Osteoarthritis – Dealing with Chronic Pain

One of the complications of aging is the annoying, chronic pain from osteoarthritis (inflammation of the cartilage that separates bones). The cartilage cushions the ends of bones in the joint and becomes injured or wears down with age until it’s completely gone. Bone on bone results leading to deformities, an altered gait and pain that prevents normal activities and a good night’s rest.

The risk factors for osteoarthritis are older age, being female, obesity, injury, overuse, genetics, bone deformities, diabetes and hemochromatosis (elevated iron levels in the blood).

What are the Symptoms?

—Pain in the affected area that hurts with movement.

—Stiffness which is noticeable upon waking or following inactivity.

—Tenderness in the joint that might be painful when touched.

—Loss of Flexibility or the inability to move the joint completely.

—Grating Sensations occurs when a pop or crackling sound is heard or a grinding feeling with movement.

—Bone Spurs are hard lumpy bone protrusions in the joint that may cause pain.

—Swelling results from inflammation in the joint.

You should see a doctor when the pain interferes with your activities of daily living. Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Sanchez-Sotelo from the Mayo Clinic describes several tips to keep joints healthy as one ages.

—Modify Activities and include bicycling which is great for the knee and hip.

—Lighten the Load and use a cane to shift weight off the injured hip or knee. A knee stabilizer brace may help.

—Over-the-counter medications may reduce pain and inflammation such as Tylenol or ibuprofen but watch for side effects and check with your doctor before taking them.

—Joint Injections such as Cortisone (steroid) or Toradol (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug NSAID) are injected into the joint to temporarily reduce pain.

—Hyaluronic Acid simulates the knee joint to help lubricate it and reduce friction.

—Experimental Injections such as stem cells and platelet-rich plasma may help heal the damaged area but research in them is still emerging.

Dr. Sanchez-Sotelo says:

In the past, older people just accepted joint pain. Now people are living longer and want to remain active as they age. We are not all destined for joint replacement. There are some people in their 80s and 90s who have great joints.

On A Personal Note: I injured my right knee 7 years ago while playing my first game of Pickleball. I didn’t notice a great deal of swelling at the time but over the years the injury has worsened. Two years ago, an X-ray showed half of the cartilage on the injured side remained. Now it’s completely gone. A year ago, I was on a 10-foot ladder painting our new house but today walking is uncomfortable. I’m facing a knee replacement this fall to correct a new bowleg deformity.

Surprisingly, my husband’s college basketball knee injury from 1975 has finally caught up with him. He’s facing a knee replacement surgery 6 weeks before mine. We do everything together, but this is too much.

If you hurt from joint pain, don’t ignore it. Try a heating pad or ice pack and simple over-the-counter medications. Make sure any medications or supplements are cleared by your healthcare provider. Motion is lotion so check with your doctor before increasing your activity to avoid further injury to the joint. Physical therapy is a helpful way to safely stabilize and strengthen injured joints. Special braces or shoes prescribed by an orthopedic physician are also available and may be covered by insurance. Finally, you may contact the Arthritis Foundation at arthritis.org for more information.

May God bless you as you get older and enter another chapter in your life.
It’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years. Abraham Lincoln

Author of Wake UP Call 911: It’s Time to Reduce your Risk for A Heart Attack and Stroke (2015) and Helping the Hurting: Nursing Ministry in the Body of Christ (2022).

You may visit my website for additional information: jenniejohnsonrn.com

References:

“Osteoartritis,” Mayo Clinic (June 6, 2021). https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925.

Rhoda Madson, “Mayo Clinic Expert Offers Tips on How to Keep Joints Healthy as You Age,” Mayo Clinic (October 11, 2022). https://newsnetwork.mayoclinic.org/discussion/10-11mayo-clinic-expert-offers-tips-on-how-to-keep-joints-healthy-as-you-age/.

Quote Investigator (July 14, 2012). https://quoteinvestigator.com/2012/07/14/life-years-count/.