Approximately 20% of adults over 45 in the UK have osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee and 10% have osteoarthritis of the hip. Symptoms vary from person to person but often involve pain around the affected joint(s), groin pain, reduced mobility, swelling and redness. There are a number of factors that can increase the risk of hip and knee osteoarthritis-
older age
family history of OA
obesity
previous joint injury
more common in women
What is osteoarthritis (OA)?
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis worlwide. It occurs when the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of your bones in your joints wears down over time. Althought it can affect almost all joints in the body it is most common in the hands, hips, knees and spine.
Treatment options?
The first and most common treatment option is exercise and manual therapy, as recommended by the National Institue for Health an Care Excellence (NICE). They hightlight the benfits exercises consisting of strengthening muslces and joint mobility as well as general fitness. Addressing any risk factors including weight management and lifestyle changes.
Maintaining the health, strength and mobilty of surrounding joints and muslces can also aid in reducing the loading on the affected areas.
If symptoms are progressive and severely affecting daily life it may be recommended to have scans taken of the affected areas to further treatment options. These can include prescribed medication, injections in the joint and partial or full joint replcement surgery.
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