American Medical Association Family Medical Guide - American Medical Association [699]
• Mild inflammation in a joint Inflammation in a joint causes swelling, redness, warmth, and tenderness.
Diagnosis
A doctor can diagnose osteoarthritis by the symptoms and the person’s health history. He or she will feel the affected joints for swellings such as bony growths, move or try to stretch the sore joints to see if their movement is limited, and listen and feel for crepitation. X-rays or an MRI can show if and how badly a bone is damaged and the extent of pressure on the nerves.
If the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is still uncertain, the doctor may test a sample of blood or of fluid withdrawn from inside the affected joints. Testing fluid from the joints or testing blood may help rule out other diseases and determine the type of arthritis that is causing the symptoms (osteoarthritis causes no blood abnormalities). Your doctor may refer you to a rheumatologist (a doctor who specializes in treating disorders of the joints) to help determine the diagnosis. Some types of arthritis become obvious only as they develop over time.
Symptoms of Cervical Osteoarthritis
The symptoms of cervical osteoarthritis (which affects the joints in the neck) are the same as the symptoms of osteoarthritis in other parts of the body. In addition, pressure on nerves in the neck can cause headache, dizziness, and muscle weakness, tingling, and numbness in the shoulders, arms, hands, or legs. If the nerves that control the muscles of the bladder are pinched, a person with cervical osteoarthritis may have problems with bladder control.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but it can be treated. A rheumatologist can design a treatment program to help manage the condition. Beginning treatment as early as possible can help reduce long-term damage to the joints and bones. The goal of treatment is to reduce pain and stiffness, allow for greater movement, and slow the progression of the disease. A combination of several of the treatments described below usually works best. It can take time to find the most effective combination. Work with your doctor to develop the treatment plan that will be most helpful for you.
Weight loss
Weight loss and exercise are usually the first treatments recommended for osteoarthritis. Losing weight can help relieve the pressure and strain on your joints, thereby reducing the damage to tissues inside the joints. Weight loss can also help reduce pain and stiffness in the affected joints, especially the joints in the hips, knees, back, and feet. Avoiding weight gain as you get older or losing excess weight can help prevent osteoarthritis or reduce your symptoms.
Exercise
Regular exercise can be very effective for relieving the pain and stiffness of osteoarthritis and may help slow the progression of the disease. Exercise also helps you reach or maintain a healthy weight, which reduces stress on your joints. Pick an exercise program that works for you and fits your lifestyle and physical abilities. Doctors generally recommend a combination of stretching exercises, mild strengthening exercises (such as lifting weights), and low-impact aerobic exercises (such as swimming, walking, or bicycling).
Physical and occupational therapy
Your doctor may recommend that you work with a physical therapist to prevent or reduce joint stiffness. A physical therapist will help you improve the range of motion in your affected joints and strengthen the muscles around the joints to give the joints support. He or she can also provide splints, canes, crutches, walkers, and other mobility aids if you need them.
An occupational therapist will help you learn new ways to perform everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, walking, and climbing stairs. You will learn to move in ways that reduce discomfort and put less strain on your joints. An occupational therapist can help you make changes in your home or office that will enable you to get around and perform routine tasks more easily and safely.
Hot and cold treatments
Applying heat or cold directly to the affected joints can temporarily