Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common type of arthritis, is a chronic condition that afflicts some 21 million Americans.

It is characterized by the disintegration of cartilage, the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones. This breakdown causes stiffness, pain and loss of movement. Eventually the cartilage can wear away entirely, causing bone to rub on bone. OA generally affects specific joints such as the hips, hands, knees, lower back and neck.
Joint pain or stiffness occurs most often after periods of either inactivity or overexertion.

Osteoarthritis Causes
Certain factors increase the risk of OA. These include heredity, being overweight, joint injury, repeated overuse of certain joints, lack of physical activity, poor joint alignment, nerve injury and aging. A physical exam, a detailed medical history, and tests such as X-rays and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are generally used to diagnose the condition.

Maintaining a healthy weight can go a long way toward preventing OA, according to Hayes Wilson, M.D., chief of rheumatology at Piedmont Hospital in Atlanta and national medical advisor for the Arthritis Foundation. "If you are ten pounds overweight," says Dr. Wilson, "that's like burdening your knees with thirty pounds." A study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine found that in women, losing as few as 11 pounds could cut the risk of OA of the knee by 50 percent.

Osteoarthritis Treatments
Corticosteroids can be injected into joints to ease inflammation. A substance called hyaluronic acid, which eases dehydration of the cartilage, can be injected into the knees. Acetaminophen may reduce joint pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen may help reduce stiffness and swelling as well as joint pain. Preventive tactics, such as maintaining a healthy weight, can also be beneficial by easing stress on joints.

Although it's not a cure, acupuncture may ease the pain of OA, says Patience White, M.D., M.A., the chief public health officer of the Arthritis Foundation. So can visualization exercises in which arthritis sufferers envision that they are in less pain.
Joint replacement is the treatment of choice when a joint is completely destroyed and there's significant pain and functional limitation. Part or all of the joint may be replaced, typically with metal or plastic. Within 5 to 10 years, scientists may be able to build new cartilage to replace what has worn away.

What exercises are best for alleviating osteoarthritis?
Stretching and exercises for flexibility are crucial to keeping joints as mobile as possible, according to Jeny Rund, a physical therapist based in Baltimore. Strengthening exercises, such as working out with weights, can help protect your joints by improving muscle tone.

Aerobic exercises benefit overall health and fitness and can help keep weight down. Aquatic exercises and walking offer several benefits, says Rund: aerobic conditioning, strength building and flexibility. And these exercises don't overstretch the joints.

How can I eat healthfully and keep my weight down?
Choose fruits and vegetables in a wide range of colors to get the most nutrients; keep them in the front part of your fridge so it's easy to reach for them when you want a snack. Cut down on full-fat cheeses. Rather than eating three squares a day, try to eat a number of smaller meals throughout the day. Save sweet desserts for special occasions-birthdays and anniversaries, for example.

Now that you know the available treatment options for osteoarthritis, you and your doctor can develop a plan that's right for you-and you can enjoy life pain-free.

©MediZine's Healthy Living, Second Quarter 2007