Timing is important when it comes to diagnosing and treating osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative disease that leads to gradually worsening symptoms.
If you wait too long before getting a diagnosis you can miss out on conservative self-care measures that could slow the disease in its early stages.
Conversely, if you opt for joint replacement surgery too soon you risk having to have further surgery in the future to replace a worn-out prosthesis (called a revision joint replacement). Revision joint replacements carry a higher risk of complications than primary joint replacements and they generally have poorer outcomes.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
The main symptom of osteoarthritis is joint pain, which is often worse during or after movement as well as after inactivity. Stiffness and a loss of flexibility is also common, typically first thing in the morning or after sitting. This gradually eases when you start to move around. Sometimes people notice a grating sensation in the joints, which may be accompanied by a popping or grinding sound. If your hips are affected, you might feel pain in the buttocks and grain, as well as the hips themselves. With knee pain, you might feel as though your knees are about to give way or they might feel unstable and the muscles around them may feel weak. Sometimes affected joints appear swollen or knobbly.
The best time to seek a diagnosis for osteoarthritis
So, when is the right time to seek a diagnosis?
Orthopaedic consultant, Andrew Carrothers suggests that as soon as you start to notice persistent symptoms – joint stiffness (particularly after sitting or lying down), loss of mobility, pain or swelling – it’s time to seek medical advice. People sometimes notice that day-to-day activities, like going upstairs, bending down, getting in and out of a car or walking to the shops, are getting harder. If you are making adjustments to your life to compensate for stiff or painful joints, or if you’re noticing yourself avoiding doing things you used to enjoy – like going for a walk – it’s important to find out what’s causing your symptoms and get a diagnosis.
Osteoarthritis shares similar characteristics with other conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis which is an autoimmune disease, gout which is caused by uric acid crystals building up in the joints, fibromyalgia which is characterised by pain and fatigue throughout the body, or soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains and tears. To manage your condition effectively, it’s important to understand the reason for your symptoms.
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
Osteoarthritis is diagnosed by a physical examination when the doctor will check painful joints for swelling, range of motion, tenderness and stability. They will listen out for any grating or grinding sounds during joint movement (crepitus). As well as asking about your symptoms, medical history and any family history of osteoarthritis, the doctor may order an imaging test such as an X-ray, which can reveal narrowing of the space between the bones, caused by cartilage loss.
Managing osteoarthritis in the early stages
In the early stages of the disease, some simple lifestyle changes can help to relieve symptoms. For example, losing excess weight can relieve pressure on weight-bearing joints like hips and knees. Regular gentle exercise, such as walking or yoga, can help to keep joints supple and flexible and an exercise programme developed by a physiotherapist can stretch and strengthen muscles around the affected joints. Using over-the-counter painkillers and anti-inflammatories can help with pain and stiffness.
Treating moderate to severe osteoarthritis
As the symptoms become more severe, you may need more medical intervention to help you manage your osteoarthritis. Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid can help to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. Andrew Carrothers specialises in n-stride APS injections which help improve mobility and comfort within damaged joints and Arthrosamid injections which can delay the need for surgery by up to three years.
When is the best timing for joint replacement surgery?
Once the symptoms of osteoarthritis become severe and your quality of life is significantly impacted, it’s time to consider surgery. Joint replacement surgery entails removing the diseased and damaged joint – or parts of it – and replacing it with a prosthetic implant. Hip and knee replacements are routine operations that significantly improve quality of life for people with severe joint pain. Andrew Carrothers is at the forefront of joint replacement surgery, offering Mako robotic arm assisted joint replacements, which offer greater precision and improved outcomes compared to conventional joint replacements.
For advice on diagnosing and treating osteoarthritis, contact us. We are specialists and can devise a treatment pathway to help you manage the condition effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that affects the joints. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition.
Why is osteoarthritis painful?
Osteoarthritis describes when the cartilage that lines your joints to wear down so the bones may start to rub together as you move the joint.
Which joints are affected by osteoarthritis?
Any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis but the most commonly affected are knees, hips, neck, lower back and hands.
Talk to an orthopaedic consultant | Cambridge
We are always happy to provide information and guidance about the various treatment options, both surgical and non-surgical, including Mako Robotic Arm Assisted Surgery and conventional surgery.
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