What Africans Need to Know about Osteoarthritis

By: Rukhsar Jabbar. M.Sc. Physiotherapy. Freelance Health Writer. Medical review by The DLHA Team

A black hand showing bony lumps (Herbeden's nodes) of osteoarthritis at black arrow in joints closets to the tip of the fingers

Highlights 

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful condition that affects and damages joints (i.e., where two bones meet). It causes stiffness and limitation in joint movements and it is also associated with swelling, redness and tenderness of soft tissues around an affected joint.

• Two categories of the condition exist, i.e., primary and secondary.

• OA limits movements in affected joints when the damage to the soft tissues of the joint gets worse.

• Conditions that increase your chances of having OA include; ageing, excessive weight (obesity), inheritance, trauma, hormonal imbalance, and metabolic syndrome. 

• The diagnosis of OA requires skilled evaluation from your healthcare provider.

• OA can be managed with and without medications. Usually, lifestyle changes and adaptations alone are sufficient for people with minor OA symptoms. But medication with lifestyle changes are required for more severe disorders.

Introduction

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a painful condition that affects and damages joints (i.e., where two bones meet). It causes stiffness and limitation in joint movements and it is also associated with swelling, redness and tenderness of soft tissues around an affected joint.

OA is the most common form of arthritis especially in the elderly. Individuals with osteoarthritis typically experience joint discomfort and a brief period of stiffness following rest or inactivity. The joints most frequently afflicted are the knees, hips, neck, hands and the lower back [1].

The purpose of this article is to assist you to better understand osteoarthritis by offering clear, and easy to digest information about the condition, including its symptoms, causes, and management. The article will also provide helpful tips on how to control the pain of osteoarthritis and enhance your quality of life.

What is osteoarthritis?

OA is a disease that causes changes in the structure and function of joint tissues, including bone spurs (osteophyte production), bone repair (bone remodelling), and breakdown of cartilage (cartilage degradation).

It is a common chronic illnesses especially in the elderly. OA can affect many different aspects of your life, such as mental and physical well-being, mobility, sleep patterns, participation in work, dealing with pain, etc. [2]

What causes osteoarthritis?

What causes the breakdown of joint tissues in primary osteoarthritis is unknown, but as the condition progresses, it can harm every joint component, including:

• Bone

• The synovium (i.e., the soft tissue lining a joint. It is responsible for producing fluid that lubricates joints and reduces friction)

• Cartilage (e.g., knee meniscus)

• Ligaments and tendons

Types of osteoarthritis

OA can be classed into two types as follows:

• Primary
• Secondary

Primary OA has no identifiable underlying cause.

Secondary OA can be due to: [3]

• Direct trauma to a joint, or

• The existence of a pre-existing joint condition, such as:
  • Chronic stress disorder (from overweight or overuse)
  • Birth defects
  • Infections
  • Metabolic disorders
  • Gout
  • Other forms of arthritis

How common is osteoarthritis?

Among the disorders of muscles and bones (musculoskeletal disorders), osteoarthritis is one of the major contributors to years lived with disability.

Osteoarthritis is more common in the elderly (about 70% of those over 55), hence as the population ages, it is anticipated that its prevalence will rise globally.

Osteoarthritis usually develops in the late 40s to mid-50s, although it can occasionally strike younger people, especially athletes and those who have had joint damage or injury as well as those with defective genes in the cartilage of joints [1].

Women make up about 60% of the osteoarthritis population [4] as it often appears after menopause. 

What may raise your odds for osteoarthritis?

The following may raise your odds for osteoarthritis:

• Ageing

• Obesity

• Heredity

• Acute trauma

• Chronic overload

• Gender (being female)

• Hormone profile

• Pre-existing metabolic disorders

Advancing age is the main condition that raises your odds for osteoarthritis (OA). It causes gradual decline in structure and function of your joints.

Post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) often occurs after severe injuries, like fractures or joint instability, and these can damage the cartilage by increasing stress on the joints.

Obesity, defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 30 kg/m², is a major global health issue. Since walking exerts three to six times more force on the knees, excess weight significantly increases stress on the knee joints, thereby raising the odds for osteoarthritis.

Chronic overuse, genetics, gender, hormone levels, and metabolic disorders also contribute to the development of OA. These factors, along with environmental influences, make OA a complex condition. [5]

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The following are typical symptoms of osteoarthritis that you may have: [1]

• Discomfort when you use the affected joint. This can go away when you relax

• Nighttime pain may be more severe for certain individuals as the condition progresses

• Localised or widespread pain is possible

• Stiffness in the joints, especially in the morning or after a period of rest. This usually reduces in less than 30 minutes

• Changes or reduced in joint mobility

• Nodular swelling in and around affected joints, for example joints of the terminal fingers (Herbeden's nodes). Other large joints may also feature swelling and pain especially after extensive use or activity

• Feelings of instability or looseness in the joint

What joints are commonly affected by Osteoarthritis OA?

The joints of the body that are commonly affected by osteoarthritis and the symptoms that you may have include the following: [1]

• Hands: Over time, the finger joints may change shape and become enlarged

• Knees: You might hear a scraping or grinding sound when moving. Over time, weak muscles and ligaments can cause the knee to buckle

• Hips: You may feel pain or stiffness in your buttocks, inner thighs, groin, or hip joint. Sometimes, hip arthritis can cause pain that spreads to the knees. Eventually, your hip's range of motion may decrease

• Back bones (Spine): You may experience pain and stiffness in your lower back or neck. In some cases, changes in the spine can lead to narrowing of the space within the bones of the spinal (spinal stenosis), causing various symptoms.

References

Published: September 4, 2024

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