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AT GJP Health Kings Norton, Birmingham, we have many clients and enquiries from people who suffer from osteoarthritis. In this article we explain what osteoarthritis and we do to help you live with it
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints including the cartilage that surrounds the bones, the ligaments and the muscles. Anyone with disabilities associated with mobility in older people is generally caused by osteoarthritis.
A recent study determined that around 5% of people aged between 35 and 55 and 30% of people between 50 and 70 currently suffer from it. In many cases where younger people are affected it has been proved that the cause is attributed to damage to the joint earlier in their life from accidents or sports injuries.
What is a healthy joint
Joints are connected to other bones with cartilage, which creates a non friction surface for the bones. The joint is surrounded by an articular capsule which contains fluid called synovial fluid. This fluid acts as a lubricant to the cartilage. Surrounding this capsule is the muscles and ligaments that hold the joint together.
With the lubricated cartilage, this enables the bones to move without friction or pain. It also absorbs shock and impact when running or jumping.
A healthy joint is one that is well lubricated with synovial fluid and does not give you pain or weakness when moving or taking part in any strenuous activity.
Joints affected by Osteoarthritis
Overtime and as you get older, your joints a subject to a lot of wear and tear and the cartilage can breakdown. Breakdown is where the cartilage becomes thin and weak. When the cartilage disappears, your bones begin to rub together which is know as osteoarthritis.
The main joints affected are the knees, hip and hands:
Knees
When cartilage breaks down in the knees you will feel weight bearing pain, stiffness, crunching and a feeling that the knee is giving away when standing. You may find it difficult to walk up or down stairs or difficulty standing or sitting down.
Hips
You will generally feel pain deep in the groin area and down your thighs. Pain can also travel down to your knee. You will feel a reduction in motion when swiveling or bending to pick things up. Your steps will be reduced when walking and you be forced to bend forward more.
Hands
Pain will be felt in the fingers tips and at the base of the thumb and your muscles will feel weak with stiffness and tenderness felt in your fingers. It will be difficult to make a fist or grasp heavy objects
Can you treat Osteoarthritis?
There is no cure for loss of cartilage and any treatment is only to alleviate pain and improving maneuverability of the affected areas. Part of the treatment is understanding and learning how you can help by doing targeted exercises. At GJP Health we are trained to the highest level to help you mange osteoarthritis, we can assess the problem and offer advice on exercises, how to relieve pain and motivate you to do more within your limits.
If you are suffering from joint pain in Kings Norton or Birmingham, please get in touch
