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Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes pain and stiffness in joints. Symptoms may be helped by exercises, some physical devices and treatments, and losing weight if you are overweight. Paracetamol will often ease symptoms. Other medicines are sometimes advised. Joint replacement surgery is an option for severe cases.

What is osteoarthritis?

Arthritis means inflammation of the joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis in the UK. OA mainly affects the joint cartilage and the bone tissue next to the cartilage.

Understanding joints

Cross-section diagram of a normal joint (072.gif)A joint is where two bones meet. Joints allow movement and flexibility of various parts of the body. The movement of the bones is caused by muscles which pull on tendons that are attached to bone.

Cartilage is a hard, smooth tissue that covers the end of bones. Between the cartilage of two bones which form a joint, there is a small amount of thick fluid called synovial fluid. This fluid 'lubricates' the joint which allows smooth movement between the bones.

The synovial fluid is made by the synovium. This is the tissue that surrounds the joint. The outer part of the synovium is called the capsule. This is tough and helps to give the joint stability. Surrounding ligaments and muscles also help to give support and stability to joints.

What causes osteoarthritis?

All normal joints and joint tissues are constantly undergoing some form of repair because of the wear and tear that is placed on them through our daily activities. However, in some people, it seems that this repair process becomes faulty in some way (perhaps because of severe wear and tear to the joints or a problem with the repair process) and OA develops.

In joints with OA, the joint cartilage becomes damaged and worn. The bone tissue next to the cartilage can also be affected and bony growths can develop around the joint edges. These growths are called osteophytes and may be seen on X-rays. The joints and the tissues around the joints can also become inflamed. This inflammation is called synovitis.

Factors that may play a role in the development of OA include:

  • Age. OA becomes more common with increasing age. It may be that the state of the blood supply to the joint and the state of the natural mechanisms of repair become less efficient in some people as they become older.
  • Genetics. There may be some inherited tendency for OA to develop in some people.
  • Obesity. Knee and hip OA are more likely to develop, or be more severe, in obese people. This is because there is an increased load on the joints and a potential for more joint damage.
  • Your sex. Women are more likely to develop OA than men.
  • Previous joint injury, damage or deformity. For example, this may include previous joint infection, a previous fracture (break in the bone) around a joint, or a previous ligament injury that caused a joint to become unstable.
  • Occupational overuse of a joint. For example, OA of the knee may be more common in elite athletes and elbow OA may be more common in people working with pneumatic drills.

Who gets osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis causes joint pain in around 8.5 million people in the UK.

  • Primary OA develops in previously healthy joints. Most cases develop in people over 50. By the age of 65, at least half of people have some OA in some joint(s). It is mild in many cases, but about 1 in 10 people over 65 have a major disability due to OA (mainly due to OA of one or both hips or knees).
  • Secondary OA develops in joints previously abnormal for a variety of reasons. For example, it may develop in injured or deformed joints. This can occur in younger people.

Which joints are affected?

Any joint can be affected by OA but the hips, knees, finger joints, thumb joints and lower spine are most commonly affected. The shoulders, elbows, wrists, ankles, and toe joints are less commonly affected. In many cases, just a few joints develop symptoms with one or two becoming the most troublesome. In some people, OA develops in many joints.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

  • Pain, stiffness, and limitation in full movement of the joint are typical. The stiffness tends to be worse first thing in the morning but tends to 'loosen up' after half an hour or so.
  • Swelling and inflammation of an affected joint can sometimes occur. (But note, affected joints are not usually very swollen, red or warm. Tell your doctor if a joint suddenly swells up or becomes red or hot as this is a symptom that more commonly occurs with other types of arthritis.)
  • An affected joint tends to look a little larger than normal. This is due to overgrowth of the bone next to damaged cartilage.
  • Deformities of joints due to OA are uncommon, but can sometimes develop.
  • You may have poor mobility and problems walking if a knee or hip is badly affected. This may make you more likely to have a fall.
  • If you have bad OA that affects your hip, you may have difficulty in putting on shoes and socks and getting in and out of a car. In women, restricted movement of the hip can make having sex difficult and painful.
  • No symptoms may occur. Quite a number of people have X-ray changes that indicate some degree of OA but have no, or only very mild, symptoms. The opposite can also be true. That is, you may have quite severe symptoms but with only minor changes seen on the X-ray.

Some people with OA may develop other problems because of their symptoms. For example, pain can affect sleep for some people. Mobility problems may affect your ability to work and carry our family duties. Some people may get down or even depressed because of their pain and other symptoms.

Do I need any tests?

Your doctor can often diagnose osteoarthritis based on your age, your typical symptoms and examination of your affected joints. Tests such as X-rays or blood tests are usually not needed. However, sometimes your doctor may suggest X-rays or other tests if they are uncertain about the diagnosis and want to exclude other problems.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for people with osteoarthritis?

A common wrong belief is that OA is always a progressive and serious disease. The severity of symptoms varies. In many people, OA is mild, does not become worse, and does not make you any more disabled than expected for your age. However, in some people, the severity of OA and the disability it causes is out of proportion to your age. One or more joints may become particularly badly affected.

