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Osteoarthritis

Date: 14 Oct 2013
By: admin_campbell
Comment: 0




NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

Causes of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when there is damage in and around the joints that the body can’t fully repair. The exact causes are not known but there are several factors thought to increase your risk of developing the condition.

As part of normal life, your joints are exposed to a constant low level of damage. In most cases, your body will repair the damage itself. Usually, the repair process will pass unnoticed and you will not experience any symptoms.

However, in cases of osteoarthritis, the damage to the joints is not fully repaired and instead some of the cartilage (the protective surface that allows your joints to move smoothly) in the joint can be lost, bony growths can develop, and the area can become slightly inflamed (red and swollen).

These changes are what cause the typical symptoms of pain, stiffness and swelling.

Contributory factors

It is not known why problems develop in the repair process in cases of osteoarthritis, although, several factors are thought to increase your risk of developing the condition. These include:

  • Joint injury – Osteoarthritis can develop in a joint damaged by an injury or operation. Overusing your joint when it has not had enough time to heal after an injury or operation can also contribute to osteoarthritis in later life.
  • Other conditions (secondary arthritis) – Sometimes, osteoarthritis can occur in joints severely damaged by a previous or existing condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout. It is possible for secondary osteoarthritis to develop many years after the initial damage to your joint.
  • Age – Osteoarthritis is not a normal part of ageing, but your risk of developing the condition does increase as you get older. Most cases affect adults who are 45 years of age or older.
  • Family history – In some cases, osteoarthritis may run in families. Genetic studies have not identified a single gene responsible, so it seems likely that many genes make small contributions.
  • Obesity – Research into the causes of osteoarthritis has shown that being obese puts excess strain on your joints, particularly those that bear most of your weight, such as your knees and hips. As a result, osteoarthritis can often be worse in obese people.

Although it is not possible to prevent osteoarthritis altogether, making some lifestyle changes to reduce your risk of joint injury and maintain a healthy weight may lower your chances of developing the condition.

Read more about preventing osteoarthritis.

Published Date
2014-09-15 16:14:17Z
Last Review Date
2014-08-26 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-08-26 00:00:00Z
Classification
Arthritis,Joints,Obesity,Osteoarthritis




Osteoarthritis – Living with – NHS Choices































































Osteoarthritis – Living with 

Living with osteoarthritis  

With the right support, you can lead a healthy, active life with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis doesn’t necessarily get worse and doesn’t always lead to disability.

Self-care

Self-care is an integral part of daily life. It means you take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing with support from those involved in your care. Self-care includes things you do each day to stay fit, maintain good physical and mental health, prevent illness or accidents, and effectively deal with minor ailments and long-term conditions.

People living with long-term conditions can benefit enormously if they receive support for self-care. They can live longer, have less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, have a better quality of life and are more active and independent.

Living healthily

A good diet and regular exercise will help keep muscles strong and control your weight, which is good for osteoarthritis and also has other health benefits.

Read more information about eating a healthy diet, health and fitness and losing weight.

Take your medication

It is important to take your medication as prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Continuous medication can sometimes help prevent pain, although if your medications have been prescribed ‘as required’, you may not need to take them in between painful episodes. If you have any questions or concerns about the medication you’re taking or any side effects you think you may be experiencing, talk to your healthcare team.

It may also be useful to read the information leaflet that comes with the medication, which will tell you about possible interactions with other drugs or supplements. Check with your healthcare team if you plan to take any over-the-counter remedies, such as painkillers, or any nutritional supplements, as these can sometimes interfere with your medication.

Regular reviews

Because osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, you’ll be in regular contact with your healthcare team. A good relationship with the team means that you can easily discuss your symptoms or concerns. The more the team knows, the more it can help you.

Vaccinations

People with long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis are often encouraged to get an annual flu jab each autumn to protect against flu.

You may also be advised to get a pneumoccocal vaccination. This is a one-off injection that protects against a serious chest infection called pneumococcal pneumonia.

Want to know more?

Talk to others hide

Many people find it helpful to talk to other people who are in a similar position to them. You may find support from a group or by talking individually to someone who has osteoarthrits.

Patient organisations have local groups where you can meet other people with the same condition.

The Arthritis Care helpline is open 10am to 4pm weekdays. Call free on 0808 800 4050. You can also email them at Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk.

Want to know more?

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Your feelings show

A diagnosis of osteoarthritis can initially be confusing and overwhelming. Like many people with a long-term health condition, those who find out they have osteoarthritis may feel anxious or depressed. But there are people you can talk to who can help, including your GP or support groups.

Want to know more?

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Work and money show

If you have severe osteoarthritis and are still working, your symptoms may interfere with your working life and may affect your ability to do your job. Arthritis Care has useful advice on how you can make simple adjustments at work to make it easier to do your job (see below).

If you have to stop work or work part time because of your arthritis, you may find it hard to cope financially. You may be entitled to one or more of the following types of financial suppor:

You may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home or if you have a low household income.

Want to know more?

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Page last reviewed: 27/08/2014

Next review due: 27/08/2016

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Comments

The 4 comments posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Jakewills said on 07 March 2012

Sorry the link I wrote was wrong, this is the right link:
http://bit.ly/xtUNzH

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Jakewills said on 02 March 2012

I’ve used kneease myself for an ACL reconstruction that still gives me jip.
It helped quite a bit, I was surprised, I only bought it because it’s pretty cheap and I thought what the heck.
I use it in the morning and at night and I have no pain during the day – except after I train my legs I have to use it again to stop them aching excessively.

I bought it because of the revieq I read over here:
bit.ly/z5TZeV
might be useful

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Anniewish said on 07 August 2011

Hi Shankers, I have exactly the same problem with both my knees. I’ve been taking diclofenec and co-codomol for several years and although they take the edge off, I continually struggle with the pain. Could I please ask you for the details of the kneease pain relief you refer to as I’d like to give it a try. Thanks – Annie

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shankers said on 02 August 2011

I suffer from advanced oasteoarthritis of both knees and have struggled with anti-inflammatories for many years. The only significant pain relief I achieve is with a Kneease pain relief device which straps to my knee to block the pain.

Hopefully I can avoid surgery as I get older.

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Life with osteoarthritis

Kathleen Smith describes life with osteoarthritis and how swimming helps with the pain

Pain

What to do about different types of pain, including joint pain, back pain and migraines, and managing long-term pain

Foot health

How to keep your feet healthy, choose the right sports shoes and what to do if you have smelly feet

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NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

Diagnosing osteoarthritis

There is no definitive test to diagnose osteoarthritis, so your GP will ask about your symptoms and examine your joints to help determine whether you have the condition.

Your GP may suspect osteoarthritis if:

  • you are 45 years of age or older
  • you have joint pain that gets worse the more you use your joints
  • you have no stiffness in your joints in the morning, or stiffness that lasts no longer than 30 minutes

If your symptoms are slightly different from those listed above, this may indicate that you have another joint condition. For example, prolonged joint stiffness in the morning can be a sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

Further tests – such as X-rays or blood tests – are not usually necessary to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, although they may be used to rule out other possible causes of your symptoms, such as rheumatoid arthritis or a fractured bone.

