The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one in seven adults over age 25 years develops osteoarthritis from wear and tear on joints or from a family history of susceptible genes. Osteoarthritis commonly affects the neck, hands, knees, hips and lower back. Factors contributing to osteoarthritis include injury to the joint, deformity in the joint, obesity and muscle weakness.
Joint Pain
The bony surface area facing the joint increases and the bones strike each other. This abnormality produces a crackling sound and pain. According to "Medical Surgical Nursing," the buildup in the joint of prostaglandin, a chemical produced by osteoarthritis, creates additional pain.
Swelling
According to the "The New York Times," swelling or inflammation develops in the joint and in the surrounding soft tissue in osteoarthritis. The osteoarthritis creates specific inflammation proteins. These specific proteins cause breakdown of the cartilage and produce the swelling.
Decrease in Joint Fluid
The joint space normally contains a sticky, thick liquid, called synovial fluid, which cushions both the cartilage and bones during joint movement. When the synovial fluid declines, the joint lacks the ability to absorb the shock of walking or running. Osteoarthritis in the hip and knee joints reduces people's mobility, and causes difficulty walking and climbing stairs.
Stiffness
Osteoarthritis sufferers experience joint stiffness upon rising in the morning. According to Brigham and Women's Hospital, the stiffness recedes after using the joint. The change in joint shape and the loss of joint synovial fluid contribute to the stiffness.
Joint Deformity
In addition to the bone endings growing larger in the joint, the Arthritis Foundation says bone spurs or small deposits of bone can grow in the joint space. With atypical growth of bone and spur production, the joint takes on an abnormal shape. The irregular shape along with swelling and pain causes an inability to perform normal activities like walking, bending over or grasping objects. Surgery remains the only treatment available to correct deformity and bony growth in osteoarthritis.
References
- Arthritis Foundation: Osteoarthritis
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Arthritis
- "Medical Surgical Nursing"; The New NSAIDS: Cox-2 Inhibitors; Teri Capriotti; 2000
- "New York Times": Osteoarthritis
- Brigham and Women's Hospital: Osteoarthritis
