Arthrosis, often referred to as osteoarthritis, is the most common type of arthritis. According to estimates, 32.5 American adults suffer from osteoarthritis. With arthritis and osteoarthritis, the cartilage that covers the end of your bones either becomes damaged or disappears altogether. As a result, friction is increased, causing bones to grind against each other. This results in limited mobility and pain.Cartilage damage can occur in any joint of the body, but it’s more likely to occur in joints that endure a lot of wear and tear, such as the knees, hips, and neck.
Our team of doctors at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates often treats patients with arthrosis. If you suffer from limited mobility, stiffness, and pain in any of your joints, read on. Below, we asked our experts at Mid Atlantic Orthopedic Associates about the potential causes of arthrosis and its available treatments.
Risk factors for arthrosis
You can develop arthrosis due to old age and normal wear and tear, especially if you’re overweight or work a job that puts repeated stress on certain joints.
Other risk factors for arthritis include diseases that raise inflammation levels in the body, low estrogen in women, and low vitamin K.
However, estrogen supplementation in women hasn’t been shown to prevent arthrosis. Instead, using hormone replacement therapy increases the risk of undergoing joint replacement.
Arthrosis dangers
Arthrosis is a degenerative disease that often worsens over time without proper management. If you suffer from the condition, you may experience the following symptoms:
- Stress fractures
- Bone death
- Bleeding in the joints
- Pinched nerves
In addition to directly impacting bones and the surrounding tissues, arthrosis can indirectly lower life quality due to pain and stiffness. Consequences of untreated arthrosis include difficulty sleeping, an inability to perform daily chores, and weight gain.
Arthrosis prevention and treatment
You may be able to prevent or stall the progression of arthrosis by remaining active, maintaining a healthy body fat percentage, and eating a diet high in calcium and vitamin K.
Some studies show significant improvement in joint pain after supplementation of collagen. Collagen can be found naturally in foods such as bone broth and chicken skin.
Our experts may recommend pain relief medicines, creams, steroid injections, or surgery if your cartilage damage is extensive. If you’re experiencing pain and stiffness, contact us to schedule an appointment. Our staff will examine your joints and put together a personalized treatment plan to reduce the severity of your symptoms.
