OSTEOARTHRITIS Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the oldest and most common forms of arthr itis.

Known as the wear-and-tear kind of arthritis, OA is a chronic condition char acterized by the breakdown of the joint s cartilage. Cartilage is the part of the joint that cushions the ends of the bones and allows easy movement of joints. Th e breakdown of cartilage causes the bones to rub against each other, causing sti ffness, pain and loss of movement in the joint. CAUSES mechanical stress on joints underlies all osteoarthritis includes: misalignments of bones caused by congenital or pathogenic causes mechanical injury overweight loss of strength in muscles supporting joints impairment of peripheral nerves, leading to sudden or uncoordinated movements th at overstress joints. Primary osteoarthritis - osteoarthritis not resulting from injury or dis ease, is mostly a result of natural aging of the joint. With aging, the water co ntent of the cartilage increases, and the protein makeup of cartilage degenerate s. Eventually, cartilage begins to degenerate by flaking or forming tiny crevass es. In advanced osteoarthritis, there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion b etween the bones of the joints. Secondary Osteoarthritis - is caused by another disease or condition. Obesity repeated trauma or surgery to the joint structures abnormal joints at birth (congenital abnormalities), gout diabetes Risk Factors: 1. Older age - The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age. 2. Sex - Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, though it isn't clear why. 3. Bone deformities - Some people are born with malformed joints or defective ca rtilage, which can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. 4. Joint injuries - Injuries, such as those that occur when playing sports or fr om an accident, may increase the risk of osteoarthritis. 5. Obesity - Carrying more body weight places more stress on your weight-bearing joints, such as your knees. 6. Sedentary lifestyle - Cartilage depends on joint use for its nutrition. 7. Certain occupations - if your job includes tasks that place repetitive stress on a particular joint, that may predispose that joint toward eventually develop ing osteoarthritis. 8. Other diseases - Having diabetes, underactive thyroid, gout or Paget's diseas e of bone can increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Epidemiology: according to Loyolaclinic. Com there are Approximately 350 million peopl e worldwide have osteoarthritis. Half of them will develop it under 65 years of age. Symptoms of osteoarthritis include: Crunching, crackling, or grating sound or sensation in the affected joint Difficulty moving and immobility due to joint pain and inflammation Joint deformity in later stages of the disease

Joint inflammation and warmth Joint pain, which may be aggravated by certain types of activities including exc essive exercise or excessive inactivity Joint stiffness Joint swelling Joint pain becomes more severe with time and can lead to difficulty moving, immo bility, and disability. It is also often worse after excessive exercise or peri ods of inactivity. Diagnostics: x-ray arthrocentesis arthroscopy MRI CT scans Potential complications: Chronic pain Difficulties with fine motor control of the hands Immobility and disability Joint deterioration, deformity and destruction Nerve compression in the spinal cord (pinched nerves) Problems with posture, walking and balance Weakness or abnormal sensations of the arms or legs Treatments: Surgery Types of surgery for arthritis include: Arthrodesis - This joins (fuses) two bones in a damaged joint so that the joint won't bend. Doctors may use it to treat arthritis of the spine, ankles, hands, andfeet. In rare cases, it's used to treat the knees and hips. Arthroscopy - can help relieve pain for a short time and allow the joints to mov e better. In some cases, the relief lasts a long time. Hip resurfacing surgery - This is most often done in younger, more active people who have pain and disability caused by a badly damaged hip. Joint replacement - This is done when other treatments haven't worked and damage to the joint can be seen on X-rays. It involves surgery to replace the ends of bones in a damaged joint. The surgery creates new joint surfaces. Hip replacement surgery. Knee replacement surgery. Shoulder replacement surgery. Osteotomy - This is done to correct certain defects in the hip and knee. Small joint surgery - This is used if pain in the joints of the hands or feet is so bad that a person can't use those joints. Medications Acetaminophen (Tylenol), which relieves pain Cortisone injection, which reduces inflammation Glucosamine and chondroitin, which help strengthen damaged joint cartilage Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and aspirin, which reduce inflammation Injection of a synovial fluid substitute, which helps lubricate joints and ease stiffness and movement at home Heat and cold therapies to reduce inflammation and stiffness Occupational therapy to help maximize function

Physical therapy, including range-of-motion exercises to help strengthen joints and delay the loss of joint function. Nursing Management: 1. Administer anti-inflammatory medication and other drugs as ordered.] 2. Provide emotional support and reassurance to help the patient cope with limit ed mobility. 3. Encourage the patient to perform as much self-care as his immobility and pain allow. 4. To help promote sleep, adjust pain medications to allow for maximum rest. 5. Help the patient identify techniques and activities that promote rest and rel axation. 6. For joints in hand, provide hot soaks and paraffin dips to relieve pain as or dered. 7. Check crutches, cane, braces, or walker for proper fit. 8. Assess the patient s pain patterns. 9. Watch for skin irritation caused by prolonged use of assistive devices. 10. Instruct the patient to plan for adequate rest during the day. 11. Instruct the patient to takemedicationsexactly as prescribed.