Arthritis Awareness

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic (long-term) disease. The origin is either idiopathic or secondary (post-traumatic, inflammatory etc.) Treatments are available to manage symptoms.

One of the most beneficial ways to manage OA is to get moving. Stretching of joints may improve flexibility, lessen stiffness and reduce pain.

Strengthening exercises build muscles around OA-affected joints, range-of-motion exercise
helps maintain and improve joint flexibility and reduce stiffness. There is a wide spectrum of medicines for osteoarthritis as pills (analgesics - most commonly used drugs to ease inflammation and related pain or chondroprotective SYSADOA helping to recover the joint environment), topical creams or patches, or they are injected into a joint. Viscosuplementation by hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in joint fluid, acting as a shock absorber and lubricant.

However, the acid appears to break down in people with osteoarthritis. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medicines. Excess weight adds additional stress to weight-bearing joints - losing weight by eating fewer calories and increase physical activity can help people with OA reduce pain and limit further joint damage. Joint surgery can repair or replace severely damaged joints.

There are a lot of techniques, eg. Arthroscopy, cartilage and ligaments repair or reconstruction, osteotomy or even total joint replacement.