to more joint stiffness, muscle weakness and tightness, and loss of joint motion.
What is end stage osteoarthritis?
Eventually, at the end stage of arthritis, the articular cartilage wears away completely and bone on bone contact occurs . The vast majority of people diagnosed have osteoarthritis and in most cases the cause of their condition cannot be identified. One or more joints may be affected.
How crippling is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is rarely crippling , but it can have a major impact on a person’s life. Many people miss work days or skip favorite activities when the pain flares up. The condition is responsible for more than 27.5 million outpatient visits per year, according to data from the Arthritis Foundation.
Is osteoarthritis worse than arthritis?
OA is more common than RA . Both involve inflammation in the joints, but RA causes much more inflammation. Until recently, experts believed that inflammation was not a feature of OA, and researchers are still investigating the role that it plays in the illness — whether it is a cause or a result of the condition.
What is the best painkiller for osteoarthritis?
Pills. NSAIDs are the most effective oral medicines for OA. They include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) naproxen (Aleve) and diclofenac (Voltaren, others). All work by blocking enzymes that cause pain and swelling.
Can you end up in a wheelchair with osteoarthritis?
Pain, stiffness, or difficulty moving could affect your mobility, making tasks like walking or driving very difficult. You may need to use a cane, walker, or wheelchair to get around. Some people require assistance getting in or out of a car.
Is osteoarthritis a disability?
Is Osteoarthritis a Disability? Osteoarthritis can be considered a disability by the SSA . You can get Social Security disability with osteoarthritis. When you apply for disability benefits, your diagnosis and medical evidence to back up your diagnosis needs to match a listing outlined in the SSA’s Blue Book.
Does the pain of osteoarthritis ever go away?
Treating osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition and cannot be cured , but it doesn’t necessarily get any worse over time and it can sometimes gradually improve. A number of treatments are also available to reduce the symptoms.
How bad can osteoarthritis get?
Osteoarthritis symptoms can range from mild to severe and can progress over time . In a healthy person, cartilage normally covers the ends of your bones where the joint forms. With severe osteoarthritis, the cartilage erodes and bone rubs on bone.
Does osteoarthritis worsen faster?
Osteoarthritis does not evolve uniformly, it is unpredictable. It can remain silent for a long time and not manifest itself even though the joint looks very damaged on the X-ray. But it can also worsen rapidly over several weeks or months at a stage when the X-rays are almost normal.
