Late-stage symptoms of osteoarthritis

Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
Updated on March 31, 2025
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In clinical settings, the symptoms of late-stage osteoarthritis are primarily characterized by severe joint swelling and pain, and the joints are prone to deformity, which affects the patient's ability to work or carry on with daily activities. For late-stage osteoarthritis, surgical intervention is often necessary. It requires thorough preoperative examinations to rule out surgical contraindications, followed by prosthetic joint replacement surgery. Postoperatively, it is crucial to actively manage the surgical site by changing dressings and disinfecting to prevent infection, typically every two to three days. Additionally, anticoagulant medications are needed to prevent the occurrence of thrombosis.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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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.

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Written by Li Jie
Orthopedics
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What foods should be eaten for osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is generally divided into two main categories. The first category is liver and kidney deficiency, commonly seen in older adults. For this condition, it is advocated to consume foods that nourish the liver and kidney. Black foods are considered to benefit the kidneys, such as black rice, black beans, black goat, and black pork. Other foods like He Shou Wu (Polygonum multiflorum), Rehmannia glutinosa, Coix seed, and Chinese yam also help nourish the liver and kidney and can be beneficial for the condition. The second category is Qi stagnation and blood stasis type, where it is recommended to eat foods that promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis. In Western medicine, there are no specific dietary recommendations for treating osteoarthritis, except for general advice for elderly women to consume calcium-rich foods to prevent bone-related issues. Foods recommended include milk, eggs, and lean meat, which are rich in protein and calcium, and it is encouraged to consume more of these.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Osteoarthritis is divided into several types.

Osteoarthritis can be divided into two major categories based on the presence of local or systemic causative factors: primary osteoarthritis and secondary osteoarthritis. Primary osteoarthritis is mainly associated with factors such as age, obesity, occupation, and overuse. Secondary osteoarthritis can be seen in the following diseases: First, it is mechanical or anatomical abnormalities, such as abnormal joint development, acute and chronic joint injuries, etc. Second, it is severe joint diseases, such as septic arthritis, tuberculous arthritis, etc. Third, it involves metabolic abnormalities, such as gouty arthritis. Fourth, it involves endocrine abnormalities, such as acromegaly, hyperparathyroidism, etc., all of which can trigger osteoarthritic changes to some extent.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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Osteoarthritis contraindications

Patients with osteoarthritis should reduce joint load and excessive movements, and obese patients should pay attention to weight loss to avoid aggravating cartilage damage. When symptoms are severe, a cane can be used to alleviate the burden on the joints. In terms of diet, one can eat more foods rich in vitamins, mainly various vegetables and fruits, and also consume foods high in calcium appropriately. Patients with arthritis should also pay attention to protecting the joint areas, and guard against cold and dampness to avoid exacerbating symptoms. When symptoms are severe, medication can also be used for treatment, such as anti-inflammatory analgesics and drugs that nourish cartilage, which can play a role in improving symptoms and delaying the progression of the disease. When mobility is impaired, surgical treatment might be necessary.

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Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
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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.