At Home with Dr Christian Jessen - 372

| ORTHOPAEDICS|
may give way when you put your
weight on it. You may also notice
swelling, and a grinding or
crunching noise when you move,
which is known as 'crepitus'.
Symptoms are sometimes worse
during damp or cold weather, or
when you've been more active.
If you think you may have
osteoarthritis, see your GP. There's
no particular test for the condition,
but your doctor will be able to
diagnose you through examining
your joints and movements, and
asking questions about your
symptoms and medical history.
He may suggest an X-ray. This
will show up where the space
between the bones in a joint is
reduced due to loss of cartilage.
An X-ray can also reveal extra
growth or thickening of the bone,
and calcification of the cartilage
(more commonly in the knee).

'THE FIRST SYMPTOMS
ARE USUALLY STIFFNESS
AND PAIN IN THE JOINT,
WHICH GETS WORSE
WHEN YOU MOVE'

H OW IS IT TR EATED ?

There's no cure for osteoarthritis,
but there are a number of treatments
that can ease symptoms. In milder
cases, over-the-counter painkillers
such as paracetamol can help.
If the pain is more severe, your
doctor may prescribe stronger
painkillers, such as non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
or opioids. (You may also be offered
different medicines to protect
against the potential side-effects of
these strong painkillers.)
Anti-inflammatory creams and
gels, such as ibuprofen gel, can also
help when rubbed directly into the
joint. Your doctor may also offer you
capsaicin cream (made from pepper
plants) which can be particularly
helpful for the hands and knees.
If you're having problems with
a particular painful, swollen joint,
you may benefit from a steroid
injection directly into the joint. This
can be done every few months, and
helps to ease pain and inflammation.
Some people find a transcutaneous
electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)
machine helpful for pain relief. This
device interrupts signals passing
through the nerves to the brain.
In severe cases, surgery is an option
(see What about surgery? on pg 62).

S E LF- H E LP
ME AS U RES

Changes to your lifestyle can
help to make your osteoarthritis
manageable, and make life more
enjoyable. Most of these revolve

around reducing the stress on
affected joints, and slowing down
the progress of the condition.
*Maintain a healthy weight:
Being overweight puts extra stress
on your joints, increasing pain
and inflammation. Lose weight if
you need to, and watch your diet
to stay in the healthy weight range
*Exercise regularly: This helps to
keep your joints supple and reduce
pain. Research shows that people
with osteoarthritis who exercise
regularly are less likely to need a
joint replacement further down the
line. However, avoid types of
exercise that put a lot of strain on
your joints, such as running.
Swimming is ideal because the water
supports your weight. If you're
unsure, ask your GP to refer you to
a physiotherapist for a personalised
exercise programme. Aim to do at
least 30 minutes, five times a week
*Use aids to keep you
comfortable: If the joints affected
are in the lower part of your body,
cushioned shoes will help to reduce
the jarring of the joints, and a
walking stick can take some of
the weight. Braces and supports
may also help. Wrist splints and
compression gloves can help ease
your hands from holding a stick
*Massage: Rubbing the muscles
around the joint can gently help
to ease the pain
*Use heat pads or ice packs:
These can help to relieve pain
- experiment with each to see
what works best for you
For more help on tackling and
living with arthritis, visit www.
arthritiscare.org.uk or visit
www.arthritisresearchuk.org

AD APT Y O U R
EN V IRON M E N T

Can complementary
treatments help?
Many people find taking fish oils, such as cod liver
oil, help to ease stiffness and pain. Glucosamine
and chondroitin are also popular supplements for
osteoarthritis, but the evidence for their effectiveness is
patchy. Some sufferers find herbal remedies such as
devil's claw, turmeric and willow bark effective for
reducing pain. Check with your doctor first to make
sure it doesn't conflict with any medications you're
taking, and consult a qualified medical herbalist.

If you struggle to get around the
house, adaptations such as a stairlift,
raised toilet seat and electronic
chair that stands you up can
make life more manageable. An
occupational therapist or social
worker may be able to assess you
and arrange for some of these aids
to be provided free of charge.
There are also gadgets available
that make it easier to do everyday
tasks, such as turning on taps and
opening cans of produce.
And you can have your car
adapted to make it easier and
more comfortable to drive, such
as adding extra side mirrors and
a padded steering wheel.
www.athomemagazine.co.uk MARCH 2015 | 63

62-63 Osteoarthritis FINAL.indd 63

23/01/2015 18:12
http://arthritiscare.org.uk http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk
At Home with Dr Christian Jessen

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