December 1, 2022 Author : Ana Filipa Mourão Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease, commonly known as arthrosis, rheumatic or rheumatism . It is the most prevalent rheumatic disease; It is the main cause of chronic pain; It contributes to disability in activities of daily living. This disease appears mainly at older ages (over 65 years), it is more frequent in women, especially after menopause, and in the Caucasians. What is osteoarthritis or rheumatic? In this rheumatic disease there is wear, tear and degradation of the cartilage . Cartilage is a tissue that is present in various places in the body, namely lining the surface of bones in joints; On joint surfaces, cartilage contributes, for example, to cushioning impacts and facilitating sliding between bones. Osteoarthritis reduces the joint space and causes friction between the bone surfaces , causing, in addition to pain, 'crackling' and 'creaking' of the joints. Cartilage wear and tear is triggered by the loads and forces that joints suffer repeatedly everyday, particularly joints supporting a significant proportion of body weight. Thus, osteoarthritis is very common in the hips or knees, but other joints, such as those in the hands and spine, can also be affected. Obesity, poor alignment of joint surfaces, lack of use of joints, muscle weakness, repetitive work and continued poor posture favor the development of osteoarthritis. Symptoms of osteoarthritis Initially, episodes of pain associated with rheumatic are less severe: They happen in relation to the movement; The pain is worse at the end of the day, as there is greater overload on the affected joint. As the disease progresses, the pain may increase in intensity, duration and frequency and other symptoms may appear , such as: Rigidity of movements , with the sensation of “rusty” joints; Difficulty performing some movements , for example going up stairs, bending down, doing manual activities that require some strength or dexterity (for example, opening bottle caps or packages, knitting); Joint deformity , for example with deformed hands, crooked fingers, turned-out knees, bunions. Prevent rheumatic Measures that help prevent or delay osteoarthritis are aimed at: Promoting good cartilage condition; Do not overload the joints. Having the ideal body weight A balanced diet and physical exercise, according to needs, are essential for maintaining an ideal body weight. A balanced Mediterranean-type diet , with sufficient amounts of antioxidants (fruits and vegetables), reduced fat, moderate amounts of protein and no calories in excess can help prevent arthrosis. Moderate physical exercise practiced regularly (2-3 times a week) is enough to prevent rheumatic or delay its evolution. Exercise must be adapted to each person, taking into account their age, general physical condition, as well as joint and muscle condition. Practicing physical exercise regularly promotes cartilage nutrition and repair and maintain good muscle mass. People who already have arthrosis should practice exercise with moderation and progressively. The most recommended types of exercise for arthrosis are those that do not involve to much load, such as swimming, water aerobics, gentle maintenance gymnastics or cycling. Footwear that does not stress the joints On a daily basis, wear comfortable shoes : Low jump; Wide toe cap. To practice physical exercise, use proper footwear that helps to cushion the impact. Promote good posture Adapt your home and workplace to your physical conditions, so that you can adopt more correct postures with less overload . Spare the joints as much as possible, avoiding, for example: Carry excess weight; Remain standing for prolonged periods of time; Walking on uneven ground. Try to break periods of more intense and repetitive work with periods of rest. Avoid intense physical activity and high-impact sports such as prolonged running or jumping. And remember Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease and the commitment of each one is essential both to prevent osteoarthritis and to succeed in a therapeutic strategy that may be proposed in case of illness. If you already have osteoarthritis, always clarify your doubts with your doctor and comply with the medication and other recommended measures. Meet the rheumatology clinical team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
