#HEALTH: OA
Early signs include joint stiffness, pain, swelling and difficulty moving the joint, says Singapore General Hospital's Department of Orthopaedic Surgery senior consultant Dr Lee Kong Hwee.
These symptoms should not be ignored as they can progress and lead to permanent damage.
While OA generally affects the elderly, young people may also suffer from the condition, especially if they have had a significant injury to the joint.
"Unfortunately, OA is irreversible, with symptoms worsening over time. It can develop into a chronic pain that gets in the way of everyday life," says Dr Lee.
Women have a higher rate of the condition with prevalence increasing sharply after age 50.
While OA can affect any joint, it occurs more commonly at the knees, hips, spine and hands, explains Dr Lee, adding that the first symptom is a recurring pain in the affected joint (or joints) or muscles around the joint.
In advanced cases, it may cause an increased secretion of joint fluid, which tends to accumulate around the joint area. This can lead to mild swelling of the joint.
In Malaysia, there is an increasing prevalence of the condition with an estimated 10 to 20 per cent of the adult population affected.
PREVENTION AND TREATMENT
A person can reduce their risk of developing OA by maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in moderate exercise, and eating a healthy and nutritious diet. Early diagnosis and treatment can also prevent further joint damage and deformity.
Although there is currently no known cure for OA, treatment alleviates symptoms and helps patients regain lost muscle strength or replace the affected areas.
"Treatment is dependent on the severity of the disease as well as the patient's lifestyle expectations," says Dr Lee.
Early treatment through lifestyle modifications, medication and non-surgical methods can slow the progress of OA, and help patients manage their symptoms for a better quality of life.
Medications can be used to treat the symptoms of OA, while physiotherapy is needed to build strength in the surrounding muscles so they can hold up the joint better, lessening stress and strain that is exerted on the joint. Recommended exercises include walking, swimming or cycling.
However, in advanced cases, surgery may be required to remove bone fragments, realign the joints or replace the joint with an artificial part. Left untreated, advanced OA can result in deformity and disability.
OA - Causes and Risk Factors
• Increased age and "wear and tear" of the joints.
• Gender — women are more at risk, especially after menopause.
• Conditions that put abnormal stress on the joints, including obesity.
• Abnormally shaped hip and knees
• Repeated stress to the joint, especially in the case of sportsmen.
• Hereditary, especially OA of the hand.
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