Osteoarthritis (OA)

What is Osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease that shows up as a degeneration of cartilage in your joints. It can expose and cause wear in the bone that is underneath joints. OA typically manifests as pain and stiff joints, usually in a patient's 40's.

• OA has also been called Degenerative Joint Disease, and is the most common form of arthritis. 
• There are two forms of OA:
  • Idiopathic (localized):
  • Secondary: caused by trauma, congenital disorders, and problems in the metabolic, endocrine, or neuropathic systems.
• Symptoms typically show up in:
  • Knees
  • Hips
  • Joints in hands
  • Joints in spine 

Facts About Osteoarthritis

• 13.9% of Americans older than 25 have OA
  • In patients older than 65, this percentage goes up to 33.6%
• OA accounts for ~ 6% of all arthritis-related deaths, though this may be underestimated
  • It also is an underlying factor for 55% of arthritis-related hospitalizations
• Americans spend $7.9 billion on knee and hip replacements every year
• Patients with OA typically spend $5700 per year (as of 2000)
• Job-related OA costs range from $3.4-13.2 billion per year

Causes

• The specific causes for OA are unknown
  • It's thought that OA is caused by both mechanical and molecular events in each joint that's affected

What is Osteoarthritis of the Knee?

• Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the most common manifestations of OA.
  • Approximately 27 million people in the U.S. have OA
    • Every year, Americans spend ~$7.9 billion dollars on knee / hip replacements

Symptoms

• Especially in the knee, OA can cause:
  • Stiffness
  • Pain
  • "Locking up" of the knee
  • Grating / Catching of the joint during movement

Risk Factors

• Age 
• Bone deformities
• Gender
• Joint injuries
• Obesity
• Repetitive-stress jobs
• Diabetes
• Underactive thyroid
• Gout
• Paget's disease

Treatment

• Joint replacement surgery
• Cartilage
  • Grafting Surgery
• Exercise
• Weight loss
• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Glucosamine & Chondroitin
• Corticosteroid injections

Resources

• While there are no support groups in the Kenosha or Gurnee areas, the Center for Disease Control has some really in-depth support material. In addition, the Arthritis Foundation has several online support groups as well as information regarding coping with arthritis.

Source: Center for Disease Control