Osteoarthritis or sometimes called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis is the most common form of arthritis. It can causes pain, swelling and reduced motion in your joints mainly hands, knees, hips or spine. People with osteoarthritis tends to have their cartilage broken down in their joints. Your cartilage absorbs the shock of movement and absorb the impact. When you lose cartilage, your bones will rub together. Over a period of time, this rubbing can permanently damage the joint.
Osteoarthritis gradually worsens with time, and so far no cure has been found. This disease is often linked to aging. One of the common sites of osteoarthritis in geriatric patient is the medial compartment of the knee (see pictures of knee osteoarthritis). And as the pain increases, the patient might become more sedentary, often gaining weight, which will have a chain reaction and increases the load on the knee. That is why knee replacements have become so common nowadays.
Osteoarthritis Explained – Signs, Symptoms And Treatments
However, if the patient seeks treatment earlier, and with the help of orthotics, special therapies and weight loss (special diet for osteoarthritis), there is still hope for patients with medial-compartment osteoarthritis.
