Osteoarthritis: Causes and Treatments

This assignment delves into the complex world of osteoarthritis (OA), a prevalent joint disease. It examines various contributing factors to OA development, including cartilage damage, inflammation, genetics, and age. The document analyzes pain mechanisms associated with OA and explores diverse treatment approaches, ranging from conservative measures like physical therapy and medication to advanced therapies such as stem cell injections. It also highlights the importance of standardized definitions and ongoing research in advancing our understanding and management of OA.

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Describe how the pathological changes in Osteoarthritis relate to the clinical
manifestations of the Disorder
Osteoarthritis (OA is characterized as a type of arthritis that majorly affect the joint
tissues of the body and at times causes the swelling on those areas. The most affected joints are
knee, finger, neck, and waist. It is observed to be the primary cause of disability among the aged
people. The high prevalence of OA is most common among the obese people. Therefore, it is
ideal to understand the pathophysiology of OA to identify some of the mechanism such as
treatment to decrease the sensitivity of the condition. Nevertheless, it is imperative to underscore
that the disease may affect any joint tissue in the body and thus it is not primarily targeting only
a particular section of the body. There are pathological changes that are observed in the OA
showing some significant variations in the early stages of it. The emerging of magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) has significantly aided in the pathophysiology of OA and the detection
of joint tissues condition. Some researchers reveal that subchondral bone is crucial in OA and
thereby it is present during the remodeling of the bone. From the surgical specimens, it is evident
that a person with OA exhibits some form of attrition in the subchondral bone that is flattening
and does not have the direct relation with the fracture (Blaker, Zaki, Clarke & Little). The MRI
indicates some notable changes in the subchondral bone such as increment in volume and its
thickness and thus weakening the minerals in those areas as compared to the healthy bone.
There is increased the force of transmission through the joints that are caused by dissipation
energy around the subchondral. It is incumbent to note that some animal models are used in
demonstrating the cartilage lesion in respect to subchondral bone damage (Shirley & Hunter).
Further research indicates that the pain in the human joint is commensurate to the increasing turn
over in the subchondral bone.

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Causes of OA
There are numerous reasons for OA. However, the notable ones are abnormal joint
development, joint injury and inherited factors. Virtually, those who are at greater risk are the
obese people, and thereby caution has to be taken in advance to protect this group from any form
of the problematic condition. The causative of OA is the mechanical stress around the joint and
thus leading to lower inflammatory processes (Yamamoto, Takahashi & Shinomura). Pain within
the joint makes it difficult to exercise that part affected and thereby causing muscle loss in the
indicated location of the body. The diagnosis of this squarely lies on the MRI and other relevant
medical tests centering on the OA. Unlike rheumatoid arthritis, the OA joint hardly becomes red
hot.
Treatment
The treatment for OA ranges from one individual to another, however, the ideal way is
exercising in the bid to reduce joint stress and thus becoming the best therapy for recovery
(Robinson, Lepus, Wang, Raghu, Mao, Lindstrom & Sokolove). Moreover, weight loss may
ideal for those who are overweight as it decreases the joint stress. Some other interventions such
as the use of medication may be ideal to relieve the pain around the joint. The treatment may
involve the use of paracetamols such as ibuprofen and naproxen; however continual use of
opioid may result in adverse effects to the patient and therefore recommended that it ought to be
taken with caution. The signs and symptoms of OA are aches on the joint and its stiffness
especially during morning and may last for 30 minutes. Through the plain radiography, the joints
may be observed to have spaces around the joints and the subchondral bones. (Harman, Carlson,
Gaynor, Gustafson, Dhupa, Clement, Hoelzler, McCarthy, Schwartz & Adams). The morbidity