X-rays can also allow doctors to assess the level of damage to your joints, but this is rarely helpful as the extent of damage visible on an X-ray isn’t a good indicator of how severe your symptoms are.

Want to know more?

Published Date
2014-09-15 16:14:33Z
Last Review Date
2014-08-26 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-08-26 00:00:00Z
Classification
Osteoarthritis






NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

Introduction

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the joints to become painful and stiff. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK.

The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. For some people, the symptoms may be mild and may come and go, whereas others can experience more continuous and severe problems.

Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips, and small joints of the hands.

The pain and stiffness in the joints can make carrying out everyday activities difficult for some people with the condition.

Read more about the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis so they can try to identify the cause.

To help determine whether you have osteoarthritis, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints.

Read more about diagnosing osteoarthritis.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis occurs when there is damage in and around the joints that the body cannot fully repair.

It’s not clear exactly why this happens in some people, although your chances of developing the condition can be influenced by a number of factors, such as your age and weight.

Osteoarthritis usually develops in people over 45 years of age, although younger people can also be affected.

It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not quite true. You may in fact be able to reduce your chances of developing the condition by doing regular, gentle exercises and maintaining a healthy weight.

Read more about the causes of osteoarthritis and preventing osteoarthritis.

Managing osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition and can’t be cured, but it doesn’t necessarily get any worse over time and it can sometimes gradually improve. A number of treatments are also available to reduce the symptoms.

Mild symptoms can sometimes be managed with simple measures including regular exercise, losing weight if you are overweight, wearing suitable footwear and using special devices to reduce the strain on your joints during your everyday activities.

If your symptoms are more severe, you may need additional treatments such as painkilling medication and a structured exercise plan carried out under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

In a small number of cases, where the above treatments haven’t helped or the damage to the joints is particularly severe, surgery may be carried out to repair, strengthen or replace a damaged joint.

Read more about treating osteoarthritis.

Living with osteoarthritis

As osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, it is important you get the right support to help you cope with any issues such as reduced mobility and advice on any necessary financial support.

As well as support from your healthcare team, it is important to look after your own health and wellbeing. This includes taking your medicine regularly and adopting as healthy a lifestyle as possible.

Some people may also find it helpful to talk to their GP or others who are living with the same condition as there may be questions or worries you want to share.

Read more about living with osteoarthritis.

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    <script type="text/javascript">brightcove.createExperiences();</script><noscript><a href="http://www.nhs.uk/flashcont/altflash/cs_osteoarthritis.htm">Read transcript for video – Osteoarthritis: Elaine's story</a></noscript>
Published Date
2014-09-15 16:13:46Z
Last Review Date
2014-08-26 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-08-26 00:00:00Z
Classification
Arthritis,Joints,Osteoarthritis






NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

Living with osteoarthritis

Talk to others

Many people find it helpful to talk to other people who are in a similar position to them. You may find support from a group or by talking individually to someone who has osteoarthrits.

Patient organisations have local groups where you can meet other people with the same condition.

The Arthritis Care helpline is open 10am to 4pm weekdays. Call free on 0808 800 4050. You can also email them at Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk.

Want to know more?

Your feelings

A diagnosis of osteoarthritis can initially be confusing and overwhelming. Like many people with a long-term health condition, those who find out they have osteoarthritis may feel anxious or depressed. But there are people you can talk to who can help, including your GP or support groups.

Want to know more?

Work and money

If you have severe osteoarthritis and are still working, your symptoms may interfere with your working life and may affect your ability to do your job. Arthritis Care has useful advice on how you can make simple adjustments at work to make it easier to do your job (see below).

If you have to stop work or work part time because of your arthritis, you may find it hard to cope financially. You may be entitled to one or more of the following types of financial suppor:

You may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home or if you have a low household income.

Want to know more?

Published Date
2014-09-15 16:15:09Z
Last Review Date
2014-08-26 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-08-26 00:00:00Z
Classification
Arthritis,Arthritis Care,Disability (living with),Getting active,Long-term management,Osteoarthritis






NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

Preventing osteoarthritis

It is not possible to prevent osteoarthritis altogether. However, you may be able to minimise your risk of developing the condition by avoiding injury and staying as healthy as possible.

Look after your joints

Exercising regularly can help keep your joints healthy, but take care not to put too much stress on your joints, particularly your hips, knees and the joints in your hands.

Avoid exercise that puts strain on your joints and forces them to bear an excessive load, such as running and weight training. Instead, try exercises such as swimming and cycling, where your joints are better supported and the strain on your joints is more controlled.

Try to maintain good posture at all times, and avoid staying in the same position for too long. If you work at a desk, make sure your chair is at the correct height, and take regular breaks to move around.

Read more information about health and fitness including tips on simple exercises you can do at home.

Keep your muscles strong

Your muscles help support your joints, so having strong muscles may help your joints stay strong too.

Try to do at least 150 minutes (2 hours and 30 minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic activity (such as cycling or fast walking) every week to build up your muscle strength and keep yourself generally healthy.

Exercise should be fun, so do what you enjoy, but try not to put too much strain on your joints.

Lose weight if you are overweight or obese

Being overweight or obese can increase the strain on your joints and increase your risk of developing osteoarthritis. Losing weight if you are overweight may therefore help lower your chances of developing the condition.

To find out whether or not you are overweight or obese, use the healthy weight calculator.

Read more about losing weight.

Want to know more?

Published Date
2014-09-15 16:15:26Z
Last Review Date
2014-08-26 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-08-26 00:00:00Z
Classification
Getting active,Joints,Muscles,Obesity,Osteoarthritis




Osteoarthritis – NHS Choices































































Osteoarthritis 

Introduction 

Osteoarthritis: Elaine’s story


Viewing video content in NHS Choices

If you do not have a version of the Flash Player you can download the free Adobe Flash Player from Adobe Systems Incorporated.

According to Elaine: “Your brain is the best painkiller you’ve got.” She talks about her experience of osteoarthritis and how she manages the condition.

Media last reviewed: 14/05/2013

Next review due: 14/05/2015

Pain

What to do about different types of pain, including joint pain, back pain and migraines, and managing long-term pain

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes the joints to become painful and stiff. It is the most common type of arthritis in the UK.

The severity of osteoarthritis symptoms can vary greatly from person to person, and between different affected joints. For some people, the symptoms may be mild and may come and go, whereas others can experience more continuous and severe problems.

Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips, and small joints of the hands.

The pain and stiffness in the joints can make carrying out everyday activities difficult for some people with the condition.

Read more about the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis so they can try to identify the cause.

To help determine whether you have osteoarthritis, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints.

Read more about diagnosing osteoarthritis.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis occurs when there is damage in and around the joints that the body cannot fully repair.

It’s not clear exactly why this happens in some people, although your chances of developing the condition can be influenced by a number of factors, such as your age and weight.

Osteoarthritis usually develops in people over 45 years of age, although younger people can also be affected.

It is commonly thought that osteoarthritis is an inevitable part of getting older, but this is not quite true. You may in fact be able to reduce your chances of developing the condition by doing regular, gentle exercises and maintaining a healthy weight.

Read more about the causes of osteoarthritis and preventing osteoarthritis.

