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Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis characteristic symptoms
Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by degenerative changes in the joints. Symptoms mainly include swelling, pain, effusion, and limited mobility in the joints. In severe cases, it can even lead to joint deformities and impair joint mobility. Treatment for arthritis can be divided into non-surgical and surgical methods. The choice of treatment should be based on a comprehensive consideration of symptoms, the extent of the condition's progression, and imaging studies. Initially, conservative treatment methods can be employed. Patients with arthritis should rest and avoid vigorous activities. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers, cartilage nutrition drugs, and heat therapy can be used to alleviate symptoms. If conservative treatments are ineffective and there are deformities and mobility issues, joint replacement surgery may also be considered.
Can osteoarthritis exercise?
Osteoarthritis often occurs due to the degeneration associated with aging, causing damage to the essential cartilage, leading to symptoms such as joint pain and deformities during movement. In the case of osteoarthritis, it is crucial to keep warm and rest, avoid exposure to cold, and minimize knee-joint load-bearing activities such as mountain climbing and stair climbing. Instead, choosing activities like Tai Chi and swimming, which cause less joint wear, can help alleviate symptoms and prevent accelerated cartilage damage.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by degenerative changes in the joints. Symptoms primarily include swelling, pain, fluid accumulation, and restricted movement in the joint areas. In severe cases, it can even lead to joint deformity and dysfunction. Treatment for arthritis is mainly divided into non-surgical and surgical methods. Conservative treatment can be attempted first. Patients with arthritis should rest and avoid vigorous activities. Symptomatic treatment may include anti-inflammatory pain relievers, cartilage nutrition drugs, or intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. Additionally, hot compress physiotherapy and other methods can be used to alleviate symptoms. When conservative treatment is ineffective, or if there is deformity and dysfunction of the limbs, joint replacement surgery may also be considered.
Osteoarthritis Care Measures
Patients with arthritis should first pay attention to rest in daily life, keep warm, avoid cold and dampness, avoid excessive strain on the knee joints, try to minimize going up and down stairs, and reduce exercises that involve bending and bearing weight on the knee joints. Additionally, obese patients should pay attention to losing weight to avoid further wear and tear on the cartilage. In terms of diet, it is important to enhance nutrition, appropriately supplementing foods rich in high-quality protein, calcium, and vitamins, such as chicken, fish, milk, eggs, beans, vegetables, fruits, etc. It is also important to get more sun exposure and appropriately supplement vitamin D. These nursing measures are beneficial for the patient's condition.
Symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease caused by degenerative changes in the joints, with symptoms primarily manifesting as swelling, pain, fluid accumulation, and limited mobility in the joints. Severe cases may even lead to joint deformities and movement disorders. In terms of treatment for arthritis, it can be divided into non-surgical and surgical treatments. Non-surgical treatment involves rest and avoiding strenuous activities to prevent further joint damage. It may also include the use of anti-inflammatory painkillers, chondroprotective drugs, or intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate to relieve symptoms. Additionally, treatments such as hot compresses and physical therapy can be used. When conservative treatment is ineffective or accompanied by limb deformities and movement disorders, joint replacement surgery may also be an option.
Differences between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis
Osteoarthritis is commonly seen in middle-aged and elderly people, primarily due to long-term joint wear, leading to degeneration of the cartilage in the joints, causing symptoms of pain, swelling, and discomfort in movement. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis often begins in younger individuals and is linked to genetics and viral infections, primarily being an autoimmune disease. It is characterized by positive rheumatoid factor, including elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate and C-reactive protein. Additionally, the treatment methods for these two diseases are different. Osteoarthritis can mainly be managed with massage therapy, injections of sodium hyaluronate, and oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate symptoms. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, might require the use of immunosuppressants, steroids, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to relieve pain. Importantly, rheumatoid arthritis commonly affects the small joints of the fingers, whereas osteoarthritis most frequently affects larger joints, such as the knee, highlighting the fundamental differences between the two conditions. (Note: The answers provided are for reference only. Medications should be taken under the guidance of a professional physician, and self-medication should be avoided.)
Can osteoarthritis be treated with moxibustion?
The primary cause of osteoarthritis is degeneration, which can lead to damage, wear, and tear of cartilage within the joints, as well as the formation of excessive osteophytes and bone spurs around the joints. These changes cause symptoms such as knee pain, swelling, and difficulty walking. There are many treatment methods available, the most common of which include oral medication, rest, physical therapy, and moxibustion, all of which can help alleviate symptoms. However, these treatments only provide relief from the symptoms of osteoarthritis and do not cure the condition. If a cure is needed, surgical treatment, such as total knee replacement, may be necessary to fully recover. Conservative treatments like moxibustion can help relieve pain and reduce swelling, but they only offer relief and do not cure the condition. Therefore, while moxibustion can alleviate pain from knee arthritis, it cannot cure it.
Is soaking feet good for osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis can benefit from soaking the feet in warm water, slightly hotter if possible, as the feet have numerous nerves. This can promote blood circulation and facilitate metabolism, such as the elimination of bodily waste, which is beneficial, especially for middle-aged and elderly people, in preventing cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. Osteoarthritis depends on the location and is a chronic joint disease. Its primary pathological change is the degenerative alteration of the joint cartilage. Typically, this condition affects middle-aged and older individuals, more so women than men. Early changes include the deterioration of the joint cartilage, leading to the exposure of the subchondral bone, which can then cause periostitis, changes in the joint capsule, and surrounding muscles. Usually, it presents as rest pain, which may decrease with light activity. Treatment often involves nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate for lubrication and joint protection. In severe cases, joint replacement, such as knee replacement, may be necessary. Thus, soaking the feet can be beneficial for those with osteoarthritis.
Is hot compress good for osteoarthritis?
For patients with osteoarthritis, hot compresses are very effective. Hot compresses can promote local blood circulation, which can effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms of osteoarthritis. Usually, hot compresses are applied using hot water bottles, or by heating bran or salt, which are very effective. Typically, apply the hot compress twice a day, each time for more than half an hour. Additionally, aside from hot compresses, it is important to protect the affected area in patients with osteoarthritis, avoid exposure to cold, and reduce irritation to the area. When necessary, treatment may also need to be supplemented with medications, such as pain relievers and drugs that nourish the cartilage.
Characteristics of osteoarthritis pain
The characteristics of pain in patients with osteoarthritis mainly manifest as pain occurring frequently in the morning, which lessens after activity. However, if the activity is excessive, the pain can worsen. Another symptom is joint stiffness, which often occurs when getting up in the morning or after the joint has been in a certain position for a long time during the day. The affected joint may show symptoms such as swelling, pain, and a feeling of friction during movement. In severe cases, patients may experience muscle atrophy and joint deformity. Patients with osteoarthritis should pay attention to rest and avoid vigorous activities. They should use anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs, as well as drugs that nourish the cartilage, to improve symptoms. When conservative treatment is ineffective and joint deformity or functional impairment occurs, joint replacement surgery may also be considered as a treatment option.