{"id":18142,"date":"2018-03-05T14:52:19","date_gmt":"2018-03-05T12:52:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/%ce%bf%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b5%ce%bf%ce%b1%cf%81%ce%b8%cf%81%ce%af%cf%84%ce%b9%ce%b4%ce%b1\/"},"modified":"2018-03-05T15:05:06","modified_gmt":"2018-03-05T13:05:06","slug":"%ce%bf%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b5%ce%bf%ce%b1%cf%81%ce%b8%cf%81%ce%af%cf%84%ce%b9%ce%b4%ce%b1","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/%ce%bf%cf%83%cf%84%ce%b5%ce%bf%ce%b1%cf%81%ce%b8%cf%81%ce%af%cf%84%ce%b9%ce%b4%ce%b1\/","title":{"rendered":"\u039fsteoarthritis"},"content":{"rendered":"

What is osteoarthritis?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects your joints, causing pain and stiffness. It\u2019s by far the most common form of joint disease, affecting people all over the world. It\u2019s sometimes called degenerative joint disease.<\/p>\n

How does a normal joint work?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A joint is where 2 or more bones meet. The joint lets your bones move freely but within limits.
\nWhat happens to a joint with osteoarthritis?<\/p>\n

When your joint has osteoarthritis its surfaces become damaged and it doesn\u2019t move as well as it should do. The following happens:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The cartilage becomes rough and thin.<\/li>\n
  • The bone at the edge of the joint grows outwards, forming bony spurs called osteophytes.<\/li>\n
  • The synovium may swell and produce extra fluid, causing the joint to swell.<\/li>\n
  • The capsule and ligaments slowly thicken and contract.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    In severe osteoarthritis the cartilage can become so thin that your bones start to rub against each other and wear away. The loss of cartilage, the wearing of bone and the osteophytes can alter the shape of your joint, forcing the bones out of their normal position.<\/p>\n

    What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Symptoms can include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

      \n
    • pain<\/li>\n
    • stiffness<\/li>\n
    • a grating or grinding sensation (crepitus) when you move the joint<\/li>\n
    • soft or hard swellings<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are:<\/strong><\/p>\n

        \n
      • pain (particularly when you\u2019re moving the joint or at the end of the day)<\/li>\n
      • stiffness (especially after rest \u2013 this usually eases after a minute or so as you get moving)<\/li>\n
      • crepitus, a creaking, crunching, grinding sensation when you move the joint<\/li>\n
      • hard swellings (caused by osteophytes)<\/li>\n
      • soft swellings (caused by extra fluid in the joint)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        Other symptoms can include:<\/strong><\/p>\n

          \n
        • the joint giving way because your muscles have become weak or the joint structure is less stable<\/li>\n
        • the joint not moving as freely or as far as normal<\/li>\n
        • the muscles around your joint looking thin or wasted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          Symptoms can change for no obvious reason. Some people find that changes in the weather (especially damp weather and low pressure) make the pain worse. Others find the pain varies depending on how active they\u2019ve been.<\/p>\n

          What causes osteoarthritis?<\/strong><\/p>\n

          Almost anyone can get osteoarthritis but you\u2019re at a greater risk if:<\/p>\n

            \n
          • you\u2019re in your late 40s or older<\/li>\n
          • you\u2019re overweight<\/li>\n
          • you are a woman<\/li>\n
          • your parents had it<\/li>\n
          • you\u2019ve had a previous joint injury<\/li>\n
          • your joints have been damaged by another disease (e.g. gout or rheumatoid arthritis).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

            Many factors can increase the risk of osteoarthritis. It\u2019s most common if:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

