Osteoarthritis Care and Management
Published: 09 October 2022
Published: 09 October 2022
There are over 100 types of arthritis. Each type affects the joints in different ways and the degree of pain experienced will vary between patients (Arthritis Australia 2017a).
The most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis, is a chronic condition affecting the whole joint, including the bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles (AIHW 2020; Arthritis Australia 2017b).
Osteoarthritis accounts for about 62% of all arthritic conditions in Australia (AIHW 2020).
Osteoarthritis is a condition resulting in pain, swelling and/or reduction in motion. Like other forms of arthritis, osteoarthritis tends to worsen over time (AIHW 2019).
As the condition progresses, everyday tasks that were once simple can become a challenge. Initially, a person will experience pain during and after physical activity, but as the condition progresses. pain will be present during minor movements or even while resting (Arthritis Australia 2017b).
It’s reported that roughly 2,100,000 million Australians (9.0%) are living with osteoarthritis (AIHW 2019).
Three in five people who have osteoarthritis are female, and although osteoarthritis can affect people of all ages, the chance of developing osteoarthritis increases considerably after the age of 45 (AIHW 2019).
Socioeconomic factors also influence the chance of a person developing osteoarthritis. People living in lower socioeconomic areas have a prevalence rate of 25% for osteoarthritis compared to 16% for people in higher economic areas (AIHW 2019).
From 2005 to 2017 there was a 38% increase in the rate of total knee replacements as a result of osteoarthritis (AIHW 2019).
(Arthritis Australia 2017b; Healthdirect 2020; Healthy WA 2014)
Osteoarthritis can affect any joint. However, it occurs most often in:
(Arthritis Australia 2017b; Better Health Channel 2019)
The following is a list of common osteoarthritis symptoms (bear in mind that symptoms will differ depending on the joint affected):
(MSK 2022; Arthritis Australia 2017b; Better Health Channel 2019)
Those who are at increased risk of osteoarthritis include:
(Better Health Channel 2019; Arthritis Queensland 2014)
A doctor will diagnose osteoarthritis from a combination of a patient’s symptoms, their medical history, and a physical examination. An x-ray might show narrowing and changes in the shape of the joint, however, an x-ray may not be enough to demonstrate how much pain a patient is in. Blood tests will only rule out other types of arthritis (Arthritis Australia 2017b; MSK 2022).
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but if managed effectively, patients will still be able to enjoy a high quality of life. A patient should create a treatment plan with a general practitioner (GP).
Management options for osteoarthritis include:
(Arthritis Australia 2017b; Healthy WA 2014)
Exercise is a crucial part of any osteoarthritis management plan. Regular exercise has the potential to improve joint mobility and strength and reduce some of the symptoms caused by the condition (MSK 2022).
(Arthritis Foundation n.d.)
Encourage patients to acknowledge and express their feelings - it is likely they will experience a mix of emotions including fear, anger and frustration. This is normal. It may be worth encouraging patients to seek counselling in order to talk about and process their emotions (Arthritis Australia 2017a).
Empower your patients with information and resources to understand their particular type of arthritis. This will provide them with a sense of control and will give them a better idea of their treatment options.
Question 1 of 3
True or false: People in higher socioeconomic areas have a higher chance of developing osteoarthritis.