Osteoarthritis is a condition characterised by painful joints. It results from the loss of cartilage, the cushioning pad that grows on the end of bones, causing damage to the bone beneath. Loss of cartilage is usually the result of long term use or traumatic injury.

Osteoarthritis is more common as you get older. Most people older than 60 have osteoarthritis, though this may be mild.

The joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis are hip, knee, shoulder, ankle, and wrist.

Patients with osteoarthritis most commonly complain of pain. This may be associated with loss of movement of their joint, or loss of strength. As it gets more serious, osteoarthritis will result in a loss of function of the joint. For example, osteoarthritis of the knee makes it difficult to walk long distances.

Osteoarthritis can be treated in a number of ways. Conservative Management is the use of non surgical techniques such as pain medication and exercise. Surgical Management is an option for severe osteoarthritis. 

Osteoarthritis - Conservative Management

The following are all treatments that may be beneficial to people with osteoarthritis. Talk about these with your General Practitioner to see which are most suitable.

• Weight Loss - this decreases the stress on the joint. Healthy eating and exercise are a good way to lose weight.
• Exercise - this strengthens the muscles around a joint. Swimming or water aerobics are excellent options, because they don't put much weight onto your joints.
• Physiotherapy
• Occupational Therapy - aids and splints to help avoid certain activities
• Glucosamine - a herbal drug available at the supermarket, take as directed
• Pain Relief - paracetamol once or twice daily
• Anti-inflammatories - use for a short course only to treat flare ups
• Joint Injections - short term benefit, but can only be done a few times a year

Osteoarthritis - Surgical Management

There are four operations that may be appropriate for patients with osteoarthritis. These are arthroscopy, arthroplasty, osteotomy and arthrodesis.

Arthroscopy

An arthroscopy (key-hole surgery) is when a surgeon puts a small camera through a hole in the patients skin to look inside the joint. The surgeon then puts instruments through another hole to repair the joint. It is only really useful in people who have damaged a structure in their joint, with this damage causing the arthritis. The most common is a knee arthroscopy, but it can be done to other joints.

Arthroplasty

Arthroplasty is the replacement of an arthritic joint with a prosthetic (artificial) joint. It is a major operation, so is reserved for people who experience pain that occurs at night, at rest and severely hinders a patient's daily activities. The most common joints replaced are hips and knees, but other joints can be replaced.

Osteotomy

This is an uncommon operation in which part of a bone is removed to relieve pressure on the joint. It is unsuitable for most patients.

Arthrodesis

In this operation, the two bones from the painful joint are joined together. This cures pain, but means that the joint will no longer move at all, causing a significant loss of function. This operation is done as a last resort.