              \n
            • you\u2019re in your late 40s or older.\u00a0This might be because your muscles have become weaker, your body is less able to heal itself or your joints have gradually worn out over time.<\/li>\n
            • you\u2019re a woman.\u00a0Osteoarthritis is more common and more severe in women, especially osteoarthritis of the hands and knees.<\/li>\n
            • you\u2019re overweight.\u00a0This increases the chances of developing osteoarthritis, particularly of the knee, and of it becoming progressively worse.<\/li>\n
            • your parents have had osteoarthritis.\u00a0Nodal osteoarthritis, which affects the hands of middle-aged women, runs strongly in families. Some rare forms of osteoarthritis that start at an early age are linked with genes that affect collagen, a vital part of cartilage. Genetic factors play a smaller but significant part in osteoarthritis of the hip and knee.<\/li>\n
            • you\u2019ve had a previous joint injury\n
                \n
              • a major injury or operation on a joint may lead to osteoarthritis in that joint<\/li>\n
              • hard, repetitive activity or a physically demanding job can increase the risk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
              • you were born with or have developed a joint abnormality.\u00a0This can lead to more severe osteoarthritis, which can develop at an earlier age than normal<\/li>\n
              • you have another type of joint disease.\u00a0Osteoarthritis can develop as a result of damage from a different kind of joint disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                \"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

                Which joints are affected?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

                Osteoarthritis can affect any joint, but it most commonly affects the following:<\/p>\n

                  \n
                • knees<\/li>\n
                • hips<\/li>\n
                • neck and back<\/li>\n
                • base of the big toe<\/li>\n
                • hands<\/li>\n
                • shoulders<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                  Osteoarthritis of the knee<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                  What happens?<\/strong>
                  \nThe knees are one of the joints that are most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. This is probably because they have to withstand extreme stresses, twists and turns. Osteoarthritis can affect the main surfaces of your knee joint and the cartilage under your kneecap (patella).<\/p>\n

                  It usually affects both knees, and you\u2019re most likely to feel pain at the front and sides of your knees.
                  \nYour knees may become bent and bowed if you have severe osteoarthritis. Your knee joint may become unstable and give way when you put weight on it. This is usually because of muscle weakness or damage to the ligaments.<\/p>\n

                  Who gets it?<\/strong>
                  \nYou\u2019re most likely to develop osteoarthritis in your knee if:<\/p>\n

                    \n
                  • you\u2019re a woman \u2013 women are twice as likely as men to develop osteoarthritis of the knee<\/li>\n
                  • you\u2019re in your late 50s or older<\/li>\n
                  • you\u2019re overweight<\/li>\n
                  • you have nodal osteoarthritis (particularly if you\u2019re a woman)<\/li>\n
                  • you had a previous sporting injury (such as a torn meniscus or ligaments)<\/li>\n
                  • you\u2019ve had an operation to remove torn cartilage (a meniscectomy)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                    Osteoarthritis of the hip<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                    What happens?<\/strong>
                    \nOsteoarthritis of the hip is very common and can affect one or both hips. You\u2019re most likely to feel pain deep at the front of your groin, but you may also feel it at the side and front of your thigh, in your buttock or down to your knee. This is called radiated pain. You may find the affected leg seems a little shorter than the other because of the bone on either side of your hip being crunched up if you have severe osteoarthritis.<\/p>\n

                    Who gets it?<\/strong>
                    \nYou\u2019re most likely to develop osteoarthritis of the hip if:<\/p>\n

                      \n
                    • you\u2019re in your late 40s or older<\/li>\n
                    • you had hip problems at birth or in childhood (for example congenital dislocation or Perthes\u2019 disease)<\/li>\n
                    • you\u2019ve had a physically demanding job (for example farming)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      Sometimes there\u2019s no obvious cause. Men and women are equally as likely to develop osteoarthritis of the hip. People of Chinese and Afro-Caribbean origin rarely get it, though we don\u2019t know why.<\/p>\n

                      Osteoarthritis of the hands<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                      What happens?<\/strong>
                      \nOsteoarthritis of the hands usually happens as part of nodal osteoarthritis. It most often affects the base of your thumb and the joints at the ends of your fingers. Other finger joints can also be affected. The joints become red, swollen and tender, especially when the condition first appears. Firm knobbly swellings form on the back of the end joints of your fingers over several years. These are called Heberden\u2019s nodes. The pain and tenderness often improve once these are fully formed. Your fingers usually function well even though they\u2019re knobbly and sometimes slightly bent. The joint at the base of your thumb may continue to be a problem.<\/p>\n