Symptoms often wax and wane. Sometimes this is related to things such as the weather. Symptoms often improve in warmer months. A bad spell of symptoms may be followed by a relatively good period.

What are the aims of treatment for osteoarthritis?

There is no cure for OA but there are a number of things that can be done to ease symptoms. For anyone with OA, the aims of treatment should be:

  • To help you to understand the condition and how to manage it.
  • To reduce any pain and stiffness.
  • To maintain or improve the mobility of your affected joint or joints.
  • To limit any joint damage.
  • To minimise any disability that may result from your OA.
  • To minimise any side-effects from drugs used as treatment.

Remember, something can usually be done to help. OA is more common as you get older but it isn't just part of getting older. You don't have to live with pain or disability. Various treatments may help and are discussed below.

General measures to help treat osteoarthritis

Exercise

If possible, exercise regularly. This helps to strengthen the muscles around affected joints, to keep you fit, and to maintain a good range joint movement. Swimming is ideal for most joints, but any exercise is better than none. Many people can manage a regular walk.

Weight control

If you are overweight, try to lose some weight as the extra burden placed on back, hips, and knees can make symptoms worse. Even a modest weight loss can make quite a difference.

Shoe insoles and other devices

Some research trials have shown that the following may help to ease symptoms from OA of the knee in some cases:

  • Wearing a knee brace.
  • Using shoe insoles.
  • The use of a special sticky tape which 'pulls' the kneecap inwards.

These measures slightly alter the distribution of weight and pressure on the knee joint, which is why they are thought to ease symptoms in some cases. A podiatrist or physiotherapist can advise exactly how to use them.

Braces or supports may also be helpful for other joints affected by OA. For example, a support around the thumb for painful thumb OA.

Walking aids

If you have OA of your hip or knee, when walking try using a cane (walking stick). Hold it in the hand on the opposite side of the body to the affected joint. This takes some pressure off the affected joint and helps to ease symptoms in some cases.

Physiotherapy

Sometimes advice or treatment from a physiotherapist is helpful. For example:

  • For advice on which exercises to do to strengthen the muscles above the knee (quadriceps) if you have OA of the knee. Strengthening the 'quads' has been shown to improve symptoms caused by OA of the knee.
  • For advice on how to keep active and fit.
  • For advice on shoes insoles, knee braces, taping to the knee, and how to use walking aids properly (to make sure you have one of the correct height).

Manipulation and stretching around affected joints may be helpful. This is something that physiotherapists may also be able to help with.

Occupational therapy

An occupational therapist may be able to help if you need aids or modifications to your home to cope with any disability caused by OA. Special devices, such as tap turners to help with turning on a tap, may mean that you can carry out tasks around the house more easily.

Other therapies

  • Some people have found that TENS (Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulator) machines help to ease pain from OA. A TENS machine delivers small electrical pulses to the body via electrodes placed on the skin.
  • Acupuncture may also help to ease symptoms in some cases.
  • Some people find that they can also get some pain relief from using hot or cold packs on the affected joint(s). This is also called thermotherapy. You can use a hot water bottle filled with either hot or cold water and apply it to the affected area. Or, special hot and cold packs that can either be cooled in the freezer, or heated in a microwave, are also available.

Medicines and food supplements used to treat osteoarthritis

Paracetamol

Paracetamol is the common medicine used to treat OA. It often works well to ease pain. It is best to take it regularly to keep pain away, rather than 'now and again' when pain flares up. A normal adult dose is two 500 mg tablets, four times a day. It usually has little in the way of side-effects, and you can take paracetamol long-term without it losing its effect.

Anti-inflammatory painkillers

You may find that a topical preparation of an anti-inflammatory painkiller that you rub onto the skin over affected joints is helpful instead of, or in addition to, paracetamol tablets. This may be particularly helpful if you have knee or hand OA. Compared to anti-inflammatory tablets, the amount of the drug that gets into the bloodstream is much less with topical preparations, and there is less risk of side-effects (see below).

Anti-inflammatory painkillers that are taken by mouth are not used as often as paracetamol. This is because there is a risk of serious side-effects, particularly in older people who take them regularly. However, one of these medicines is an option if paracetamol or topical anti-inflammatories do not help. Some people take an anti-inflammatory painkiller for short spells, perhaps for a week or two when symptoms flare up. They then return to paracetamol or topical anti-inflammatories when symptoms are not too bad. There are many different brands of anti-inflammatory painkillers. If one does not suit, another may be fine.

Side-effects may occur in some people who take anti-inflammatory painkillers:

  • Bleeding from the stomach is the most serious possible side-effect. This is more of a risk if you are over 65, or have had a duodenal or stomach ulcer, or if you are also taking low-dose aspirin. Stop the medicine and see a doctor urgently if you develop indigestion, upper abdominal pain, or if you vomit or pass blood. Read the leaflet that comes with the medicine for a list of other possible side-effects. You doctor can prescribe another medicine that can help to protect your stomach if you are taking anti-inflammatory painkillers in the long-term. You should discuss this with them.
  • Some people with asthma, high blood pressure, kidney failure, and heart failure may not be able to take anti-inflammatory painkillers.

