In this article, we’re going to be discussing Arthritis from the physiotherapy point of view. Most people think of arthritis as a condition that strikes older people, but different types of arthritis affect people of all ages.
Arthritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the joints and can affect anyone from young children to adults. It is typically characterized by joint pain and stiffness that make movement painful and difficult, though newer treatment options have helped many patients deal more effectively with symptoms. Joint health can often be improved with exercise, medication, and the right lifestyle habits.
Arthritis can be divided into three main categories. These include:
- Osteoarthritis : Also called degenerative joint disease, this is the most frequently diagnosed form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage inside a joint disintegrates. This form of arthritis most commonly affects the knees, hips, low back, neck, and hands, and most often occurs after the age of 40.
- Rheumatoid arthritis :This type of arthritis occurs when the lining inside joints becomes inflamed and irritated, causing joint damage and pain. It most often occurs in small joints in the wrists, fingers, and hands. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that usually strikes between the ages of 30 and 50. Women are most often affected, though children may also develop Rheumatoid arthritis.
- Juvenile arthritis :This includes any type of arthritis that strikes children younger than age 18. What causes arthritis to develop at such an early age is unknown, but it occurs more often in girls than boys. Juvenile Arthritis typically strikes the ankles, knees, and wrists, and may also affect the hips, neck, jaw, and shoulders. There are many types of juvenile arthritis, the most common being juvenile rheumatoid arthritis . There are three specific forms or juvenile rheumatoid arthritis: polyarticular (many joints) JRA, pauciarticular (four or fewer joints), and systemic onset (affecting the whole body).
TREATMENT
In earlier times, Arthritis used to be treated with just aspirin, heat therapy, and splints — binding or bandaging a painful joint to “protect” it. These mode of has been found to cause more harm than good.
Now, osteoarthritis is treated with a combination of exercise, physical therapy, medications, joint injections, and weight loss. Research has shown a link between obesity and arthritis .It is advisable in managing osteoarthritis to lose weight and lessen the strain on the joints that are supporting all that extra weight, such as knees and hips.
Goals of physical therapy in arthritis include improving the mobility and restoring the use of affected joints, increasing strength to support the joints, and maintaining fitness and the ability to perform daily activities.
WHAT A PHYSIOTHERAPIST CAN DO FOR YOU.
Develop an individualized plan of exercises to improve flexibility, strength, coordination and balance to achieve optimal physical function.
•Teach you proper posture and body mechanics for common daily activities to relieve pain and improve function.
•Show you how to properly use assistive devices such as walkers and canes.
•Recommend different treatment options, such as braces and splints to support joints, shoe inserts to relieve stress on the lower extremities, and hot and cold therapy to ease joint pain and stiffness.
•Suggest modifications to your environment, such as ergonomic chairs or a cushioned mat in your kitchen, to relieve pain and improve function.
Other methods of treating Arthritis include:
- Nutritional supplements. Some people take glucosamine and chondroitin for OA. Studies on how well they work have had mixed results. Another supplement, called SAMe, has been shown to work as well as nonprescription pain relievers and may have fewer side effects.These treatment options may provide enough relief to keep you moving comfortably. If they don’t, they become less effective over time, or you can’t tolerate them, your doctor may suggest considering surgery.
- Another way of managing arthritis is the knee replacement surgery. Knee replacement surgery involves cutting away the arthritic bone and inserting a prosthetic joint. All of the arthritic surfaces are replaced, including the femur, tibia, and patella. The arthritic surfaces are removed, and the ends of the bone are replaced with the prosthesis, like capping a tooth.
- Arthroscopy (also called arthroscopic surgery) is a minimally invasive surgical procedure on a joint in which an examination and sometimes treatment of damage is performed using an arthroscope, an endoscope that is inserted into the joint through a small incision.
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This article is intended for educational purposes only.
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