Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease. The smooth cartilage that covers the ends of the bones slowly wears down, causing pain and stiffness, most often in the knees, hips, hands and spine. It is common after age 50, especially in women and in people who are overweight or do heavy physical work. It cannot be cured, but exercise, weight control and pain relief help most people stay active.
Symptoms
- Joint pain that is worse with use and better with rest
- Stiffness in the morning or after sitting, usually for less than 30 minutes
- Creaking or grinding in the joint
- Swelling of the joint
- Difficulty kneeling, sitting on the floor, climbing stairs or praying
- Bony lumps on the finger joints
Causes
- Ageing and wear of the joints
- Being overweight (extra load on the knees and hips)
- Heavy physical work, kneeling or squatting for many years
- Old joint injuries
- Family history
- More common in women after menopause
Prevention
- Keep a healthy weight
- Exercise regularly to keep the muscles around the joints strong (walking, cycling, gentle exercises)
- Avoid long periods of kneeling or squatting; use a low stool
- Lift heavy things safely
- Treat joint injuries properly
Treatment
- Regular exercise and physiotherapy are the most important treatment
- Weight loss if overweight
- Paracetamol or anti-inflammatory gels; short courses of anti-inflammatory tablets only on a doctor's advice
- A walking stick, knee support or proper shoes
- Joint injections or joint replacement surgery for severe cases
- Avoid repeated steroid injections from unqualified providers
Common questions
Should I rest my knee completely?
No. Too much rest makes the muscles weak and the joint stiffer. Regular gentle exercise, such as walking and leg-strengthening exercises, reduces pain over time.
Are pain injections from local clinics safe?
Repeated steroid or painkiller injections, especially from unqualified providers, can damage the joint, raise blood sugar and cause infection. Joint injections should only be given by a qualified doctor when really needed.