Around 10 million people across the UK are affected by osteoarthritis. This degenerative disease, which causes joint pain, stiffness and loss of function causes deterioration of the cartilage which covers the ends of the bones in healthy joints.
What happens with osteoarthritis?
As cartilage thins and roughens, the joint can no longer move smoothly and you may experience a grating sensation or hear crackling sounds, called crepitus. The synovium lining the joint may become inflamed and produce more fluid than normal, resulting in swelling of the joint. The tissues surrounding and supporting the joint may stretch, and this can lead to a loss of stability. Your joint may feel weak and it may give way, or feel like it is going to. Bony spurs called osteophytes may develop on the bones. These can appear as firm, knobbly swellings which rub against surrounding tissues and may restrict movement of the joint.
What causes osteoarthritis?
The precise causes of osteoarthritis aren’t fully understood, however, certain factors increase your risk of developing the condition. Most cases of osteoarthritis develop from the late 40s onwards. Scientists believe that the fact that healing is less effective as we age, coupled with loss of muscle strength, may be a contributory factor. Women have a greater risk of developing osteoarthritis than men. And being overweight can increase your chances of the disease, particularly in weight-bearing joints like the hips and knees. If you sustain a serious injury to your joint, or have major surgery, the chances of developing osteoarthritis later in life are increased. Similarly, if you work in a physically demanding job or do sport that requires making the same movement over and over again you may be at greater risk. Being born with joint abnormalities can make you more prone to osteoarthritis and certain genetic factors can also increase your risk.
Is there a cure for osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease, which means the symptoms gradually worsen. Currently there is no cure for the condition, however improvements in diagnosis and treatment are being made all the time. For example, a team at the University of Birmingham, led by Professor Simon Jones, is exploring the development of targeted treatments to stop inflammation of the joint linings. It combines a powerful molecule that can switch off the genes known to trigger inflammation with a tag that can help the molecule go to precisely where it is needed.
At Queen Mary University in London, Dr Suzanne Eldridge and her team are investigating a new type of treatment to slow down and potentially reverse cartilage loss associated with osteoarthritis. This is based around a molecule called Agrin which is found in healthy cartilage. It is early days but, if successful, this research project could move things closer to gaining approval to start clinical trials of Agrin.
For more details of research into the diagnosis and treatment of osteoarthritis click here.
How are the symptoms of osteoarthritis managed?
Managing the symptoms of osteoarthritis depends on a range of factors, including how far the condition has developed and how severe the symptoms are. The age and overall health of the patients are also important considerations. In the early stages of the disease, symptoms can normally be managed by a combination of painkillers, exercises to build strength and flexibility, keeping active with gentle exercise like walking or swimming, breathing exercises and using a heat pad or cold compress.
You may be offered a range of treatments, such as injections of corticosteroids to help reduce pain and inflammation. Arthrosamid ® injections provide sustained pain relief for people with knee osteoarthritis by injecting intra-articular polyacrylamide hydrogel which makes the joint feel more supple and can mimic synovial fluid in the joint. N-stride APS injections use ‘good proteins’ taken from the patient’s own blood and injected into the site of pain. Benefits include pain relief and a reduction in stiffness and inflammation.
For more advanced osteoarthritis the most common treatment is normally surgery. There is a range of surgical treatments for osteoarthritis including knee replacements, hip replacements and Mako robotic arm-assisted joint replacement surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?
You will be given a physical examination to check your affected joints for pain, swelling and loss of function. You may be given an X-ray to assess for narrowing of the space between the bones (indicating a loss of cartilage), as well as bony spurs. An MRI scan can provide a more detailed picture of the bones and soft tissues.
Will I need surgery?
Surgery is normally recommended for moderate to severe osteoarthritis. In the early stages, less invasive approaches such as medication and injections are likely to provide sufficient pain relief.
What is Mako joint replacement surgery?
Mako Joint Replacement Surgery is the latest approach to joint replacement surgery. It uses an innovative computer programme to create a virtual 3D model of the patient’s joint, based on the results of a CT scan. In the operating theatre, the orthopaedic surgeon uses robotic arm assisted technology for pinpoint precision.