Managing osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a long-term condition and can’t be cured, but it doesn’t necessarily get any worse over time and it can sometimes gradually improve. A number of treatments are also available to reduce the symptoms.

Mild symptoms can sometimes be managed with simple measures including regular exercise, losing weight if you are overweight, wearing suitable footwear and using special devices to reduce the strain on your joints during your everyday activities.

If your symptoms are more severe, you may need additional treatments such as painkilling medication and a structured exercise plan carried out under the supervision of a physiotherapist.

In a small number of cases, where the above treatments haven’t helped or the damage to the joints is particularly severe, surgery may be carried out to repair, strengthen or replace a damaged joint.

Read more about treating osteoarthritis.

Living with osteoarthritis

As osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, it is important you get the right support to help you cope with any issues such as reduced mobility and advice on any necessary financial support.

As well as support from your healthcare team, it is important to look after your own health and wellbeing. This includes taking your medicine regularly and adopting as healthy a lifestyle as possible.

Some people may also find it helpful to talk to their GP or others who are living with the same condition as there may be questions or worries you want to share.

Read more about living with osteoarthritis.

Page last reviewed: 27/08/2014

Next review due: 27/08/2016

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The 32 comments posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

alitmyche said on 24 February 2014

Nanaof4 – regarding your syncope whilst standing, have you ever been tested for Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome? If not ask for a Tilt Table Test to be done. you may have had one before to assess your syncope, but if not it may be worthwhile for you x

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nanaof4 said on 31 January 2014

I had an accident at work 4 yrs ago, I was told I had server arthritis in my lower back, feet, knees and hands plus I have a heart condition, I also suffer with something called syncope ( if I stand still for 2-3 mins at a time I passout) I am on aprox 27 different tablets daily of them I take 8 paracetamol, 8 codeine pain killers, 2 tabs to stop the muscle spasms in my back, the rest are for heart and under active thyroid, my mobility is drastically limited, and I need to lose weight this is very difficult and painful, but I have been told I am fit for work, but no one will hire me and I can’t claim job seekers because my husband works, even though I had worked all my working life, I keep falling, scalding my hands and legs, or passing out but I’m fit to work.

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Sickofthenhsnothelpingpeople said on 09 November 2013

The same doctor months later but shortly before i was due back at the hospital told me "oh sometimes she (meaning the consultant at the hospital) doesn’t treat Sjogren’s, she just monitors it" and I thought well we’ll see what my consultant thinks, sure enough I am on non steroidal anti inflammatory tablets – started as 1 twice daily but now just once daily and paracetamol WHEN required). When I asked that, I was told no as there were no indicators in the blood test so I asked if it could be done again because by that time I was getting very worried about my mam. Up to now my mam has now lost over 3 stone and yet the pain is worse than ever. That same doctor when I went with my mam to give moral support even had the cheek to say he didn’t think she would ever get to her target weight – which is a bit contradictory when on one hand they say lose weight but then they say oh I don’t think you’ll ever get to your target weight. I am not against weight loss if needed but you can’t look up at a person and always blame their weight, or if they drink or smoke. My mam is determined to get to her target weight but even now they still say her weight is a problem – I suppose it’s too difficult for some doctors to say something positive like oh I see you have lost over 3 stone now, we’re really pleased with your progress, we’ll have you at your target weight in no time and far easier to make people feel so low. If i had the money to pay for my mam to be seen privately I would happily pay the fees if it meant she got her her life back to what it was 3 years ago. It’s a shame when you have to think like this. I would urge everyone to get some private health care and make sure they are comprehensively covered because the NHS (like it or not NHS) are letting people down.

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Sickofthenhsnothelpingpeople said on 09 November 2013

My poor mam fell in 2010 and instead of going to A & E as it was a busy time of year for them she decided to carry on as best as she could. Sometime later in the year she started suffering horrendous pain in her knee which has recently spread up her leg. I was so annoyed that every time she went to the doctors they used to say it’s your weight – all this despite at the time of losing nearly 2 stone and not suffering this pain before her weightloss that I went for support with my mam earlier this year. I only spoke up when the doctor – who my mam had always had high praises for said it was her weight and he could give her weight loss tablets. I’m sure surgery was even mentioned. I asked if there was a chance my mam could have Sjogren’s Syndrome (as I have found out I have this but not before being told the swelling in the bottom of my legs which looks like a pocket of fluid but isn’t was my weight after that doctor went and got another doctor.

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Sickofthenhsnothelpingpeople said on 09 November 2013

@ jayneshappy and PeterinPain – please go to your GP and demand a 2nd opinion, demand to be referred to someone in the hospital who deals with the type of arthritis you have or go to A&E if they refuse because you shouldn’t be poorly treated like this. There are some doctors who care but there are more in my opinion who don’t yet they still get nearly £1000 a day in some cases, I know this when I was looking at the potential salaries.

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LRN2013 said on 25 October 2013

Its really shameful how PeterinPain is not getting his painkillers just because theres a chance of addiction. Its up to the doctors to monitor any addiction pattern but its totally unethical to let someone suffer pain and sleeplessness due to extreme pain caused by bone ailments! Those doctors ought to be reported to the NHS or to the certifying body for GPs.

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Peterinpain said on 23 October 2013

I’m typing this at 2.20 am because I have woken up in severe pain, as I do every night. Can I get my GP to take me seriously? Are you kidding? I used to have an excellent doctor but, unfortunately had to move house.
I expected the new practice to simply renew my prescriptions but they refused point blank, on the grounds that one of them could be addictive and the other will probably kill me! More like kill their budget and reduce their inflated salaries!
After a lot of stress and arguing, I finally got one doctor to prescribe my painkillers, albeit at half the previous dose. So now I get only 2-3 hours sleep per night and much pain in between.
What does this site say? See your "health professional" ? What a joke! If these people could feel our pain for just one hour, they might just attempt to do the job they are so well paid for.
I don’t care if I’m addicted, which I’m not, as long as I don’t have to be in agony every day for the rest of my life. The last time I was waiting for a prescription, someone came in for a repeat for her husband; 14 different drugs! yet I can’t get 3-4 painkillers per day because they could be addictive and I can’t get anti inflammatory drugs full stop.
Doctors!!

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Robot22 said on 23 September 2013

Reading all these comments are all very depressing, and
shows how terrible people are treated. To be able to get the right support, medically diagnosis and treatment, financially help or advice and evan the emotional support is basic and essential. This is true for all conditions. It is just not good enough. For those who do get the right help — think yourself lucky.

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jayneshappy said on 11 September 2013

I have been diagnosed over 2 years with osteoarthritis in both my knees. I have the most horrendous pain and stiffness. YET i cant getmy gp to send me to see the orthopods.. All i get is pain killers and more xrays to see how the osteoarthritis is progressing.. Some days i can barelly walk … I applied to the DWPfor disabilty help and evry time i have been turned down as not being disabled enough and despite having a dwp doctor come to my homw and openly tell me my mobility is very impaired ……

I have fallen over many times and the last time i broke my cheekbone BUT DESPITE this i cant get anywhere .. If my huband woudgive me a hammer id break my knees and then perhaps someone would help me .. Im suicidal withthis pain … I have had to give up my home to move in to shetered accommodation so if im on my own and fall i can summon help ….. Its degrading , disheartning and horrible .. The dwp just treats you like a piece of meat ….

