| Osteoarthritis is a common condition affecting the | | | | (you need to see your doctor immediately for this one) |
| joints that can affect mobility and quality of life. It can | | | | - undiagnosed trauma or significant injury that has not |
| limit daily function such as ability to squat down or | | | | been assessed |
| carry heavy objects. | | | | - joints that lock regularly or give way on you |
| This article reviews the signs and symptoms used to | | | | (especially knees) |
| diagnose osteoarthritis. | | | | - unexplained weight loss |
| It is a very common; 8.5 million people in the UK have | | | | - constant unremitting night pain |
| osteoarthritis (Arthritis Care, UK 2002). | | | | - unable to weight bear through the joint |
| Osteoarthritis may first appear between ages 30 and | | | | - undiagnosed joint pain for more than 2 weeks |
| 40, and is present in almost everyone by age 70. | | | | Then you MUST consult your physician. Not all joint |
| There are several symptoms associated with arthritis | | | | pain is from arthritis, and an accurate diagnosis is very |
| and can include: | | | | important. |
| - Morning stiffness of stiffness after periods of | | | | Your health professional will ask a series of questions |
| inactivity | | | | to learn more about the symptoms then do an |
| - Achy joints | | | | objective assessment. |
| - Pain | | | | On examination there may be swelling around the joint, |
| - Restriction range of motion/ impaired mobility | | | | heat, deformity, and pain on manual joint compression. |
| - Crepitus or grinding sound on movement | | | | This could be confirmed by X-ray imaging where your |
| Symptoms are most likely felt in large weight-bearing | | | | health professional could see any of the following: |
| joints in one or more sites especially the hip, knee, | | | | - narrowing of the joint space |
| spine and hand. | | | | - bony spurs or osteophytes |
| Osteoarthritis can develop as we age or from other | | | | - alignment changes of the joint |
| factors, such as injury or being overweight. | | | | It is important to know that signs follow symptoms and |
| It is important that if you experience these symptoms | | | | that in early arthritis you may experience some |
| that you consult a suitably qualified health professional | | | | symptoms of osteoarthritis before the signs. As the |
| for an assessment and diagnosis. | | | | condition develops it is more pronounced on X-ray |
| Most people with arthritis or degenerative joint pain | | | | imaging. Your health professional will look at the total |
| have already been to their doctor to get it diagnosed. | | | | clinical picture for the diagnosis. |
| In my experience there are some times when you | | | | Once you have received a diagnosis it is important to |
| MUST see your physician about your joint pain. | | | | establish a systemised management plan that you can |
| Here is my advice, if you have any of the following: | | | | easily integrate in to your life to proactively manage |
| - joint pain that is causing persistent pins and needles | | | | your osteoarthritis. The earlier and more |
| or numbness | | | | comprehensive your plan is in the beginning the better |
| - spinal pain with weakness in your arms or legs, pins | | | | for your overall outcome. |
| and needles, or loss of control of bladder and bowel | | | | |