Aging is a normal part of the life cycle. Aside from the memories and experiences that we go through, one painful thing that we can’t escape is the toll it has on our health. We can see that some of our loved ones hold on to their hips and knees because of joint pains. A common disease that we acquire as we age is osteoarthritis. Also known as degenerative joint disease, this happens when the joint’s cartilage cannot stand the pressure and friction anymore due to damage it has acquired over time. Joints that are usually affected with osteoarthritis are the hands, hips, knees, lower back and neck. There is no known cure but some treatment modalities are there to relieve the symptoms. One that can help in the management of osteoarthritis is surgery such as in seriously arthritic hips. In most major operations however, there is a need for you to “modify certain everyday activities after the hip replacement surgery like cracking joints which is said to cause arthritis“.
What are the Factors that Can Cause Osteoarthritis?
There is no known direct cause but we can directly associate it to aging. Cartilages are rubbery tissues used to protect the joints when bones glide over them. Over time there is damage to the cartilage that may further lead to bone weakness or formation of extra bone. Heredity is also linked with the disease. If your family has a history of Osteoarthritis, chances are, you’ll have them later in life. Being overweight may also be a factor in having the disease.The extra weight will have an overbearing impact on the joints and cartilages as they have to deal with the additional pressure it brings. Bone fractures and injuries to the joint may also lead to the disease in addition to long term overuse in sports or physical activities. These are just some of the things that may cause Osteoarthritis.
What are the Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
Most common complaints from people who suffer from this disease are pain and stiffness on the affected joint (s). The term “morning stiffness” has been coined due to the pain and stiffness that they usually feel in the morning. Pain felt in the morning might be relieved with mild activity as this “warms up” the joints, however it worsens over time if there is continuous pressure exerted on the joints. It is temporarily relieved at rest but will be present again after a while. The pain and discomfort felt by each individual will be different from the other as some will not feel anything though x-ray results show that they have the disease.
How to Treat Osteoarthritis
As stated in the beginning of this article, there is no definite cure for osteoarthritis as this usually comes with age. We can only manage the symptoms that this disease may bring. Drug therapy, physical therapy and lifestyle changes are among others that can help in the management of symptoms. The best option however is surgery, especially if joints are severely damaged. Surgery may not be a choice for some as most OA sufferers are in their late 60′s while others may have underlying conditions and it would be too risky to perform the procedure on them. The possibility of post-operation complications is also present not only with the procedure but from defective devices used like in hip replacement operations that can lead to people filing for a DePuy Pinnacle Hip Replacement lawsuit, as some defective devices were manufactured at some point. Still, the best thing to do is to talk to your physician to evaluate the treatments best for suited for you.
Over several individuals have registered a “DePuy Pinnacle Lawsuit” up against the producer with regard to their anguish. When you have been affected regarding this situation, examine right the following for updates.
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