Osteoarthritis is a joint condition that is the most common form of arthritis today. The condition affects millions of people worldwide, and although it can potentially affect any joint in the body, it most commonly affects joints in the knees, hands, hips, and spine. Osteoarthritis is a weakening of the joints resulting from a wearing away of the protective cartilage surrounding the body’s joints. Cartilage serves the joints by cushioning them and allowing a smooth range of motion. When the cartilage wears away, the joints become creaky and damaged, resulting in inflammation and joint pain.

This article will serve as a brief introduction to osteoarthritis, outlining what causes it, the symptoms, and how a patient suffering from osteoarthritis can manage and treat their joint condition. So let’s get into it!

Osteoarthritis Causes

All the joints in your body are surrounded by a slippery layer of tissue known as cartilage. This firm yet lubricated tissue helps to enable smooth and nearly frictionless motion of the joints and also acts as a cushioning surface that protects the joints in the event of an impact.

Osteoarthritis is a joint condition that occurs when the cartilage around the joints in your body gradually deteriorates. For this reason, the condition is referred to as a ‘wear-and-tear’ disease because the overuse of joints exacerbates it. If, over time, the cartilage breaks down completely, the patient’s bone will rub on bone, causing extreme pain and inflammation.

A few risk factors for arthritis are as follows:

• Old age
• Obesity
• Joint injury
• Genetics
• Repeated stress on a particular joint
• Bone deformities
• Diabetes

Osteoarthritis Symptoms

The symptoms of osteoarthritis develop slowly and, if left unchecked, tend to worsen over time. Below are some of the important signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis:

Pain

Affected joints might undergo pain during movement

Stiffness

Affected joints tend to become stiff after a period of inactivity

Tenderness

Affected joints might feel tender when pressure is applied to it

Osteoarthritis Treatment

Although osteoarthritis cannot be reversed, its effects can be mitigated through treatments that reduce pain and increase joint mobility to some degree. Moreover, both medication and physiotherapy options are used to manage and treat osteoarthritis.

While painkillers are often used to manage joint pain, natural and organic medicinal options are more effective than over-the-counter medication. Gramps’s Natural Arthritis Pain Relief Formula can relieve joint pain by applying topically on the affected areas regularly. Doing so can help manage pain, reduce inflammation, and therefore increase joint mobility.

Conclusion

Osteoarthritis affects millions of people worldwide and is a condition that has multiple risk factors but cannot be reversed. However, with appropriate treatment, an osteoarthritis patient can work to relieve pain and increase the mobility of their affected joints. If you are suffering from any of the symptoms listed above, see your physician or a physiotherapist for a checkup.