Osteoarthritis (arthritis)

Osteoarthritis (arthritis)

Osteoarthritis is the most common rheumatic joint disease in adults over 60. The incidence increases with increasing age and more than 50% of everyone over 70 has osteoarthritis in one or more joints. Movement and exercise are important to reduce stiffness and pain in osteoarthritis. Many must use painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs in addition.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis is a chronic rheumatic joint disease. Joints that are exposed to stress/wear and tear, such as knees, hips and fingers, are normally affected, but all joints can be affected. In osteoarthritis, the joints are gradually destroyed by the cartilage (and bones) slowly wearing down. The cartilage covers the bones so that the ends of the bone in the joint move easily in relation to each other. Changes in the cartilage cause the cartilage to become less smooth and lose its elasticity. The ends of the leg will rub against each other and the load on the joint will be great. This causes pain and the joint becomes more difficult to move.

Causes of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis was formerly called osteoarthritis, because it was thought that the disease was only caused by wear and tear. Today, we know that the causal relationship is more complex, with several possible causal factors:

• Age; most people who get osteoarthritis have passed the age of 50, but the disease can affect adults of any age

• Serious injury or prolonged strain on joints

• Other joint disease

• Overweight for a long time

• Hereditary disposition

• Sex; more women than men get osteoarthritis

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

• Pain, stiffness and reduced movement in joints

• The symptoms most often affect the hip, knee and finger joints

• The symptoms develop gradually

• Creaking joints

• Swelling and warmth around the joint (inflammation)

The symptoms develop gradually. The hip, knee, back, hand and finger joints are most often affected.

Good advice for osteoarthritis

Exercise and movement are important. Studies have shown that adapted fitness and strength training reduces pain and increases joint mobility

Weight reduction in case of obesity

Aids that provide relief, such as a cane, shoes with shock-absorbing soles and soft mats to stand on

Support products, for example Actimove support products.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

As of today, there are no medicines that slow down the development of osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis is treated with medications that reduce pain and stiffness. Some people use medication when needed, while others need more regular use.

Paracetamol

The first choice as an analgesic is paracetamol. It is important to follow the doctor's dosage. Paracetamol in high doses can, among other things, cause liver damage.

NSAIDs

If paracetamol does not provide sufficient effect or in case of severe inflammation, the doctor often prescribes NSAIDs (anti-inflammatory drugs). Not everyone with osteoarthritis has a good effect from NSAIDs. When used over a longer period of time, the lowest possible effective dose should be used. This reduces the risk of side effects, including stomach ulcers.

Flexilogues

Flexiloges is a traditional, plant-based medicine that can provide natural pain relief for osteoarthritis and pain associated with mild joint wear and tear.

Can be used for, among other things:

Osteoarthritis

Joint pain

Stiffness in joints

Swelling and redness in the joints

Glucocorticoids for injection into joints

Especially with knee osteoarthritis, injection with cortisone may be appropriate. Many repeated injections should normally be avoided. A depot preparation is often used which releases the medicine over time.

Glucosamine

Medicines containing glucosamine have a symptom-relieving effect for some, but have no documented effect on the development of the disease. As a rule, glucosamine must be used for at least 2-4 weeks before any effects are noticed in the form of pain relief and reduced stiffness. If there is no effect within 3-6 months, it is not normally necessary to continue the treatment. Glucosamine is a substance extracted from shellfish, and should therefore not be used by people with a shellfish allergy.

Sources: Large medical encyclopedia, Health Library, Norwegian health informatics for healthcare personnel, Norwegian Rheumatism Association.