Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic joint condition.
A joint is where two bones come together. The ends of these bones are covered with protective tissue called cartilage. With OA, this cartilage breaks down, causing the bones within the joint to rub together. This can cause pain, stiffness and other symptoms.
Osteoarthritis (OA) occurs most often in older people, although it can occur in adults of any age. OA is also called degenerative joint disease, degenerative arthritis and wear-and-tear arthritis.
Although osteoarthritis can damage any joint, the disorder most commonly affects joints in your hands, knees, hips and spine.
Symptoms-
Osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Sign and symptoms of osteoarthritis include –
• Pain – Affected joints might hurt during or after movement.
• Stiffness – . Joint stiffness might be most noticeable lipon awakening or after being inactive.
• Tenderness – Your joint might feel tender when you apply light pressure to or near it.
• Loss of flexibility – You might not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion.
• Swelling – This might be caused by soft tissue inflammation around the joint.
• Grating sensation – You might feel a grating sensation when you use the joint, and You might hear popping or crackling.
• Bone spurs – These extra bits of bone, which feel like hard lumps, can form around the affected joint.
Causes –
Primary ( Idiopathic) Osteoarthritis, It is caused by partly as a result of natural aging of the joint.
• With aging, the water content of the cartilage degenerates as a function of biologic processes.
• Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevasses.
• In advanced Osteoarthritis, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joints.
• Repetitive use of the worn joints over the years can mechanically irritate and inflame the cartilage, causing joint pain and swelling.
• Loss of cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones, leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility.
• Inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowths to form around the joints.
Secondary Osteoarthritis is a form of osteoarthritis that is caused by another disease or condition. Conditions that can lead to secondary osteoarthritis include –
• Obesity
• Gout
• Diabetes
• Haemochromatosis
• Abnormal joints at birth (Congenital abnormalities)
• Repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures.
• Other hormone disorders
Risk Factors –
• Older age
• Sex – Women are more prone to develop 0A
• Obesity
• Joint injuries
• Repeated stress on the joint due to your job or a sport you play
• Genetics
Complications-
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that worsens over time, often resulting in chronic pain. Jointpain and stiffness can become severe enough to make daily tasks difficult.
Depression and sleep disturbances can result from the pain and disability of osteoarthritis.
Diagnosis-
During the physical exam, your doctor will check your affected joint for tenderness, swelling, redness and flexibility.
Imaging Tests-
• X- rays
• MRI scan
Lab Tests-
• Blood Tests
• Joint fluid analysis
Treatment-
Osteoarthritis can’t be reversed, but treatments can reduce pain and help you move better.
Medications –
• Acetaminophen
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen sodium
• Duloxetine
Therapy –
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
Surgical and other procedures-
• Cortisone Injections
• Lubrication Injections
• Realigning bones
• Joint replacement
Ayurvedic Perspective –
According to Ayurveda, Osteoarthritis occurs due to aggravation of Vata Dosha along with the involvement of Pitta and kapha doshas and is known as Sandhivata.
Vata is ruksha (dry) in nature. When vata get vitiated in any of the joints, dries up the lubricating synovial fluid inside the joint capsule, degenerates the joints and causes the destruction of the cartilage.
Panchkarma Procedures-
• Snehana –
• Nadi Swedan –
• Navarakizhi –
• Patrapotli swedan –
• Janu Basti –
Beneficial Herbs –
• Shallaki –
• Guggulu –
• Guduchi –
• Suhanjana –
• Nirgundi –
• Rasna –
Effective Medications-
• Mahayograj guggulu
• Chandraprabha Vati
• Punarnava Mandur
• Saunth Churna
• Ashwagandha Churna
• Vrihatvatchintamani Ras
• Dashmoolarhishta
• Maharasnadi Kwatha
• Mahanarayan Taila
• Godanti Bhasm
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