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Siouxie said on 20 June 2013

I originally went to a GP with painful joints in my hands when I was in my mid 30’s. I was sent off with a fairly nasty ticking off for time wasting, she didn’t even examine me or ask any questions.
Ten years later it turned out that it was osteoarthritis and it was well established in the joints of my fingers and thumb, plus a misshapen wrist. I also now have osteo in my hips, shoulders and knees.
If the original GP had been bothered to do her job properly, I’d have had treatment and advice. As it is, at 60yrs, my mobility has suffered, I can’t do the work I used to do, even driving my car is difficult because I can barely turn my neck. Some days I struggle to walk. At least now I get help and support from my surgery from the GP and practice nurse. .Just wish that first GP had been prepared to listen and not think someone under 40yrs can have arthritis.

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blxsix said on 14 June 2013

well I am hoping someone can help. I was told years ago that I had fibromyalgia syndrome, but that didn’t feel right – it’s not my muscles that hurt, it’s the joints. they do a lovely grinding noise when I move, and that’s almost every joint in my body. my knuckles in particular seize up and ‘jump’ rather than running smoothly. should I be asking for arthritis tests? because a new specialist has just said that I don’t have fms, I have cfs and should go for cognitive behavior therapy. now I have had this pain for thirty years and I’m really unsure what difference group therapy will do for me…. any thoughts?

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The Old Groaner said on 21 December 2012

Much the same as other comments here. I attempted to walk two streets to the shops(Ironically to photocopy)and send forms to try and continue to get financial help from the State for my illnesses.

But with all the changes coming I am fearful that the help will stop and worse I worry that I can keep a roof over my head, in many ways it is heat or eat. I don’t equally want to lose my independence. I work around my problems. It changes across the day how I will be.

Sadly, we have to fight the anecdotal evidence that politicians and the media put forward about those who need help. Often the most vocal are ignorant of what life is really like for many.

I am on strong medication and as many say I am exhausted and in pain if I try to go out but if I stay indoors I am alone looking at four walls. And they say get out and socialise for your mental well being. It costs money. Especially if you depend on taxis and an infrequent expensive public transport service.

I feel as though I am not a part of society but I want to avoid using carers or social services. I am sorry but I was not impressed with the care Mum had before she passed away earlier this year and it fills me with fear that I may be in a similar situation one day.

Whilst I can I am trying to eat a decent diet in the hope it helps and I too have started to try some suppliments to see if they can help reverse control the pain and restriction of movement.

Most of my health problems are unseen(Immune deficiancy problems, water retention, gout, kidney disease)amongst others but mobility is the worst thing of all.

I do try to stay positive but it gets more difficult with what we are told will happen. I am exhausted with only doing a small amount and cannot do tasks on a regular bases.

I can do without all the additional stress many of us are being put under…

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Rendella said on 17 December 2012

I have suffered from osteoarthritis since my early thirties when it was first diagnosed. I have had one hip replaced, and am on a waiting list to have second one replaced. I also have arthritis in my knees and spine, and some problems with my left foot. The biggest problems for me are side effects from drugs, I am on morphine, and exhaustion. I have absolutely no stamina for anything. I feel as though I have a half life. I cannot work any longer, I just suffer too much on a daily basis, but am not on benefits. My husband supports me financially. I am considering applying for benefits, as my husband is now retired, and our income is substantially reduced. I have to say I will be approaching the DWP with trepidation, I hear plenty of horror stories about depressed people being handled very insensitively in these matters. All in all not a nice prospect, and I am becoming very dependent on others which really affects my self esteem. I am 52 years of age, but I feel my real age is 82. Another problem for me is with my diminished stamina is a diminished social life, it is very easy to stay in because it is easier than making the effort to go out, but then isolation and depression set in. It is good to read the previous accounts on this page, because it makes you feel that others understand, something which is always heartening, when arthritis is so often misunderstood, as I have had some very cruel comments made to me by others, who have wrongly assumed that I am lazy, and am exaggerating problems, which is crazy as who would choose to have 2 hips replaced? I wish I could be taking a full and active part in society.

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MrCumbersome said on 11 July 2012

My wife has significant O/A of the spine as well as both knees to a less extent. Her pain is treated by injections into both knees when they become painful. It practice this is roughly every two years and the injections are of Hyaluronidase weekly for three weeks, folowed by 48hours rest after each one. These injections are given by our Rheumatologist. We are living in France, where Hyaluronidase (Synovlar) is used routinely for O/A. I see the NICE does not recommend its use but, for us, empirically it has been fantastic – for what must now be ten years of treatment. Between treatments my wife’s knees are able to function normally – a recent holiday in Madeira climbing dozens of steps twice daily with no pain or difficulty!!

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MrCumbersome said on 11 July 2012

My wife has O/A of spine and knees. We are living in France and she has received injections into both knees, roughly every two years of Hyaluronidase – Hyaluronic Acid – commercially as Synovlar. This has been pretty near miraculous for her and her knees only begin to become painful again towards the end of the two year period. The drug is an old one, been around for years and I think started to be used in Italy as an injection into joints. It is much used here, but I find little evidence of its use in the UK. Perhaps something to ask about???
PS I think we are now on the tenth year of treatment. Injections are given at weekly intervals – ice packs for a couple of times in the first day after, and 48hours of rest. After that……….. normal activities.

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Lissy55 said on 17 June 2012

KazzieD, I feel exactly the same,I have both osteoarthritis and Rheaumatoid, some days the pain never lets up some times it is bearable, but never fully goes away. 1-10 is riduiculous as we are all different in our pain threshold, sick of being asked by the doctors. No real relief from any thing, cant take anti inflamatory’s because i have hiatus hernia, Long term med’s have caused liver problems so have had to come of eveything for the time being, exhausted and depressed all the time , the family just think ,oh here she goes again and i think the doctors do,,I am very slight and swelling i have is small so they tell me how lucky I am?? wow, if the exhaustion went I think that would help to a degree,,, really now where to go!

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jp123 said on 03 June 2012

I have recently been diognosed with osteoauthritis i am 49 yrs old. I battled for 6 months to find out what was wrong with me, co uld not get a referral,and eventually i did get it . I think after reading the above comments I feel good as I know theres not just me,and the above experiences are like me at the moment. I have to say I intend to do everything i can too get myself well, and got get frustrated anymore and having the feeling off , no ones listening , infact no one does listen , thats why i control what i need. I am cheeful too.

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jp123 said on 03 June 2012

I have just been diognosed as having osteoauthritis, after a long 6 mth battle to confirm what was wrong with me. The worst thing was the battle to get the referral and i was given not enough pain relief.. I am 49 and i dont know how long i have had this , but i was in an accident last year,through no fault off my own. I am very enegetic and I have to say since november 2011 my routine off life has changed. I intend to do everything i possibly can to get my body well again,I feel let down with not being taken seriously in the begining, and it taking 6 mths to get the pain relief i needed. I cant get going in the morning at and i am desperate to keep my job, so i go to bed earlier and it makes no difference, so i have to fight it. I was quite frightened at first as i phoned my oncall GP as i could not walk, I was told to look at this website and take more pain relief. What a nightmare, but i am positive by nature so i suppose i have to carry on .

