In the USA, Osteoarthritis, also known as the “arthritis of the bone”, is a common joint disorder which affects over 32.5 million American men and women, according to the report issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Do you suffer from achy hips or creaky knees? Well, if yes, then you will be amazed to learn that these could be signs of hip and knee osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that becomes more common with age. While osteoarthritis can’t be cured, treatments are available to help ease your pain and improve your quality of life. Keep reading to learn more about hip and knee osteoarthritis symptoms and what you can do to find relief.
What Is Osteoarthritis?
There’s nothing funny about osteoarthritis. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun with the name.
After all, it’s not every day that you get to say “wear-and-tear arthritis.” It sounds like something you might get from playing too much tennis or from working at a car factory. But in reality, osteoarthritis is a condition that can affect anyone, regardless of their activity level or occupation.
So what exactly is this “wear-and-tear arthritis”? Put simply, it’s when the natural cushioning of our body joints, known as the cartilage, wears down. When this occurs, the joints rub more aggressively and closely against each another, which can cause pain, stiffness, and other symptoms.
If you’re dealing with osteoarthritis, don’t despair — there are many treatments available to help relieve your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
Symptoms of Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis
In addition to severe discomfort and pain, people suffering from knee and hip arthritis have the following symptoms:
Stiffness
When it comes to osteoarthritis, the hips and knees don’t mess around. Stiffness in the morning or after sitting for a long period is often the first tell-tale sign of hip and knee osteoarthritis. This is because the lack of cushioning due to the loss of cartilage can make the knees and hips stiff.
In addition, the pain associated with this condition is often worse when bearing weight on the affected joint. As the condition progresses, patients may also experience creaking or grating sensations when moving the joint.
If you suffer from these symptoms, it is important to consult with a doctor, as early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the disease’s progression.
Decreased range of motion
One symptom of hip and knee osteoarthritis is a decreased range of motion. This occurs because the ball-and-socket construction of the hip limits the range of motion.
Additionally, hip and knee osteoarthritis make it difficult to spread the legs apart, further decreasing the range of motion.
As a result, sufferers and patients with this particular condition may have difficulty walking or performing other activities that require a wide range of motion.
Fortunately, treatments available can help improve the range of motion and reduce the symptoms of this condition.
Physical therapy, for example, can help to stretch and strengthen the muscles around the joints. In addition, medications can be used to relieve pain and inflammation. Proper treatment allows patients with hip and knee osteoarthritis to enjoy a good quality of life.
Tenderness.
Have you ever stubbed your finger or toe and felt an intense wave of pain from the lightest touch? That’s what it feels like to have Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis. Your joints will feel sensitive and tender when pressure is applied to them, even if it’s just a light touch.
Sometimes the gentle brush of a piece of clothing can trigger pain. It’s one of the many hallmark symptoms of this condition that can make everyday activities feel like a challenge.
But there’s no need to suffer in silence. Some treatments available can help relieve the pain and stiffness associated with Hip and Knee Osteoarthritis.
Loss of flexibility.
As you age, it’s not uncommon to feel less flexible than you once were. But if you’re having difficulty moving your hips or knees through their full range of motion, it could be a sign of osteoarthritis. In simple words, it is a degenerative joint disease that can cause pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility.
In addition to reduced flexibility, other symptoms of osteoarthritis include joint swelling, tenderness, and grating or creaking sounds when the joint is moved.
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to see a doctor so that they can diagnose the problem and recommend treatment.
Grating sensation.
Imagine going for your routine work and suddenly feeling like you stepped on a piece of gravel. Except the gravel is your bones grinding together, and there’s no getting rid of it. That’s what osteoarthritis in the hips and knees can feel like — a constant grating sensation that makes even the simplest activities painful.
The good news is you’re not alone. Roughly 33 million Americans suffer from osteoarthritis, and many find relief through weight loss, exercise, and pain medication. So if you’re dealing with this pesky condition, take heart — help is on the way.
Bone spurs.
If you thought osteoarthritis was a fancy way of saying “bone spurs,” you’re not alone. Many people are surprised to learn that bone spurs are a symptom of osteoarthritis rather than the disease itself.
But what exactly are bone spurs, and how do they form? Simply put, bone spurs are extra bits of bone that you will find near the affected joint.
Moreover, bone spurs often feel like hard lumps and range from a few millimetres to several centimetres.
While they don’t usually cause pain, they can be quite irritating. In some severe cases, they may even make it difficult to move the affected joint.
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