Now you can do something about your Osteoarthritis
December 21, 2001 | 12:00am
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of joint disease. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, it is thought to be the result of a process that has different outcomes, rather than a disease. It is characterized by the breakdown of the protective layer at the ends of the bones, called cartilage.
Cartilage is the covering on the ends of the bones that cushions the joint and protects it during movement. If the cartilage becomes worn away, the ends of the bone can become exposed. The muscles and tissues surrounding the joint can become irritated and inflamed, causing pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis can develop as a result of one or more of the following: wear and tear on the joint due to age; injury to the joint through accident or sport; injury to the joint through overuse; extra stress on the joint through being overweight; previous inflammation of the joint; and having a family tendency to develop arthritis.
What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary form person to person. Some people who show signs of OA on X-ray pictures may have no symptoms at all, but others may have severe symptoms.
The most common symptoms of OA are pain, stiffness, a warm joint and reduced movement in one or more affected joints. Sometimes, joints can be heard to crack or pop as they move. The most commonly affected joints are the knees, hips and hands.
Symptoms tend to come on gradually with some soreness and stiffness in the affected joint. For some people, pain will be the most troublesome symptoms, while for others joint stiffness or deformity may be the main complaints. If the knees and hips are affected, walking may be difficult or painful; similarly, if the hands are affected, sewing or typing or carrying things can be painful. People with osteoarthritis often have stiffness in their joints first thing in the morning or after holding them in one position for too long. This stiffness can be eased out with gentle exercise.
Who gets osteoarthritis?
OA is very common, and is thought to affect about 8-10% of all adults in the U.S. It usually affects people over the age of 45 and becomes increasingly common with age. By the age of 65, over 50% of the population has signs of some degree of arthritis on X-ray, although not everyone has symptoms.
Women are three times more likely to develop OA than men. People who put extra stress on their joints through sports, repetitive physical activity or obesity are also more likely to develop OA than those who don't.
If your doctor determines that you need to include medication in your treatment program, he or she may suggest a mild analgesic (pain-killer) such as aspirin, acetaminophen/paracetamol or prescribe an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to help reduce your pain. NSAIDs work to reduce the inflammation, pain and swelling of arthritis.
A new breakthrough medicine which can be taken once-a-day that effectively relieves pain and inflammation and is well tolerated is another option for the treatment of OA. Rofecoxib is a new medication that offers excellent 24-hour symptomatic relief in the treatment of OA, rheumatoid arthritis, management of acute pain and inflammation in adults, with fewer serious gastrointestinal side effects than current treatments. Rofecoxib is member of the new COX-2 inhibitor (Coxib) class.
Many people taking NSAIDs experience some sort of stomach upset. This might be for some of you, a bloated feeling, gas, heartburn or stomach ache and there could be constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. If you experience an undesirable effect from your medication, including acute pain or have any question, please do not hesitate to contact your doctor.
Cartilage is the covering on the ends of the bones that cushions the joint and protects it during movement. If the cartilage becomes worn away, the ends of the bone can become exposed. The muscles and tissues surrounding the joint can become irritated and inflamed, causing pain and stiffness.
Osteoarthritis can develop as a result of one or more of the following: wear and tear on the joint due to age; injury to the joint through accident or sport; injury to the joint through overuse; extra stress on the joint through being overweight; previous inflammation of the joint; and having a family tendency to develop arthritis.
What are the symptoms of Osteoarthritis?
The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary form person to person. Some people who show signs of OA on X-ray pictures may have no symptoms at all, but others may have severe symptoms.
The most common symptoms of OA are pain, stiffness, a warm joint and reduced movement in one or more affected joints. Sometimes, joints can be heard to crack or pop as they move. The most commonly affected joints are the knees, hips and hands.
Symptoms tend to come on gradually with some soreness and stiffness in the affected joint. For some people, pain will be the most troublesome symptoms, while for others joint stiffness or deformity may be the main complaints. If the knees and hips are affected, walking may be difficult or painful; similarly, if the hands are affected, sewing or typing or carrying things can be painful. People with osteoarthritis often have stiffness in their joints first thing in the morning or after holding them in one position for too long. This stiffness can be eased out with gentle exercise.
Who gets osteoarthritis?
OA is very common, and is thought to affect about 8-10% of all adults in the U.S. It usually affects people over the age of 45 and becomes increasingly common with age. By the age of 65, over 50% of the population has signs of some degree of arthritis on X-ray, although not everyone has symptoms.
Women are three times more likely to develop OA than men. People who put extra stress on their joints through sports, repetitive physical activity or obesity are also more likely to develop OA than those who don't.
If your doctor determines that you need to include medication in your treatment program, he or she may suggest a mild analgesic (pain-killer) such as aspirin, acetaminophen/paracetamol or prescribe an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) to help reduce your pain. NSAIDs work to reduce the inflammation, pain and swelling of arthritis.
A new breakthrough medicine which can be taken once-a-day that effectively relieves pain and inflammation and is well tolerated is another option for the treatment of OA. Rofecoxib is a new medication that offers excellent 24-hour symptomatic relief in the treatment of OA, rheumatoid arthritis, management of acute pain and inflammation in adults, with fewer serious gastrointestinal side effects than current treatments. Rofecoxib is member of the new COX-2 inhibitor (Coxib) class.
Many people taking NSAIDs experience some sort of stomach upset. This might be for some of you, a bloated feeling, gas, heartburn or stomach ache and there could be constipation, diarrhea, nausea or vomiting. If you experience an undesirable effect from your medication, including acute pain or have any question, please do not hesitate to contact your doctor.
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