Codeine

Codeine is sometimes combined with paracetamol for added pain relief. Constipation is a common side-effect from codeine. To help prevent constipation, have lots to drink and eat a high fibre diet.

Capsaicin cream

This cream is made from chilli peppers and it works by blocking the nerve signals that send pain messages to the brain. It may be helpful if you have knee or hand OA. It takes a while for the effects of this cream to build up and may take around one month to get the maximum benefit. You should rub in a pea-sized amount of cream around the affected joint four times a day, and not more often than every four hours.

Don't use this cream on broken or inflamed skin. You may notice some burning after you apply the cream but this tends to improve the longer you have used it. Avoid having a hot bath or shower, before, or after, applying the cream because it may make the burning sensation worse. Also, be careful to wash your hands after applying the cream. Because it is made from chilli peppers, it can cause burning if it gets into your eyes, mouth or around your genital area.

An injection of steroid medicine

An injection directly into a joint may be an option if a joint becomes badly inflamed.

Glucosamine

Glucosamine is classed as a food supplement and not as a medicine. You can buy it from health food shops and pharmacies. Glucosamine is a chemical that is part of the make-up of normal cartilage. It may have a role in making and maintaining cartilage. The theory is that taking this supplement may help to improve and repair damaged cartilage.

Research studies have found that some people with OA of the knee have modest pain relief when they take glucosamine every day. However, if does not help everyone. It is also not clear whether it has any effect in slowing the progression of the disease. Therefore, it may be worth a try, but glucosamine is not available on prescription. If you are going to buy glucosamine, you should use glucosamine sulfate 1500 mg once a day.

If you try glucosamine, a reasonable plan is to take it for about three months to see if it has any effect. You should assess your level of pain before you start taking glucosamine and then again after three months. If there is no improvement, glucosamine is unlikely to be effective for you.

Note: you should not take glucosamine if you are allergic to shellfish. Glucosamine may also interact with warfarin. You should talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you take glucosamine if you are on warfarin treatment.

Surgery for osteoarthritis

Most people with OA do not have it badly enough to need surgery. However, OA of a joint may become severe in some cases. Some joints can be replaced with artificial joints. Hip and knee replacement surgery has become a standard treatment for severe OA of these joints. Some other joints can also be replaced.

Joint replacement surgery has a high success rate. However, like any operation, joint replacement surgery is not without risk.

Treatments that are not normally recommended

Some treatments have become fashionable or popular but are not normally recommended by mainstream doctors. For example:

Hyaluronic acid

The use of regular injections of hyaluronic acid directly into a joint is a relatively new treatment that has been tried for OA. The theory is that it may help with 'lubrication' and 'shock absorption' in a damaged joint. It may produce a small beneficial effect in some people. However, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) has looked at the use of hyaluronic acid as a possible treatment for OA and does not recommend its use. This is because there is little evidence that it is effective.

Chondroitin

This is another food supplement that has become popular as a potential treatment for OA. It is a chemical that is part of the make-up of normal cartilage. A recent big study showed that chondroitin has little, or minimal, effect on reducing symptoms in people with OA. Also, NICE does not recommend the use of chondroitin for the treatment of OA. This is because they could find no clear evidence from studies to show that it is an effective treatment.

Topical rubefacients ('heat rubs')

Although widely used, NICE does not recommend their use. This is because there is little scientific evidence to say that they work.

Arthroscopic lavage and debridement

This is an operation to 'wash out' a joint and 'trim' cartilage from a joint. NICE recommends that this should not be offered as part of treatment for osteoarthritis, unless you have a clear history of your knee 'locking' up.

Further help and advice

Arthritis Research UK

Copeman House, St Mary's Court, St Mary's Gate, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S41 7TD
Tel: 01246 558033 Web: www.arthritisresearchuk.org

Arthritis Care

18 Stephenson Way, London, NW1 2HD
24-hour information line: 0845 600 6868 Web: www.arthritiscare.org.uk

References

  • Osteoarthritis, NICE Clinical Guideline (January 2008); The care and management of osteoarthritis in adults
  • Osteoarthritis, Clinical Knowledge Summaries (2008)
  • Reichenbach S, Sterchi R, Scherer M, et al; Meta-analysis: chondroitin for osteoarthritis of the knee or hip. Ann Intern Med. 2007 Apr 17;146(8):580-90. [abstract]
  • Hunter DJ, Felson DT; Osteoarthritis. BMJ. 2006 Mar 18;332(7542):639-42.
  • Lohmander LS, Roos EM; Clinical update: treating osteoarthritis. Lancet. 2007 Dec 22;370(9605):2082-4.
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Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. EMIS has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy. Consult a doctor or other health care professional for diagnosis and treatment of medical conditions. For details see our conditions.
EMIS 2010 Reviewed: 10 Jul 2009DocID: 4304Version: 39

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