Arthritis leading cause of disability in seniors
Osteoarthritis of the joints can affect people of all ages, but is one of the leading causes of disability in the aged population.
An estimated 37 percent of Canadians aged 20 or older who had been diagnosed with arthritis reported osteoarthritis, with 29 percent occurring in the knees, states Statistics Canada.
Knee arthritis occurs when there is a degeneration of articular cartilage that covers and protects the patella. Since this cartilage has no nerve endings, some people can experience arthritis but feel no pain.
However, pain may occur when doing specific activities that cause impact between bones, like jumping or walking up stairs.
Over time, knee arthritis may become worse, and pain can be accompanied by stiffness and loss of mobility. This may be accompanied by knee locking or buckling.
The main categories of treatment include non-drug treatments, medication, injections, and surgery.
• Non-drug treatments: Examples of non-drug treatments include exercise, stretching and range-of-movement strategies. Weight loss can alleviate excess strain placed on the hips and knees and reduce pain. Braces, sleeves and orthotics may help reduce pain and joint stiffness when directed properly through a specialist.• Medications: Many medications are geared around reducing inflammation and pain and include over-thecounter pain relievers and NSAIDs, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen and naproxen sodium. Topical NSAIDs may be tried, and these can reduce the risk of gastrointestinal side effects from oral medications. OARSI also found that the antidepressant duloxetine may help with chronic knee pain.
• Injections: The Arthritis Foundation says that some doctors can inject corticosteroid compounds directly into affected joints. Use of hyaluronic acid injections can supplement the natural substance that gives joint fluid its lubrication and viscosity. These injections may help relieve pain and improve mobility.
• Surgery: In cases when the aforementioned treatments are unsuccessful, doctors may suggest surgery.