                      Who gets it?<\/strong>
                      \nYou\u2019re more likely to develop it if:<\/p>\n

                        \n
                      • you\u2019re a woman<\/li>\n
                      • you\u2019re in your 40s or 50s (around the time of the menopause)<\/li>\n
                      • your parents (especially your mother) had it \u2013 nodal osteoarthritis has a stronger genetic influence than other forms of osteoarthritis<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                        You\u2019re more likely to develop osteoarthritis of the knee and occasionally a few other joints if you have nodal osteoarthritis in middle age.<\/p>\n

                        Osteoarthritis of the neck and back<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                        What happens?<\/strong>
                        \nOsteoarthritis of the neck and back is very common. It\u2019s often called spondylosis. It\u2019s not the most frequent cause of back or neck pain and often doesn\u2019t cause any problems.<\/p>\n

                        Osteoarthritis of the foot<\/strong>\"\"<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                        What happens<\/strong>?
                        \nOsteoarthritis of the foot usually affects the base of your big toe. Your toe may:<\/p>\n

                          \n
                        • become stiff (hallux rigidus), which can make it difficult and painful to walk<\/li>\n
                        • become bent (hallux valgus), which can lead to painful bunions<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                          Osteoarthritis of the shoulder<\/strong><\/h3>\n

                          What happens?<\/strong>
                          \nOsteoarthritis of the shoulder is quite rare but it can sometimes follow a previous injury or abnormal stresses. It can occur in the shoulder itself (the glenohumeral joint) or between your collarbone and shoulder (the acromioclavicular joint). It can cause pain and reduce mobility.<\/p>\n

                          How is osteoarthritis diagnosed?<\/strong>
                          \nYour doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and an examination. X-rays are the most useful tests to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, although they won\u2019t often be needed.<\/p>\n

                          Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms and an examination. During the examination, they will check for:<\/p>\n

                            \n
                          • tenderness over the joint<\/li>\n
                          • creaking and grating of the joint (crepitus)<\/li>\n
                          • bony swelling<\/li>\n
                          • excess fluid<\/li>\n
                          • restricted movement<\/li>\n
                          • instability in the joint<\/li>\n
                          • thinning of the muscles that support the joint<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                            What tests are there?<\/strong>
                            \nX-rays are the most useful tests to confirm a diagnosis of osteoarthritis, although they won\u2019t often be needed. X-rays may show changes such as osteophytes or narrowing of the space between bones. They\u2019ll also show any calcium deposits within your joint.<\/p>\n

                            X-rays aren\u2019t a good indicator of how much pain or disability you\u2019re likely to have \u2013 some people have a lot of pain from minor joint damage but others have little pain from severe damage.<\/p>\n

                            There\u2019s no blood test for osteoarthritis but they can be used to rule out other conditions.<\/p>\n

                            What treatments are there for osteoarthritis?<\/strong>
                            \nYour treatment will vary depending on how severe your pain is. You may find that a combination of over-the-counter painkillers and self-help methods are all you need, but if your pain is severe your doctor may suggest the following treatment:<\/p>\n

                              \n
                            • capsaicin cream<\/li>\n
                            • stronger painkillers (e.g. tramadol) for more intense pain<\/li>\n
                            • cortisone injections into the painful joint<\/li>\n
                            • transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)<\/li>\n
                            • surgery, including joint replacement<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                              There\u2019s no cure for osteoarthritis as yet, but there are a number of treatments that can help ease symptoms and reduce the chances of your arthritis becoming worse.<\/p>\n

                              Tablets and creams<\/strong>
                              \nPainkillers (analgesics) help with pain and stiffness but they don\u2019t affect the arthritis itself and won\u2019t repair the damage to your joint.<\/p>\n

