OSTEOARTHROSIS (OA)

OSTEOARTHROSIS (OA)

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects the joints. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK, with an estimated 8.5 million people affected by the condition. In the UK, around 8 million people are affected, and it occurs more frequently in women than in men reports the Arthritis Research Campaign. Patients attend their GP doctor in the surgery with these symptoms for advice.

There are three characteristics of osteoarthritis:
• it causes damage to cartilage - the strong, smooth surface that lines the bones and allows joints to move easily and without friction,
• it results in bony growths developing around the edge of the joints, and
• it causes mild inflammation of the tissues around the joints (synovitis).

Osteoarthritis mostly occurs in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands, but almost any joint can be affected

Osteoarthritis usually develops in people who are over 50 years of age, and it is more common in women than in men. It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not true. Younger people can also be affected by osteoarthritis, often as a result of an injury or another joint condition.

Osteoarthritis is often thought of as a critical and disabling condition, but this is not usually the case. The symptoms vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. There can also be variation between the amount of damage to the joints and the severity of the symptoms. For example, a joint may be severely damaged without causing symptoms, or symptoms may be severe without affecting the movement of a joint.

The most important investigation in OA is X-ray of the affected joint. Care should be taken in interpreting X-rays, as radiographic changes do not necessarily correlate with the degree of pain. Weight-bearing X-rays are the most accurate way to assess the loss of joint space in weight-bearing joints.

Blood tests include FBC and ESR, which will be normal in OA. MRI can give an idea of the involvement of other local structures, and arthroscopy is sometimes used to assess a joint prior to surgery, or to clear debris from a joint.

There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but the symptoms can be eased by using a number of different treatments. Mild symptoms can often be managed through exercise or by wearing suitable footwear. However, in more advanced cases of osteoarthritis other treatments may be necessary. Treatments include analgesics (painkillers), physiotherapy or surgery.

Dr Martin Harris
Private GP in London Tel 020 8209 2401
www.surgerydoor.co.uk/professionals/private-gp/private-gp-directory/?ent...

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Written by Dr Martin Harris, Doctor and Mohel for Jewish Circumcision Clinic in London Bris Mila Brit Milah.
www.circumcisionlondon.co.uk

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Contact Dr Martin Harris