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karensomerset said on 10 May 2012

Just wanted to share my experience. I was diagnosed with osteo arthritis in my right knee at 35 and told I’d have to give up weight bearing exercise, dancing etc and ‘live with it’ until I was old enough for a knee replacement. By 48 the other knee had joined in, aggravated by a few trips and falls and walking was increasingly difficult – I couldn’t even go to the shopping mall as I couldn’t walk to the shops from the car park, let alone walk around huge shops themselves. However, I had private medical insurance through work and the time and asked my GP to refer me to a consultant…. Off I limped to the BUPA hospital to see the top man in the region – I was examined, x-rayed (with x-rays handed to me on the spot) I was told I was at the point where I was still to young for a knee replacement to outlive me, however my knees might still be rescued…… Both knees were injected with cortiszone on the spot to help me on my way for a few months and I was told I must (a) swim 30-40 lengths of the swimming pool at least 3 times a week to tighten my ligaments (b) take 1000mg of Glucosamine Sulphate a day (as it causes cartilege to regrow!), plus an Omega 3 capsule too as it wouldn’t do any harm. I was also told not to expect it to work for several months so not to give up quickly….. Within a couple of month a miracle occurred and I could walk again normally. I still have to take care of my knees and must still swim regularly or else I notice twinges; I don’t need the glucosamine any more but occasionally take it for a few months to ‘top up’ especially if I start to get a twinge, but 7 years on, apart from my knees looking swollen, they don’t pain and I am fit and mobile – the more exercise I take the better. I recommended the glucosamine to a friend with bad knees too and his wife reported he improved so much he could now cross his legs to an extent she had never seen previously !! I can’t say it will work for everyone but I recommend giving it a try.

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KazzieD said on 07 February 2012

I am 36. I was 33 when diagnosed with arthritis in my spine and more recently in my hips. I am in constant pain, even though I take loads of painkillers. I try my best to keep active, and to try to live a "normal" life. I get bad days and better days, but even the good days are painful. I am doing voluntary work a couple of days a week, but even that is difficult. It is a constant invasion of my life, the pain dictates everything I do or don’t do. I can’t make plans, as I don’t know if I’m able to get out of the house at any time. I try to keep smiling, but there are days when I just get so depressed about it all, the pain and the frustration of being unable to do the simplest of tasks.

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animan said on 15 January 2012

I am not a doctor, more of a quack, but I felt the need to say something about my own experiences in this area. This is just my experience and probably needs to be taken with a considerable pinch of salt, but here goes.
A few months back, I started to get swelling in two of the joints in my fingers and pains in my left wrist. I went to see a doctor and got some checks done and discovered that my cholesterol level was quite high. So, I cut down the cholesterol in my diet quite radically and hey presto the swellings have started to go down. One has now disappeared almost completely and all that is left is the distended skin that used to be around the swelling.

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Lis243 said on 08 January 2012

I am 41 and although suffered with joint issues since I was a teenager I have only just had confirmation that I have osteoarthritis. My consultant, who is also my surgeon, told me about six years ago that I had DJD degenerative joint disorder or some people say DBD degenerative bone disorder.
I have already had some metitarsils removed from my foot but now I am waiting for the results from a CT scan as within the next coouple of months I am due to either have my ankle fused or to have it replaced altogether.
I was just wandering if anyone knew of anyone who had the ankle replacement and what the outcome was and what the recovery time was like. I know it is a rare procedure so to be honest I not finding much info out there so if anyone knows anything please let me know.

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danielkagwa said on 09 December 2011

I am 55 and had a double meniscectomy in 1981- I’ve had "bone on bone" for many years and whilst one learns to live with it I’ve become lopsided! My mobility is restricted, the pain /swelling continuous despite taking diclofenac / anti-inflammatories (which give me stomach problems…remember Vioxx all those years ago?). I do what the physio asks as best I can but it seems this is simply a degenerative condition. It has severely limited my job options. (currently unemployed) It was suggested that I have a knee replacement years ago but told I was too young at 45, then 50,now 55-people I’ve spoken with suggest I carry on as I am as their replacements did not provide the flexibility, ease of movement they thought it would.
I’m glad I happened upon this site as I don’t feel so bad about myself.There are others in worse shape and as some of the commentators have said-just stay positive.

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ruthy9 said on 09 November 2011

Reply to- Grace56 on 28 December 2010
Only just read your message a year after you have written it . I too have suffer arthritis in hands. . . fingers and thumbs. Knuckles extremely swollen and at times hardly able to use hands due to the pain. I also suffered extreme back pain which prevented 5 years of good sleep. Each night the pain from turning in my sleep kept me awake. I started to see an alternative therapist who from my very first appointment improved my back pain and in just a few sessions over a period of a few months completely cured my back pain so please look for alternative therapies which may help you. It certainly has me. Hands are more of a problem but im positive its going to be a positive outcome.

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slrogers said on 13 June 2011

I have had and suffered with Osteoarthritus since 1991, upto this year I had a hip replacement 4years ago and an Arthroscopy 2years ago both of which have been fantastic, since then my other knee now needs to be done but becasuse my BMI is over 30 my local PCT will not allow me on the list for this procedure, the surgeon who operated on my hip when I was the same weight as I am now knows I have no problem with having an op which will only take about 1 hour or less but htey are prepared for me to have physio every week , see a dieticion and keep me on medication all of which will cost more than having the op. Do’es this make sense to a cash strapped health system

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ErinCD said on 04 June 2011

I too have osteoarthritis in my fingers and thumbs. Used to get cortisone 20 years ago. Had a trapeziectomy 7 weeks ago on right hand and will have left done in about 6 months. Received a letter from DWP today saying they’re cutting me off because I can work! I can only type with the left hand which requires surgery so not quite sure how I’m going to get a job as a secretary. The assessment letter asked me to take in all my hospital paperwork yet they never looked at it. No idea how I’m going to sort this out. How am I supposed to work with one rapidly deteriorating hand? I see the hand therapy dept every week for the hand that has been operated on and can barely manage the exercises so know I won’t be able to work with it. This is crazy, worked for 35 years and this is what happens when you try to fix a problem so you can get back to work. So unfair that those who just want help whilst undergoing surgery to lengthen their working life are treated this way, shameful.

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Lizzielady said on 27 April 2011

I have arthritis in my fingers and thumbs, a condition I have had for about 7 years. My right thumb is so painful I cannot open bottles or jars or squeeze tubes. About 5 years ago my left thumb was so painful I was referred to a rheumatologist and he gave me a cortisone injection which, whilst painful in application, did the trick. My gp refuses to refer me for my right thumb and says I should take two paracetamols 4 times a day and continue with the Voltarol I was already using 3 times a day. So much for the NHS. Voltarol costs nearly £7 a tube! I can cope with the pain, guess I have to don’t O?

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Nhhat said on 10 March 2011

I developed arthritis in my late teens following another bone condition but managed well until mid 40’s by which time I was on morphine and walking with crutches, this is when I had my first a knee replacement. Here are a few things that really help me: keeping my weight in check means less excess body weight and extra stress on the joints this makes a huge difference. Exercise is also really important, it hurts but it helps maintain the mobility and muscle strength around the joint so it’s more supported this needs to be balanced with periods of rest. Keeping mentally active and busy helps distract your thoughts from the pain.