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rate of OA among the aged is very high as compared to other groups and thus is considered
chronic disease especially to the aging population.
Diagnosis and Epidemiological features
The epidemiological features squarely depend on the radiographic findings, clinical
symptoms and above all physical findings. However, it is ideal to note that one experience
clinical disease yet fails to have radiographic OA on the same. The estimation of radiographic
tests of OA stands at 80% at the age of 65 and 60% revealing the clinical OA. More studies
indicate that 40% of women and 33% of men aged 70-74 years exhibit the x rays features and the
clinical one (Glyn-Jones, Palmer, Agricola, Price, Vincent, Weinans, and Carr). The incidences
of OA among the patient with knee issues stands at 40% whereas the ones who are obese are at
66%. The OA may damage other parts of joints if the immediate action is not taken at the right
time. Lack of proteoglycans due to the damages caused by the said tissue may result in loss of
protection on those particular muscles and thus rendering such parts susceptible to more injuries
(Jarraya, Roemer, Englund, Crema, Hayashi & Guermazi). It was earlier mentioned that the
ligaments of the joining part become thickened and thus making the section to be worn out and
thus resulting in its damage.
Management
For the case of obese people, it would be ideal to exercise well in the bid of losing weight
as this has proved to play a significant role in the recovery process of the patient. Moreover,
patient education is ideal for such case as the patient is made aware of some of the approaches
that they have to develop with the aim of aiding them to recuperate well entirely. According to
Kraus, Blanco, Englund, Karsdal, and Lohmander, changing of lifestyle has resulted in great
improvement among the patients with OA of different types. This mostly occurs among the

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patients with hip OA. Similarly, physical therapies have been instrumental in the whole process
of recuperation and thus recommended for the patients with OA. In relieving of pain, heat is
ideal for relaxing the muscles and stiffness in the joint. On the same breath, aerobics are also
recommended as they reduce severe pain in the affected joint and further improves one’s
physical orientation (Laslett, Pelletier, Cicuttini, Jones & Martel-Pelletier). For the one with knee
osteoarthritis, the use of knee braces may aid them to some extent and thus also recommended
for this matter.
Medication
The recommended medication in treating osteoarthritis is acetaminophen. Opioids
channeled through mouth are prescribed as they are considered as weak opioids thus have no
adverse effect on the patients taking them (Schiffman Ohrbach, Truelove, Look, Anderson,
Goulet, List, and Svensson). The glucocorticoids injection on the joints has shown to be very
reliable and efficient in the relieving of the pain having no signs of adverse effect to the patient
(Banaszkiewicz). On the part of the surgery, evidence shows that joint replacement is ideal and
clinically accepted for both hip and knee. The transfer of cartilage from one area to the affected
area is possible and has proved to play a very significant role in the recuperation process of the
patients. However, the medics are strongly against the arthroscopic surgery as it did not
demonstrate to be very sufficient.
Risk factors of OA
Different studies and research indicate that there are greater incidences of OA among
women than men. The risks increase at menopause due to hormonal factor and as such may thus
affect the pattern of hormone in the body. Nevertheless, some health factors ought to be put into
consideration when deciding on the replacement of the cartilage (Dimitroulas Duarte, Behura

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Kitas & Raphael). Physical exercises are ideal for relaxation of the stiffness and the pain,
nonetheless; it ought to be carried out with caution in order not to cause more stress on the part
that had been damaged.
Conclusion
Osteoarthritis affecting the knee and hip are common and increases among the aging
population. The OA that centers on overweight may result in significant risk such as disability to
that particular patient. It is for this reason that the patient is advised to seek medical aid early
before the situation worsens for that matter. It for this reason that one ought to fully understand
the pathophysiology of OA to know how to deal with the issue earlier before the situation is
unbearable (Leijon, Ley, Corin & Ley) OA treatments are aimed at relieving pain through the
relaxation of the damaged area. It has been observed that exercise has to be performed with
caution so as not cause more damage to the affected joint. Notably, few minutes of relaxation is
Important, especially if activity supports it, but it should not be more intense. Therefore,
modification of activities is recommended to suit the need intended. Conclusively, OA was
initially classified as secondary or primary. However, this classification has taken a more
advanced approach where every constituent joint is identified.

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