Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory health condition commonly associated with ageing and the most common type of arthritis in the UK. It is mainly caused by general wear and tear on the tissues and cartilage that form the end of bone joints in the body.
Women and those carrying excess body weight are at the most risk of developing osteoarthritis, and it is more common to experience it following a severe joint injury. While many people will dismiss bodily aches and pains as a natural part of getting older, early detection and diagnosis can go a long way to help slow or reduce the severity of the symptoms.
Catching and treating osteoarthritis as early as possible can make a significant difference to your quality of life and retaining the ability to maintain good mobility later in life.
Joint pain and impaired mobility
The most common symptom of osteoarthritis is joint pain, which can hurt when you move. Osteoarthritis mainly affects the lower limbs, such as the hips and knees, which can cause many people to avoid pain by reducing their activity and not standing up and walking around as much as they would normally.
The pain and inflammation in the affected joint can also reduce the range of movement, leading to stiffening of the joint. People often feel increased stiffness in their joints after periods of rest.
More than 80 per cent of people with osteoarthritis will experience trouble performing everyday physical activities such as walking, bending down and kneeling, making tasks like vacuuming and housework very uncomfortable.
Increased risks of falls and accidents
The risks of falls and accidents are measurably higher for those with osteoarthritis of the knees and hips. The reduced range of motion in the joints and joint stiffness can make it more difficult for people with osteoarthritis to balance and walk properly, making them more unsteady on their feet.
The pain and reduced mobility of affected joints can be severe enough to make even sitting down and standing up very difficult. Tasks that used to be easy and taken for granted can suddenly become very challenging and even exacerbate joint pain and inflammation symptoms.
This is why it makes so much sense to seek professional medical help with a proper diagnosis for osteoarthritis from a specialist rheumatologist such as Dr Bhadauria in one of his London-based practices.
Osteoarthritis diagnosis and treatment
Diagnosing osteoarthritis needs to be done by a specialist rheumatologist as they can determine whether you have osteoarthritis or your symptoms are masking another underlying health condition. Diagnosis involves a thorough physical examination and analysis of your symptoms. Diagnosing osteoarthritis involves other tests, such as body scans and blood tests, to help confirm the diagnosis and rule out other possible causes.
Treating osteoarthritis will depend on your diagnosis, your symptoms’ severity, and any other underlying health conditions you may have. You will need ongoing treatment and a long-term management plan for your condition, and your medical team will ensure you get the most effective treatment and care.
This all starts with booking a private consultation with an osteoarthritis specialist such as Dr Bhadauria. If you have symptoms of osteoarthritis, contact us to book a consultation and feel free to ask our team any questions you have to help put your mind at ease.
