How is osteoarthritis diagnosed
Your medical professional will identify osteoarthritis (OA) from your signs and a check-up. An x-ray may show the narrowing and changes in the form of your joint. However x-rays do not diagnose how much trouble you will have. For example, alterations in your knee could indicate osteoarthritis knee, but it could also mean other similar conditions.
An x-ray that reveals joint damage does not constantly mean you will have a lot of discomfort or issues. On the other hand your joint may be extremely unpleasant in spite of x-rays being ordinary. Blood examinations are merely valuable to eliminate various other sorts of arthritis.
Treatments and therapies for osteoarthritis
Treatments for OA vary depending upon which joints are impacted and the severity of your problem. There is no way of predicting specifically which treatment will function best for you. Each therapy has its own benefits and risks. Your medical professional might need to trial several various treatments prior to finding the one that is correct for you.
In basic terms, treatment typically consists of:
- A weight loss program, if you are overweight
- A workout program customized to your problem and ability
- pain control, using medicines such as paracetamol or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), in addition to figuring out to change the way you consider, and react to, pain
- Tools such as dental braces, walking sticks, and footwear insoles
- Joint substitute surgical treatment, if your symptoms are no longer managed with various other therapies.
Your local Joint inflammation Office has information on physical activity, healthy diets, medications and surgical procedure.
Stretches to help regain strength
Hamstring stretch (on your back)
- Lie on the floor or bed with both legs bent.
- Gradually lift one leg, still bent, and bring your knee back towards your upper body.
- Connect your hands behind your upper leg, not your knee, and correct your leg.
- Pull your straight leg back towards your head till you feel the stretch.
- Hold for 30 to 60 seconds, then slowly bend your knee and lower your leg back to the floor.
Why it works: This exercise stretches and reinforces your hamstrings, which are the muscles on the backs of the thighs that affix to the knees.
Half-squat
- Stand with your feet shoulder-distance apart and stretch your arms out in front of you.
- Gradually flex your knees up until you’re in a half-sitting stance. Hang on to a chair for balance, if necessary.
- Keep your back square and chest raised– don’t lean ahead.
- With your feet level on the flooring, hold the position for 5 seconds, then slowly stand back up.
- There ought to be no discomfort while executing this exercise.
Why it works: This exercise enhances the muscle mass on the fronts and backs of your thighs, along with the gluteus.