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What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis, also called osteoarthritis by some, is a very common age-related degenerative joint disease. It is characterised by progressive wear and tear of the cartilage, the smooth tissue that covers the ends of the bones in the joints and enables pain-free, fluid movement. At the same time, a second mechanism is the building up of tiny calcifications around the joints that stiffen them.

The smooth, shock-absorbing covering of the joints wears away over time, and small bone bridges form around it.

What causes osteoarthritis?

The exact causes of osteoarthritis are not always clearly known, but several factors may contribute to it:

- Age: osteoarthritis is more common in older people.

- Normal wear and tear of the joints: over time, cartilage wears away naturally, sometimes more or less rapidly in some families.

- Excess weight: Excess weight puts extra pressure on joints, accelerating their wear and tear. This is true for the back and knees, but less so for the hips.

- Trauma: Injury to a joint can increase the risk of osteoarthritis in the medium or long term.

- Certain diseases: inflammatory rheumatism, etc.

What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?

The symptoms of osteoarthritis vary and depend on the joint affected. The most common are

- Pain: often felt during movement or after a period of inactivity: there is a painful ‘unlocking’ lasting a few minutes.

- Stiffness: especially on waking or after a period of rest. Here again, getting up and starting the morning are often more difficult.

- Swelling: of the affected joint.

- Reduced range of movement: progressive difficulty in moving the joint normally in all areas of space.

Which joints are most affected by osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis can affect every joint in the body (except the ankle, and very rarely the elbow), but the joints most frequently affected are :

- Knees

- the hips

- the fingers

- The spinal column: especially the cervical and lumbar regions, which can be painful, but also the back.

How is it diagnosed?

Osteoarthritis is diagnosed radiologically:

- X-rays: these show damage to the cartilage, since cartilage is radiolucent, so a pinch means there is less cartilage.

- MRI: this provides more detailed images of the joint. The reports can go beyond the painful symptomatology... get help in rereading these sometimes frightening reports!

What are the treatments for osteoarthritis?

There is no real cure for osteoarthritis, but various treatments can help relieve symptoms and improve the quality of life of sufferers. There are

- Medication: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or sometimes corticosteroids, painkillers, etc.

- Physiotherapy: to strengthen and, above all, stretch the periarticular muscles and thus improve mobility by reducing friction on cartilage surfaces.

- Infiltration: to relieve pain. Delayed corticosteroid or hyaluronic acid injections can be given.

- Surgery: As a last resort, surgery may be considered, such as hip or knee replacement. Here too, an expert can help you make the right decision!

It is important to seek medical advice if you suspect osteoarthritis. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help slow the progression of the disease and rule out other conditions.

These approaches, often complementary to drug treatments, aim to reduce pain, improve mobility and strengthen and stretch the muscles around the joints concerned.

Gentle, effective treatments :

- Physiotherapy: A personalised exercise programme strengthens and loosens muscles, improves flexibility and relieves pain.

- Balneotherapy: Hot baths and underwater massages relax muscles and reduce pain.

- Acupuncture: This traditional Chinese medicine technique stimulates certain points on the body to relieve pain and reduce inflammation.

- Relaxation techniques: Yoga, tai chi and meditation can help manage stress and reduce chronic pain by releasing muscle tension on the joints.

These gentle treatments have fewer side effects: They are generally well tolerated and have fewer side effects than anti-inflammatory drugs, of course. They can be used in addition to medical treatments to significantly improve your daily life.

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