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dianelambert said on 31 January 2011

have had osteoathritis for years. now in my 50s in my hands,feet, knees, hips, neck and spine. trouble getting up the stairs, in and out of bed, in and out of vehicles. difficulty in personal care, in constant pain, no help from gps. relying more and more on others. despite having this plus bowel disease, diabetes, leaking heart valves, tachicardic arythmia and depression, i can not get a penny in benefits. my doctors dont believe me when i say i am in pain. i feel so alienated at times.

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Grace56 said on 28 December 2010

I have had osteoarthritis in my fingers for many years, but this year my lower back has kept me awake most nights and after a day sitting typing in the office I can hardly move when I get home. The doctors basically say there is nothing they can do. I have decided to go to Pilates in the hope that this will help. I have thought about giving up work but we need the money. I was interested to see that one person has disability due to osteoarthritis and I wondered what you have to do to claim disability? It’s an awful thing to have it takes away your life really, there sre so many things you can’t do but I guess you have to push yourself which is not always easy. Lving on painkillers is not fun!

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woodbon said on 01 December 2010

I have Osteo Arthritis for quite a few years and I’m 55 now. I had to give up working as a Care Assistant for the local Counicil after several periods of sick leave, when I was treated with physio and gym referral to medcial trainers. Each time I got stronger and went back to work, but each time after a few months, the pain restricted my working. I was referred to occupaional health and they examined me about 3 times by a qualified doctor, who said I must retire.
My GP has been and is, very good and I am seeing a physio. I try to keep as cheerful as possible but the pain and the restricions that puts on my life sometimes make me very low. The benefits system also seems to be doing its best to make life very hard. They seem uninterested in the NHS doctors opinions.

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lord steven said on 21 August 2010

i started getting o/arthurist when i was 28yrs and i kept going to the doctors to halp me with the pain, I was told by the hospital that i should stop working, i was not going to stop working at that age but my doctor did say that i would have to think about it at arount my 50s anyway i carried on until i was 47yrs in all that time i was in pain 24/7 and when i gotto 47 aia said to mysalf I have now had enough i just could not do it anymore, i am now 56yrs and havent worked all that time. i have it in my spine, back,hands and feet and all i seem to be doing is trying to keep the pain at bay. i am registard disabled and have been for 12yrs now but i do find it easier not working because as soon as i start to do anything the pain just seems to start . I am on a cocktail of painkillers. But I do not let it get me down which is easier said than done because you get bad days and good days, but it does seem that I get more bad and good days but remain cheerfull.

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Useful links

NHS Choices links

External links

Life with osteoarthritis

Kathleen Smith describes life with osteoarthritis and how swimming helps with the pain

Long-term conditions

Living with a long-term condition, including healthcare, medicines and support

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NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

See what the doctor sees with Map of Medicine

The Map of Medicine is used by doctors throughout the NHS to determine the best treatment options for their patients. NHS Choices offers everyone in England exclusive and free access to this cutting-edge internet resource, which lets you see exactly what your doctor sees.

The information in the Map has been approved by the UK’s leading clinical experts, is based on the best available clinical evidence, and is continually updated. To take advantage of this unique resource go to:

Map of Medicine: osteoarthritis

 

Published Date
2014-08-28 07:28:49Z
Last Review Date
2012-08-15 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2014-08-15 00:00:00Z
Classification
Osteoarthritis




Osteoarthritis – Living with – NHS Choices































































Osteoarthritis – Living with 

Living with osteoarthritis  

With the right support, you can lead a healthy, active life with osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis doesn’t necessarily get worse and doesn’t always lead to disability.

Self-care

Self-care is an integral part of daily life. It means you take responsibility for your own health and wellbeing with support from those involved in your care. Self-care includes things you do each day to stay fit, maintain good physical and mental health, prevent illness or accidents, and effectively deal with minor ailments and long-term conditions.

People living with long-term conditions can benefit enormously if they receive support for self-care. They can live longer, have less pain, anxiety, depression and fatigue, have a better quality of life and are more active and independent.

Living healthily

A good diet and regular exercise will help keep muscles strong and control your weight, which is good for osteoarthritis and also has other health benefits.

Read more information about eating a healthy diet, health and fitness and losing weight.

Take your medication

It is important to take your medication as prescribed, even if you start to feel better. Continuous medication can sometimes help prevent pain, although if your medications have been prescribed ‘as required’, you may not need to take them in between painful episodes. If you have any questions or concerns about the medication you’re taking or any side effects you think you may be experiencing, talk to your healthcare team.

It may also be useful to read the information leaflet that comes with the medication, which will tell you about possible interactions with other drugs or supplements. Check with your healthcare team if you plan to take any over-the-counter remedies, such as painkillers, or any nutritional supplements, as these can sometimes interfere with your medication.

Regular reviews

Because osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, you’ll be in regular contact with your healthcare team. A good relationship with the team means that you can easily discuss your symptoms or concerns. The more the team knows, the more it can help you.

Vaccinations

People with long-term conditions such as osteoarthritis are often encouraged to get an annual flu jab each autumn to protect against flu.

You may also be advised to get a pneumoccocal vaccination. This is a one-off injection that protects against a serious chest infection called pneumococcal pneumonia.

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Talk to others hide

Many people find it helpful to talk to other people who are in a similar position to them. You may find support from a group or by talking individually to someone who has osteoarthrits.

Patient organisations have local groups where you can meet other people with the same condition.

The Arthritis Care helpline is open 10am to 4pm weekdays. Call free on 0808 800 4050. You can also email them at Helplines@arthritiscare.org.uk.

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Your feelings show

A diagnosis of osteoarthritis can initially be confusing and overwhelming. Like many people with a long-term health condition, those who find out they have osteoarthritis may feel anxious or depressed. But there are people you can talk to who can help, including your GP or support groups.

Want to know more?

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Work and money show

If you have severe osteoarthritis and are still working, your symptoms may interfere with your working life and may affect your ability to do your job. Arthritis Care has useful advice on how you can make simple adjustments at work to make it easier to do your job (see below).

If you have to stop work or work part time because of your arthritis, you may find it hard to cope financially. You may be entitled to one or more of the following types of financial suppor:

You may be eligible for other benefits if you have children living at home or if you have a low household income.

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Page last reviewed: 27/08/2014

Next review due: 27/08/2016

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Comments

The 4 comments posted are personal views. Any information they give has not been checked and may not be accurate.

Jakewills said on 07 March 2012

Sorry the link I wrote was wrong, this is the right link:
http://bit.ly/xtUNzH

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Jakewills said on 02 March 2012

I’ve used kneease myself for an ACL reconstruction that still gives me jip.
It helped quite a bit, I was surprised, I only bought it because it’s pretty cheap and I thought what the heck.
I use it in the morning and at night and I have no pain during the day – except after I train my legs I have to use it again to stop them aching excessively.

