Gourt > Health > Conditions and Diseases > Musculoskeletal Disorders > Arthritis > Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis (OA, also known as degenerative arthritis or degenerative joint disease, and sometimes referred to as "arthrosis" or "osteoarthrosis" or in more colloquial terms "wear and tear"), is a condition in which low-grade inflammation results in pain in the joints, caused by wearing of the cartilage that covers and acts as a cushion inside joints. As the bone surfaces become less well protected by cartilage, the patient experiences pain upon weight bearing, including walking and standing. Due to decreased movement because of the pain, regional muscles may atrophy, and ligaments may become more lax. OA is the most common form of arthritis. The word is derived from the Greek word "osteo", meaning "of the bone", "arthro", meaning "joint", and "itis", meaning inflammation, although many sufferers have little or no inflammation.
OA affects nearly 21 million people in the United States, accounting for 25% of visits to primary care physicians, and half of all NSAID (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs) prescriptions. It is estimated that 80% of the population will have radiographic evidence of OA by age 65, although only 60% of those will be symptomatic (Green 2001). Treatment is with NSAIDs, local glucocorticoid injections, and in severe cases, with joint replacement surgery. There is no cure for OA, as it is impossible for the cartilage to grow back. Although, if OA is caused by cartilage damage (for example as a result of an injury) Autologous Chondrocyte Implantation may be a possible treatment.
Signs and symptoms
The main symptom is chronic pain, causing loss of mobility and often stiffness. "Pain" is generally described as a sharp ache, or a burning sensation in the associated muscles and tendons. OA can cause a crackling noise (called "crepitus") when the affected joint is moved or touched, and patients may experience muscle spasm and contractions in the tendons. Occasionally, the joints may also be filled with fluid. Humid weather increases the pain in many patients. More on [ Osteoarthritis ]
Rheumatology
Orthopedics
Glucosamine :: G
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Twice weekly tai chi practice has diminished pain for people with knee osteoarthritis and lowered blood sugar level for type 2 diabetics.
ChroniCare (Chronic Condition) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:28:47 -0000
Twice weekly tai chi practice has diminished pain for people with knee osteoarthritis and lowered blood sugar level for type 2 diabetics.
Research Shows Tai Chi Exercise Reduces Knee Osteoarthritis Pain in ...: http://bit.ly/76mLBN
educationroom (Raskino Brothers) Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:08:45 -0000
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About Osteoarthritis - Information and resources to help understand and treat thisdisorder.
Meta Description: [ Osteoarthritis is a common type of arthritis, a condition of destruction of the cartilage surfaces in a joint. Once thought to be due to wear and tear of the cartilage, osteoarthritis is now better understood to be much more complex. ]
eMedicine Health - Osteoarthritis - Consumer health resource center providing an overview of this disorder and its causes, symptoms and treatment.
Meta Description: [ Osteoarthritis is not a single disease but rather the end result of a variety of disorders leading to the structural or functional failure of 1 or more of your joints. ... ]
Glucosamine and Chondroitin Overview - Information on nutritional supplements for treatment of osteoarthritis, by Spine-Health.com.
Meta Description: [ Glucosamine sulfate and chondroitin
sulfate nutritional supplements for osteoarthritis treatment, by
Spine-Health ]
Medical College of Wisconsin Arthritis Health Links - Arthritis news and information from the physicians of the Medical College of Wisconsin
Meta Description: [ MCW HealthLink articles on Arthritis ]
Medical management of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip joints - Full text article from the Medical Journal of Australia.
Meta Description: [ (Medical Journal of Australia) Medical management of osteoarthritis of the knee and hip joints ]
Osteoarthritis - Easy to understand information from a UK general practitioner.
Meta Description: [ Medinfo's patient information on osteoarthritis, a very common condition, affecting the joints, often described as "wear and tear" arthritis. This can start form our teens and gets worse as we grow older. ]
Osteoarthritis - Information and resources, including support group.
Meta Description: [ Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) is a joint disease caused by the breakdown and loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. With repetitive use, pain, swelling, warmth, and creaking may be noticed in the affected joint. Though weight loss and avoiding stress on the joint will reduce joint... ]
Osteoarthritis - Information from the Arthritis Foundation.
Meta Description: [ Arthritis Foundation ]
Osteoarthritis - Handout from the National Institute of Health.
Osteoarthritis - Information from the Mayo Clinic.
Meta Description: [ Osteoarthritis is a wear-and-tear condition that may develop as you age.
]
Osteoarthritis - Diagnosis and treatment information from the American Family Physician.
Osteoarthritis - Health promotion information from Monash University, Australia.
RealAge Arthritis and Joint Pain Relief Center - Information on arthritis symptoms, treatment, medication, and natural remedies, and exercise.
Meta Description: [ Osteoarthritis, Joint Pain & Arthritis Relief Information Center - Ease arthritis and find joint pain relief today by visiting the RealAge Arthritis Center where you’ll find arthritis and joint pain information on osteoarthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and rheumatoid arthritis. ]
The Arthritis Huddle - Offers doctors, patients and communities across the country access to innovative osteoarthritis treatment strategies and educational programs. Find news, events and a calendar.
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