What is osteoarthritis?

Written by Li Jin
Orthopedics
Updated on September 16, 2024
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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.

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Written by Lv Yao
Orthopedics
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Difference between Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis have clear differences. Osteoarthritis refers to the rupture, loss, and fissuring of joint cartilage caused by degeneration in old age, which can lead to knee pain, and in severe cases, deformity. Rheumatoid arthritis, however, refers to the destruction of joint cartilage caused by rheumatism, which includes the proliferation of synovium, swelling, migratory pain, morning stiffness, among other symptoms. Diagnosis can be confirmed through laboratory tests, such as the rheumatoid factor test, making it quite easy to distinguish between the two.

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Written by Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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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.

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Written by Guan Jing Tao
Orthopedics
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Is physiotherapy good for osteoarthritis?

The answer is affirmative. For osteoarthritis, especially that caused by chronic diseases, local physiotherapy helps promote the dissipation of inflammation, the reduction of joint effusion, and the improvement of local tissue inflammation. Moreover, for some patients with osteophyte formation, consistent daily physiotherapy also aids in improving local pain and swelling, joint effusion, and other symptoms. It helps in promoting regional recovery and alleviating the further aggravation of local effusion and swelling.

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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 Cheng Bin
Orthopedics
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What should I do about osteoarthritis?

For the treatment of osteoarthritis, the main approach is still based on the severity of the patient's osteoarthritis to determine the corresponding treatment plan. If the osteoarthritis is very severe, severely affecting the patient's normal function, causing joint deformity, and affecting the patient's normal work or life, it is necessary to actively pursue joint replacement surgery. For cases where the symptoms of osteoarthritis are not very severe, choosing active conservative treatment is completely adequate. The most important thing is still to reduce the amount of exercise, pay attention to protecting the local joints, never let them get cold, often apply heat, and combine some medical treatments, such as using pain relief and cartilage-nourishing drugs. Common drugs like Nimodipine capsules and Glucosamine Hydrochloride have very good effects.