I bought it because of the revieq I read over here:
bit.ly/z5TZeV
might be useful

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Anniewish said on 07 August 2011

Hi Shankers, I have exactly the same problem with both my knees. I’ve been taking diclofenec and co-codomol for several years and although they take the edge off, I continually struggle with the pain. Could I please ask you for the details of the kneease pain relief you refer to as I’d like to give it a try. Thanks – Annie

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shankers said on 02 August 2011

I suffer from advanced oasteoarthritis of both knees and have struggled with anti-inflammatories for many years. The only significant pain relief I achieve is with a Kneease pain relief device which straps to my knee to block the pain.

Hopefully I can avoid surgery as I get older.

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Life with osteoarthritis

Kathleen Smith describes life with osteoarthritis and how swimming helps with the pain

Pain

What to do about different types of pain, including joint pain, back pain and migraines, and managing long-term pain

Foot health

How to keep your feet healthy, choose the right sports shoes and what to do if you have smelly feet

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NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and stiffness in your joints, which can make it difficult to move the affected joints and do certain activities.

The symptoms may come and go in episodes, which can be related to things such as your activity levels and even the weather. In more severe cases, the symptoms can be continuous.

Other symptoms you or your doctor may notice include:

  • joint tenderness
  • increased pain and stiffness when you have not moved your joints for a while
  • joints appearing slightly larger or more ‘knobbly’ than usual
  • a grating or crackling sound or sensation in your joints
  • limited range of movement in your joints
  • weakness and muscle wasting (loss of muscle bulk)

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but the most common areas affected are the knees, hips, and small joints in the hands. Often, you will only experience symptoms in one joint or a few joints at any one time.

Osteoarthritis of the knee

If you have osteoarthritis in your knees, it is likely both your knees will be affected over time, unless it has occurred as the result of an injury or another condition affecting only one knee.

Your knees may be most painful when you walk, particularly when walking up or down hills or stairs.

Sometimes, your knees may ‘give way’ beneath you or make it difficult to straighten your legs. You may also hear a soft, grating sound when you move the affected joint.

Osteoarthritis of the hip

Osteoarthritis in your hips often causes difficulty moving your hip joints. For example, you may find it difficult to put your shoes and socks on or to get in and out of a car.

You will also usually have pain in the groin or outside the hip. This will often be worse when you move the hip joints, although it can also affect you when you are resting or sleeping.

Osteoarthritis of the hand

Osteoarthritis often affects three main areas of your hand: the base of your thumb, the joints closest to your fingertips and the middle joints of your fingers.

Your fingers may become stiff, painful and swollen and you may develop bumps on your finger joints. But over time the pain may decrease and eventually disappear altogether, although the bumps and swelling can remain.

Your fingers may bend sideways slightly at your affected joints or you may develop painful cysts (fluid-filled lumps) on the backs of your fingers.

In some cases, you may also develop a bump at the base of your thumb where it joins your wrist. This can be painful and you may find it difficult to perform some manual tasks, such as writing, opening jars or turning keys.

When to seek medical advice

You should see your GP if you have persistent symptoms of osteoarthritis so they can try to identify the cause.

To help determine whether you have osteoarthritis, your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine your joints.

Read more about diagnosing osteoarthritis.

Published Date
2014-09-15 16:14:02Z
Last Review Date
2014-08-26 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-08-26 00:00:00Z
Classification
Hip,Joint pain,Knee,Osteoarthritis






NHS Choices Syndication


Osteoarthritis

Treating osteoarthritis

Lifestyle changes

Exercise

Exercise is one of the most important treatments for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness. Your physical activity should include a combination of exercises to strengthen your muscles and exercises to improve your general fitness.

If osteoarthritis causes you pain and stiffness, you may think exercise will make your symptoms worse.

But usually, regular exercise that keeps you active and mobile and builds up muscle, thereby strengthening the joints, will improve symptoms.

Exercise is also good for losing weight, improving your posture and relieving stress, all of which will ease symptoms.

Your GP, or possibly a physiotherapist, will discuss the benefits you can expect from your exercise programme and can give you an exercise plan to follow at home.

It’s important to follow this plan because there is a risk that doing too much exercise too quickly, or doing the wrong sort of exercise, may damage your joints.

Read more about health and fitness including simple ways to exercise at home.

Losing weight

Being overweight or obese often makes osteoarthritis worse as it can place some of your joints under increased strain.

To find out if you are overweight or obese, use the healthy weight calculator.

If you are overweight, try to lose weight by doing more physical activity and eating a healthier diet.

Discuss any new exercise plan with your GP or physiotherapist before you start. They can help plan a suitable exercise programme for you. Your GP and practice nurse can also advise about how to lose weight slowly and safely.

Read more information and tips on losing weight.

Want to know more?

Medication

Your doctor will talk to you about medicines which can control symptoms of osteoarthritis, including painkillers.

Sometimes a combination of therapies – medicines, exercise, assistive devices or surgery – may be needed to help control your pain.

Painkillers

The type of painkiller (analgesic) your GP may recommend for you will depend on the severity of your pain and other conditions or health problems you have. The main medications used are described below.

Paracetamol

If you have pain caused by osteoarthritis, your GP may suggest taking paracetamol to begin with. This is available over the counter in pharmacies without a prescription. It is best to take it regularly rather than waiting until your pain becomes unbearable.

However, when taking paracetamol, always follow the dosage your GP recommends and do not exceed the maximum dose stated on the pack.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

If paracetamol does not effectively control the pain of your osteoarthritis, your GP may prescribe a stronger painkiller. This may be a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID).

NSAIDs are painkillers that work by reducing inflammation. There are two types of NSAID and they work in slightly different ways:

Some NSAIDs are available as creams (topical NSAIDs) that you apply directly to the affected joints. Some topical NSAIDs are available without a prescription. They can be particularly effective if you have osteoarthritis in your knees or hands. As well as helping to ease pain, they can also help reduce any swelling in your joints.

Your doctor will discuss with you the type of NSAID you should take and the benefits and risks associated with it.

NSAID tablets may not be suitable for people with certain conditions, such as asthma, a peptic ulcer or angina, or if you have had a heart attack or stroke. If you are taking low-dose aspirin, ask your GP whether you should use an NSAID.

If your GP recommends or prescribes an NSAID to be taken by mouth, they will usually also prescribe a medicine called a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) to take at the same time. NSAIDs can break down the lining in your stomach that protects it against stomach acid. PPIs reduce the amount of acid produced by the stomach, reducing the risk of damage to your stomach lining.

COX-2 drugs have a lower risk of causing stomach problems, but still need to be used with a PPI if you take them regularly.

Opioids

Opioids, such as codeine, are another type of painkiller that may ease your pain if paracetamol does not work. Opioids can help relieve severe pain, but can also cause side effects such as drowsiness, nausea and constipation.

Codeine is found in combination with paracetamol in common preparations such as co-codamol.

Other opioids that may be prescribed for osteoarthritis include tramadol (brand names include Zamadol and Zydol), and dihydrocodeine (brand name DF 118 Forte). Both come in tablet form and as an injection.

Tramadol is not suitable if you have uncontrolled epilepsy, and dihydrocodeine is not recommended for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

If you need to take an opioid regularly, your GP may prescribe a laxative to take alongside it to prevent constipation.

Capsaicin cream

If you have osteoarthritis in your hands or knees and topical NSAIDs have not been effective in easing your pain, your GP may prescribe capsaicin cream.

