Osteo arthritis happens to be a chronic, progressive, degenerative disease. The disease known to be affecting mainly the cartilage of the big, weight-bearing joints of the body. When multiple joint are affected, it is usually hereditary. Other causes are abnormal stress and strain on the joints.

Osteo arthritis may be primary or secondary. Primary osteo arthritis may involve cervical spine (cervical spondylosis) lumber spine (lumber spondylosis), knee joint (osteo arthritis of the knee) hip joint and the big toe joint. The secondary type is a signal to various conditions like trauma, gont, rheumatoid arthritis etc.

Symptoms for Osteo arthritis:

The weight-bearing joints like, lip, knee, shoulder, elbow and spinal joints are commonly involved. Pain inflicted after exercise and after a period of immobility is one of the symptoms. It is an aching pain and in intermittent initially and then becomes continuous . Sometimes there may be a nocturnal pain, disturbing sleep at night. Gradually, as the pain increases, the patient tends to restrict the movements of the joint, which becomes stiff.

Stiffness is a prominent symptom and it occurs when the patient gets up from bed in the morning after a good night's sleep. But with some movement, the stiffness becomes less. In several cases all movements are obstructed and the patient becomes completely bedridden and invalid. During this acute stage, rest is essential. Diet should be so adjusted so that it helps reduction of overweight.

Treatment for Osteo arthritis:

Physiotherapy may be helpful up to a great extent. Hot bath relieves spasm of the muscle and relieve stiffness. Consultation with a good orthopedic is mandatory for quick relief if not complete cure. We must keep in mind that sometimes minimizing the issue should be first priority than expecting to get cured completely, especially when age becomes a factor.

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