Arthritis is a common condition that affects millions of people worldwide, including Malaysia. Arthritis is a general term that refers to inflammation of the joints, which can cause pain, stiffness and limited mobility. There are many types of arthritis, each caused by factors unique to the disease.
Understanding Arthritis
“Osteoarthritis is when the cartilage that caps the bones in your joints wears away causing the bones to grate against each other. Meanwhile, rheumatoid arthritis is a disease in which the immune system attacks the joints, beginning with the lining of joints (synovium). Unfortunately, rheumatoid arthritis affects more women than men, with the ratio of 3 to 1,” says Dr John Decruz, a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at ParkCity Medical Centre.
“In addition to that, there are also joint paints related to gout, which is caused by uric acid build up in the form of painful crystals in the joints and more commonly seen in the younger group around 30 to 50 years of age. This is in contrast with the other types of arthritis that are more prevalent in much older groups. Joint pain may also occur due to an infection, which appears in the form of redness and reduction in range of motion around the affected joint,” he continues.
Some patients may experience joint pain due to a genetic predisposition, which causes their joints to stiffen up and become painful as they age. This can be diagnosed with a thorough family history, inspection and physical examination. Sometimes X-rays may also be necessary. Meanwhile, blood tests will also reveal joint pain caused by autoimmune diseases such as lupus, gouty arthritis and septic arthritis.
Diagnosing Arthritis
If you think you may be suffering from joint-related diseases, it’s best not to delay seeking treatment. However, not all symptoms lead to arthritis.
“Usually, patients begin suspecting of conditions are often marked by a ‘crackly’ sensation or sound that people may experience when performing physical activities, including something as simple as getting up from a chair,” explains Dr John. “However, most of the time, especially if there is only sound without any pain or swelling, it’s harmless. But of course, we can always rule out any potential of the disease with x-ray, blood tests and even MRI.”
X-rays of patients suffering from osteoarthritis will reveal a reduction of the gap between the bones indicating that the cartilage is worn out. There may even be hairline cracks, bone spurs or even bone cysts in more severe cases.
Treating Arthritis
If you’re diagnosed with arthritis, there are many options that you could explore before landing on surgery.
“Nowadays surgeries such as knee or hip replacement surgeries or joint replacement surgeries are often last resort options when the arthritis is no longer manageable. The go-to upon initial diagnosis are supplements such as Glucosamine and Chondroitin; which are often taken together and are believed to help repair and maintain the cartilage in the joints.
“One good thing is our local food is generally rich in turmeric, which contains curcumin that has been proven through studies to have anti-inflammatory properties that could help reduce joint pain and inflammation,” details Dr John.
In addition, an Omega-3 fatty acids-rich diet and vitamin D has also been found to help reduce inflammation of joints.
“And of course, we have medications that are commonly used to treat arthritis, including painkillers, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and biologic agents.
“Painkillers such as acetaminophen can help to relieve pain, while NSAIDs such as ibuprofen can help to reduce pain and inflammation. DMARDs such as methotrexate can help to slow the progression of rheumatoid arthritis, while biologic agents such as adalimumab can target specific parts of the immune system to reduce inflammation in the joints,” adds Dr John.
Physical therapy is also an option for effective treatment of arthritis, but Dr John reminds to approach it with caution.
“Yes, physical therapy improves joint function and reduces pain but only start it upon seeing a doctor to get a proper medical diagnosis of the type of arthritis that is afflicting you. I’ve seen cases of patients’ arthritis becoming worse due to premature physical therapy.”
Preventing Arthritis
If you would like to keep arthritis at bay, there are certain measures that can be taken. Similar to the way in which physical therapy is used to reduce pain in joints—through exercises to strengthen the muscles around joints, as well as stretches and range-of-motion exercises to improve flexibility, keeping active will help to keep the onset of arthritis at bay.
“Lifestyle changes is also important in treating as well as preventing arthritis. Maintaining a healthy weight to reduce the pressure on the joints while avoiding excessive inflammatory food such as sugar, fast-food and food fried with processed oil. Eating a healthy diet that is rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains can also help to reduce inflammation in the body,” advises Dr John.
