Warning signs of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes pain, stiffness, and creaking sounds when moving. If left untreated, it can easily lead to muscle atrophy.

Osteoarthritis is not only a disease of the elderly but is increasingly common in many groups of people. People who do manual labor regularly, practice high-intensity sports, have a history of trauma, congenital malformations or deformities after trauma, are overweight, obese... are susceptible to osteoarthritis.

Associate Professor, Dr. Dang Hong Hoa, Head of the Department of Musculoskeletal, Tam Anh General Hospital, Hanoi, said that osteoarthritis cannot be completely cured, but proper detection and treatment help control and reduce the impact on the patient's life.

Degenerative joints cause pain. Photo: Freepik

Degeneration can affect every joint in the body, of which the knees, spine, hips, fingers, ankles... are most affected. The disease often develops slowly and worsens over time, the most common symptoms are pain, stiffness, and muscle atrophy.

Pain during or after exercise : The pain tends to be dull and disappears when the patient is inactive. If not treated promptly, the pain will become more severe, affecting daily activities.

Stiffness : Symptoms often appear after the patient wakes up or after a period of inactivity. Stiffness may be accompanied by pain.

Joints that crackle when moving : The patient may feel a burning sensation and hear a popping or crackling sound when moving.

Muscle atrophy, swelling : Long-term osteoarthritis often leads to swelling, deforming the joints and surrounding muscles. If not moving for a long time, it causes muscle atrophy, the knee is dislocated from its axis.

Patients should see a doctor as soon as they detect signs of illness. In daily life, it is necessary to eat healthy, limit foods high in sugar, salt, and processed foods.... Regular exercise helps strengthen muscles, control weight, and reduce pressure on the knees, hips, and lower back.

Apply heat or cold to the joint 2-3 times a day to relieve pain. Take medication as directed by your doctor, even if symptoms improve. Get regular checkups and see your doctor if your condition worsens or if you notice anything unusual.

People with chronic diseases such as osteoarthritis should get vaccinated against influenza and pneumococcal disease every year to protect their bodies from these diseases.

Doctor Hong Hoa consults patients about bone and joint conditions. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Dr. Hong Hoa said that when conservative treatment is ineffective or the joint is severely damaged, the patient may be prescribed joint replacement. Reconstructive surgery can be applied to most joints such as knees, hips, fingers, etc. Artificial joints are made from biomedical materials, with a lifespan of 15-20 years or more. Surgery significantly improves symptoms, increases mobility and quality of life of the patient.

Readers with questions about bone and joint diseases can send questions here for doctors to answer.

Phi Hong

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