                                \n
                              • They\u2019re best used occasionally when you\u2019re in pain or when you\u2019re likely to be exercising.<\/li>\n
                              • Paracetamol (Depon or Panadol) is usually the best and most well-tolerated painkiller, but make sure you take the right dose because many people take too little \u2013 try 1 gram (usually 2 tablets) 3 or 4 times a day.<\/li>\n
                              • Combined painkillers (e.g. co-codamol, co-dydramol) contain paracetamol and a second codeine-like drug, so they may be helpful for more severe pain. Because they\u2019re stronger than painkillers, they\u2019re more likely to cause side-effects, such as dizziness and constipation.<\/li>\n
                              • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), for example ibuprofen or naproxen, may be recommended if inflammation in a joint is contributing to your pain and stiffness.<\/li>\n
                              • NSAIDs can sometimes have side-effects, but your doctor will take precautions to reduce the risk of these. They may suggest the lowest effective dose for the shortest possible time and prescribe another drug called a proton pump inhibitor to help protect your stomach from digestive problems.<\/li>\n
                              • NSAIDs also carry a slightly increased risk of a heart attack or stroke, so your doctor will be cautious about prescribing them if there are other factors that increase your overall risk (e.g. you smoke, have circulation problems or diabetes or have high blood pressure or cholesterol).<\/li>\n
                              • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory creams and gels are a good option if you have trouble taking NSAID tablets. They\u2019re particularly helpful for osteoarthritis of the knee or hand but not for deep joints like the hip.<\/li>\n
                              • NSAID creams and gels can be applied directly onto painful joints 3 times a day and there\u2019s no need to rub them in \u2013 they absorb through your skin on their own.<\/li>\n
                              • They\u2019re extremely well tolerated because very little is absorbed into your bloodstream.<\/li>\n
                              • You can tell within a few days whether they\u2019ll help with your pain.<\/li>\n
                              • Capsaicin cream is made from the pepper plant (capsicum) and is an effective and well-tolerated painkiller. It\u2019s particularly useful for osteoarthritis of the hand and knee.<\/li>\n
                              • Capsaicin cream is only available on prescription and needs to be applied 3 times a day.<\/li>\n
                              • Most people feel a warming or burning sensation when they first use it, but this generally wears off after several days.<\/li>\n
                              • The pain relief starts after a few days and you should try it for at least 2 weeks before deciding if it\u2019s helped.<\/li>\n
                              • Stronger painkillers, for example opioids\/anti-inflammatories, may be prescribed if you have severe pain and other medications don\u2019t work well enough.<\/li>\n
                              • Stronger painkillers are more likely to have side-effects, especially nausea, dizziness and confusion, so you\u2019ll need to see your doctor regularly and report any problems.<\/li>\n
                              • Some opioids can be given as a plaster patch to wear on your skin, which can give pain relief for a number of days.<\/li>\n
                              • Stronger painkillers are only available on prescription.<\/li>\n
                              • Because these treatments work in different ways, you can combine them for greater pain relief. Ask your chemist or doctor for advice on safe combinations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                Other treatments<\/strong>
                                \nApplying warmth or cold to your affected joint can relieve pain and stiffness.<\/p>\n

                                  \n
                                • Heat lamps are popular, but a hot-water bottle or reheatable pad (available from most chemists) are just as effective.<\/li>\n
                                • An ice pack can also ease pain.<\/li>\n
                                • Don\u2019t apply a hot or cold pad directly onto the skin.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                  Cortisone injections are sometimes given directly into a particularly painful joint. The injections can start working within a day or so and may improve pain for several weeks or months, especially in a knee or thumb.
                                  \nTranscutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) can be used for pain relief, although research evidence suggests that it doesn\u2019t work for everyone. A TENS machine is a small electronic device that sends pulses to the nerve endings via pads placed on the skin. The device produces a tingling sensation which is thought to modify the pain messages sent to the brain. TENS machines are applied by physiotherapists.
                                  \nSurgery (including joint replacement) may be recommended if you have severe pain that do not subside with other treatments or mobility problems.<\/p>\n

                                    \n
                                  • Joint replacements can give substantial pain relief in cases where other treatments haven\u2019t given enough help.<\/li>\n
                                  • If your knee locks an operation to wash out loose fragments of bone and other tissue from the joint can be done \u2013 this is called arthroscopic lavage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                     <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

                                    What is osteoarthritis? Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects your joints, causing pain and stiffness. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-18142","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18142","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=18142"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/18142\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.hygeia.gr\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=18142"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}