Osteoarthritis is a degenerative bone disease characterized by loss of articular cartilage (joints). Without cartilage as a buffer, the underlying bone will become irritated, which causes degeneration of the joints (Elizabeth J.Corwin, 2009)
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joints. It primarily affects the hands, knees, hips, and spine, though it can occur in any joint. Here's a comprehensive overview:
Causes:
- Age: Osteoarthritis becomes more common with age as wear and tear on the joints accumulate.
- Joint Injury: Previous joint injuries, such as fractures or ligament tears, can increase the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
- Obesity: Excess weight puts added stress on weight-bearing joints like the knees and hips, increasing the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Genetics: Some people may inherit a predisposition to developing osteoarthritis.
- Joint Overuse: Repetitive stress on joints due to certain occupations or activities can contribute to osteoarthritis.
Symptoms:
- Joint Pain: Pain may worsen with activity and improve with rest.
- Stiffness: Joints may feel stiff, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Decreased Range of Motion: It may become difficult to move the affected joint through its full range of motion.
- Joint Swelling: Inflammation in the affected joints may cause swelling and tenderness.
- Joint Instability: Joints affected by osteoarthritis may feel unstable or give way during movement.
Nursing Management for Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis may arise or be strengthened because of poor body mechanism. To avoid excessive activity in diseased joints. Use a stick, power tools that can lighten the joint work also needs to be considered. Excessive load on the knee because of bent leg (pronatio).
2. Diet
Diet to lose weight obese patients with osteoarthritis should be the main course of treatment of osteoarthritis. Weight loss often can reduce the incidence of complaints and inflammation.
3. Psychosocial Support
Psychosocial support needed by patients with osteoarthritis because it is chronic and the resulting inability. On the one hand the patient wants to hide incompetence, on the other hand he wanted others also think of his illness. Osteoarthritis patients are often reluctant to use auxiliary power due to psychological factors.
4. Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy plays an important role in the management of osteoarthritis, which includes the use of hot and cold and a proper exercise program. The use of heat is being given before exercise remedy reduce pain and stiffness. In active joints should be cool and rub drugs should not be used prior to heating. Variety of heat sources can be used as hydrocollator, electric pads, ultrasonic, infrared, paraffin baths and showers of hot showers. Training program aims to improve joint motion and strengthen the muscles around the joints are usually atrophic in osteoarthritis. Isometric exercise is better than isotonic because it reduces stress on the joints. Cartilage and bone atrophy that occurs in paralyzed limbs arise due to reduced load to the joints because of muscle contraction. Therefore periarticular muscles play an important role for the protection of vulnerable joints of the load, the strengthening these muscles is important.
5. Conservative treatment includes the use of warm compresses, weight loss, joint effort to rest and avoid excessive use of joints. To support the inflamed joint (splint sustainer) and isometric exercises and postural. Okupasioanl therapy and physiotherapy can help patients to adopt coping strategies independently.