Bone and Degenerative disease

Osteoarthritis: Understanding Its Impact and Treatment Options

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects millions of people worldwide. While it can occur in any joint, it most commonly affects the knees, hips, neck, lower back, and the joints of the fingers and toes. This condition leads to reduced mobility and pain when moving the affected joints. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones gradually wears away. In a healthy joint, cartilage acts as a “cap” that allows for smooth, pain-free movement. However, in osteoarthritis, this cartilage slowly breaks down, leading to pain, swelling, and decreased joint mobility. If left untreated, it can cause further complications, such as:

• Bone Spurs: Extra bone growth that develops around the joint.
• Joint Creaking: A grating sensation due to rough surfaces of the bones rubbing together.
• Joint Debris: Fragments of bone and cartilage may break off and float within the joint space.
• Inflammation: This can accelerate the destruction of the remaining cartilage.
• Total Cartilage Loss: Eventually leading to significant joint damage.

Why Women Are More at Risk for Osteoarthritis

Women are at a higher risk of developing knee osteoarthritis than men. The body continuously creates new bone mass while old bone mass is reabsorbed. After the age of 35, women lose bone mass at a rate two to three times faster than men, particularly after menopause due to the decrease in estrogen levels. This hormonal change can lead to a decrease in bone mass and contribute to the development of osteoporosis, making middle-aged and older women more susceptible to osteoarthritis.

Risk Factors for Osteoarthritis

Several factors can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis, including:

• Structural Abnormalities: Conditions like bowlegs or knee deformities.
• Lifestyle Factors: Activities that put stress on the joints, such as kneeling or sitting on the floor for extended periods.
• Increased Body Weight: Excess weight puts additional stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees.
• Aging: The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
• Gender: Women are more likely to develop osteoarthritis, particularly after menopause.
• History of Joint Injury: Previous injuries to the knee or other joints can lead to osteoarthritis.
• Underlying Health Conditions: Diseases like rheumatoid arthritis or gout can also increase the risk.

Treatment Options for Knee Osteoarthritis

Traditional treatments for osteoarthritis, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, only provide temporary relief. These medications can have side effects, including stomach irritation, acid reflux, and kidney damage. Newer medications can also have cardiovascular risks. While injections like hyaluronic acid or steroids can temporarily relieve symptoms, they do not repair the damaged cartilage and may eventually lead to the need for knee replacement surgery.

The most crucial aspect of treating knee pain is accurate diagnosis. The most precise diagnosis involves examining the function of the affected joint combined with palpation of specific points. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, the focus should shift to treatments that promote repair and regeneration rather than just pain relief. This approach includes injections and physical therapy aimed at stimulating the body’s cells to repair themselves, leading to stronger joints and improved function without the complications associated with traditional treatments.

Advanced Treatment Approaches

• High Power Laser, Shock Wave, and TMS: These modern physical therapy techniques stimulate cellular repair, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain. They also promote the repair of cells, including mesenchymal stem cells.
• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): This treatment involves drawing a small amount of the patient’s blood, separating the platelets, and then injecting them into the affected joint. The platelets release growth factors that trigger the body’s natural repair processes.
• Organopeptides: These are specific to different types of cells, such as brain peptides that repair brain cells, or joint peptides that repair joint tissue.

By focusing on treatments that encourage the body to heal itself, patients can experience improved joint function and reduced pain, potentially avoiding more invasive procedures like joint replacement.