News | January 19, 2021
Have you had pain in your joints for a long time? At rest or during exercise? You finally decide to go to your family doctor or orthopaedist. They will then take an X-ray, possibly an MRI, and diagnose osteoarthritis.
And now what?
Contrary to popular belief, osteoarthritis is NOT primarily painful. Osteoarthritis refers to the wear and tear of a joint. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
The question that arises, however, is: Why does it suddenly hurt?
Quite simply, it is not the osteoarthritis that hurts, but the inflammation of the joint capsule around it. When cartilage rubs off, a reflex inflammatory reaction occurs in the joint lining.
This "hates" abraded cartilage so that it becomes inflamed, swells and produces more joint fluid. The joint becomes (externally) thick, possibly red and painful.
We perceive this reaction of the body as pain!
FACT:
Osteoarthritis is irreversible wear and tear of a joint, even if a few internet stars claim otherwise.
Do you have symptoms, have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and want to find out about the treatment options?
The variety of treatments is huge.
This ranges from weight loss, diet, stretching and exercise to conservative injection treatments and surgery when "nothing really works".
Would you like alternative options without undergoing surgery straight away?
Then get in touch. We will be happy to help and advise you comprehensively.
Yours, Dr. D. Filesch