The most common joint disease is OA, which occurs when the cartilage between the bones breaks down and causes severe chronic pain. This is a very common type of arthritis. Osteoarthritis affects the entire joint, not just the cartilage.
Commonly affected joint by Osteoarthritis
- Neck sHips
- Back pain
- The finger joints
- Thumb’s rule
- Knees
- The toe’s base
Risk Factors
Gender: Women are predisposed to osteoarthritis more than men, particularly after menopause.
Joint injuries: Being overweight and putting undue strain on joints accelerates the deterioration of cartilage.
Genes: If this runs in your family, the likelihood of developing it increases.
Age: The condition is common in the elderly due to progressive changes that occur in the joints in old age.
Occupation: Repetitive strain from sports and other activities.
Other: A history of inflammatory illness or the use of certain medications.
Signs and Symptoms
Asymptomatic osteoarthritis is possible. The symptoms appear gradually and worsen over time.
- During passive joint movement, there is a cracking sound in the joint.
- Severe joint pain and swelling
- Tenderness in the joints is most common when light pressure is applied to the joint
- Joint flexibility decline
Stages of Osteoarthritis
Early Osteoarthritis
- Specific physical activities cause joint pain
- Pain caused by a specific movement
Mid-Osteoarthritis
- Pain occurs sporadically alongside symptoms
- Pain became more frequent over time
- It is possible that this will interfere with daily functioning
Late Osteoarthritis
- Drab ache
- The pain becomes chronic
How does a doctor diagnose Osteoarthritis?
- To determine signs, the doctor performs a physical examination and examines affected areas.
- To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will most likely examine your blood tests and joint fluid parameters.
- To get a clear picture of the joints, the doctor may order imaging studies such as X-rays and MRIs.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis is a permanent medical condition. Treatment can assist you in effectively managing your pain and other symptoms. The following are included in the treatment:
Medication
To alleviate discomfort and pain, the doctor may prescribe pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Therapies
- Physiotherapy: Your doctor may refer you for physical therapy, which helps you work out to strengthen the muscles surrounding the knee joint in order to relieve pain and increase flexibility.
- Occupational Therapy: A therapist can assist you in learning techniques to make your daily tasks easier.
Procedures/Injections
- Cortisone injections: To alleviate joint pain.
- Viscosupplementation injection: To lubricate your joint and pain.
Surgeries
- Realignment of bones: May advise you on a knee osteotomy. Because one side of your knee is more damaged than the other, your doctor may recommend an osteotomy.
- Joint replacement: This is a surgical procedure in which your damaged part of the knee is replaced with an artificial joint by a doctor.
Lifestyle Changes Play an Important Role
- Weight loss
- Exercising
- Using over-the-counter creams
- Cold pack
- Using heat
When to See a Rheumatologist?
Diagnosis of rheumatological diseases can be difficult. Skeletal and muscle pain is extremely common and can occur several times throughout your life. However, according to rheumatologists, such pain can be caused by an underlying rheumatological disease.
We’ve compiled a list of conditions that you should not ignore and should see a rheumatologist right away.
You are Diagnosed with Rheumatological Disease
There are over 120 different types of arthritis. If you have been diagnosed with one of these rheumatological diseases, do not put off seeing a rheumatologist. Rheumatologists are highly trained medical professionals who treat the following conditions:
- Swelling (inflammation) in multiple joints due to rheumatoid arthritis (RA).
- Porous bones; osteoarthritis
- Vasculitis is defined as swelling (inflammation) of the blood vessels.
- Sjogren’s syndrome is an immune system disorder that causes dry eyes and mouth.
- Scleroderma is characterized by skin hardening or tightening.
- Antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) is a blood disease in which the immune system incorrectly attacks a fat (phospholipid) in the body, causing blood clots.
- Myositis is characterized by muscle swelling and pain.
- Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease affecting the lungs and lymph nodes.
- Polymyalgia rheumatic (PMR) is characterized by muscle pain and stiffness, particularly in the shoulders and hips.
- Other uncommon diseases.
Persistent Joint and Muscle Pain
We all get minor muscle and joint aches now and then, but if the pain persists, it is time to see a doctor. Rheumatological pain is unpleasant and does not respond to simple pain relievers, or it may respond but recurs if the medication is discontinued.
Rashes, fever, fatigue, morning stiffness, and chest pain, as well as joint pain, necessitate a trip to the rheumatologist.
Swelling around Joints
Any symptom suggestive of rheumatological diseases, such as swelling and pain around the joints that is not caused by an injury, should be evaluated by a rheumatologist.
Rheumatoid diseases cause pain, stiffness, and swelling in multiple joints. If you have joint stiffness that lasts more than 30 minutes or worsens in the morning after a long period of inactivity, you should consult a rheumatologist. When rheumatological diseases are diagnosed and treated early, they respond best to medication. If you notice any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your rheumatologist.
Family History of Rheumatological or Autoimmune Diseases
A rheumatologist is also recommended if there is a family history of rheumatological or immune disorders. This is due to the fact that rheumatological diseases are hereditary and frequently run in families. Aside from that, inform your doctor if anyone in your family has had a rheumatological disease.
Abnormal Blood Tests Results
A few test results may necessitate a visit to a rheumatologist. Test results that are abnormal, such as
- Antinuclear antibodies (ANA) testing detects and quantifies the presence of ANA in a patient’s blood.
- Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR); a test that indirectly measures the degree of inflammation in your body is indicative of rheumatological disease.
- Rheumatoid factor (RF); is a test that measures the amount of rheumatoid factor (a protein produced by the immune system) in the body. As a result, if such blood tests yield a positive result, your primary care physician will most likely refer you to a rheumatologist.
Difficulty in Diagnosing a Disease
If you have joint swelling or pain and can’t figure out what’s causing it, seeing a rheumatologist can help. When primary care physicians are unable to make an accurate diagnosis, they frequently refer patients to rheumatologists. Rheumatologists are medical investigators who work with a wide range of rare diseases. Their knowledge and experience in dealing with all systems aid them in diagnosing difficult medical conditions.
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