Capsaicin cream works by blocking the nerves that send pain messages in the treated area. You may have to use it for a while before it has an effect. You should experience some pain relief within the first two weeks of using the cream, but it may take up to a month for the treatment to be fully effective.

Apply a pea-sized amount of capsaicin cream to your affected joints up to four times a day, but not more often than every four hours. Do not use capsaicin cream on broken or inflamed skin and always wash your hands after applying it.

Be careful not to get any capsaicin cream on delicate areas, such as your eyes, mouth, nose and genitals. Capsaicin is made from chillies, so if you get it on sensitive areas of your body, it is likely to be very painful for a few hours. However, it will not cause any damage.

You may notice a burning sensation on your skin after applying capsaicin cream. This is nothing to worry about, and the more you use it, the less it should happen. But avoid using too much cream or having a hot bath or shower before or after applying it, because it can make the burning sensation worse.

Corticosteroid injections

If your osteoarthritis is severe, treatment using painkillers may not be enough to control your pain.

In this case, you may be able to have a type of treatment where medicine is injected into the joints affected by osteoarthritis. This is known as intra-articular injection.

If you need intra-articular injections, it is likely that you will have injections of corticosteroid, a medicine that reduces swelling and pain.

If you get a prolonged response to the injection, it may be repeated. Ideally, you should have no more than three corticosteroid injections a year, with at least a three-month gap between injections.

Want to know more?

Supportive treatments

In addition to lifestyle changes and medication, you may also benefit from a number of supportive treatments that can help reduce your pain and make everyday tasks easier.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) uses a machine that sends electrical impulses through sticky patches, called electrodes, attached to the skin. This may help ease the pain caused by your osteoarthritis by numbing the nerve endings in your spinal cord which control pain.

Treatment with TENS is usually arranged by a physiotherapist, who can advise on the strength of the pulses and how long your treatment should last.

Hot or cold packs

Applying hot or cold packs (sometimes called thermotherapy or cryotherapy) to the joints can relieve the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some people. A hot-water bottle filled with either hot or cold water and applied to the affected area can be very effective in reducing pain.

Special hot and cold packs that can either be cooled in the freezer or heated in a microwave are also available, and work in a similar way.

Manual therapy

Not using your joints can cause your muscles to waste and may increase stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. Manual therapy is a treatment provided by a physiotherapist. It uses stretching techniques to keep your joints supple and flexible.

Read more about physiotherapy.

Assistive devices

If your osteoarthritis causes mobility problems or difficulty performing everyday tasks, several devices could help. Your GP may refer you to a physiotherapist or an occupational therapist for specialist help and advice.

If you have osteoarthritis in your lower limbs, such as your hips, knees or feet, your physiotherapist or occupational therapist may suggest special footwear or insoles for your shoes. Footwear with shock-absorbing soles can help relieve some of the pressure on the joints of your legs as you walk. Special insoles may help spread your weight more evenly. Leg braces and supports also work in the same way.

If you have osteoarthritis in your hip or knee that affects your mobility, you may need to use a walking aid, such as a stick or cane. Hold it on the opposite side of your body to your affected leg so that it takes some of your weight.

A splint (a piece of rigid material used to provide support to a joint or bone) can also be useful if you need to rest a painful joint. Your physiotherapist can provide you with a splint and give you advice on how to use it correctly.

If your hands are affected by osteoarthritis, you may also need assistance with hand-operated tasks, such as turning on a tap. Special devices, such as tap turners, can make performing these tasks far more manageable. Your occupational therapist can give you help and advice about using assistive devices in your home or workplace.

Want to know more?

Surgery

Surgery for osteoarthritis is only needed in a small number of cases where other treatments have not been effective or where one of your joints is severely damaged.

If you may need surgery for osteoarthritis, your GP will refer you to an orthopaedic surgeon. Having surgery for osteoarthritis may greatly improve your symptoms, mobility and quality of life. However, surgery cannot be guaranteed to get rid of your symptoms altogether, and you may still experience pain and stiffness due to your condition.

There are several different types of surgery for osteoarthritis. Some of the main types of surgery carried out are described below.

Arthroplasty

Joint replacement therapy, also known as an arthroplasty, is most commonly carried out to replace hip and knee joints.

During an arthroplasty, your surgeon will remove your affected joint and replace it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of special plastics and metal. An artificial joint can last for up to 20 years, although it may eventually need to be replaced.

There is also a newer type of joint replacement surgery called resurfacing. This uses only metal components and may be more suitable for younger patients. Your surgeon will discuss with you the type of surgery that would be best.

Read more about hip replacement and knee replacement.

Arthrodesis

If joint replacement is not suitable for you, your surgeon may suggest an operation known as an arthrodesis, which fuses your joint in a permanent position. This means that your joint will be stronger and much less painful, although you will no longer be able to move it.

Osteotomy

If you have osteoarthritis in your knees but you are not suitable for knee replacement surgery, you may be able to have an operation called an osteotomy. This involves your surgeon adding or removing a small section of bone either above or below your knee joint.

This helps realign your knee so your weight is no longer focused on the damaged part of your knee. An osteotomy can relieve your symptoms of osteoarthritis, although you may still need knee replacement surgery eventually.

Want to know more?

Complementary and alternative therapies

Some people with osteoarthritis try complementary or alternative therapies – such as acupuncture and aromatherapy – and find them helpful, although there is often a lack of medical evidence to suggest they are effective and they generally aren’t recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Nutritional supplements

A number of nutritional supplements have also been used to treat osteoarthritis in the past, including chondroitin and glucosamine.

Glucosamine hydrochloride has not been shown to have any beneficial effects, but there is evidence that glucosamine sulphate and chondroitin sulphate may help symptoms to a small degree and do not cause many side effects. However, these supplements can be expensive and NICE recommends that they shouldn’t routinely be offered on the NHS. 

Rubefacients

Rubefacients are available as gels and creams that produce a warm, reddening effect on your skin when you rub them in. Several rubefacients have been used to treat joint pain caused by osteoarthritis.

However, research has shown that rubefacients have little effect in improving the symptoms of osteoarthritis and NICE therefore does not recommend their use.

Want to know more?

Good osteoarthritis care

The Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance (ARMA) has developed a set of standards for good osteoarthritis care (PDF, 381kb).

These are designed to help people of all ages with osteoarthritis lead independent lives and to be as healthy as possible. They recommend everyone should have access to:

  • information, support and knowledge to improve bone and muscle health and enable them to manage their own condition
  • the right services that enable early diagnosis and treatment
  • ongoing and responsive treatment and support

NICE has also produced guidance for the management of osteoarthritis.

Want to know more?

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Published Date
2014-09-15 16:14:50Z
Last Review Date
2014-08-26 00:00:00Z
Next Review Date
2016-08-26 00:00:00Z
Classification
Aches, pains and soreness,Anti-rheumatic drugs,Arthritis,Arthritis Care,Getting active,Healthy eating,Hip,Joint pain,Joint replacements,Joint surgery,Joints,Knee,Knee replacement,National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence,NSAIDs,Opioids,Osteoarthritis,Painkillers,Paracetamol,Rheumatoid arthritis,TENS,Thermotherapy,Weight loss,Weight management


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