Osteoarthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that involves the joint cartilage (the shiny and slippery surface on the end of the bone), the bone underlying the cartilage, and the joint lining and capsule.
Osteoarthritis has increased dramatically since the middle of the 20th century. Not surprisingly, researchers are busy in search of answers for the what’s, why’s and how’s of this frequently occurring condition. Like so many areas in medical science we know a lot about osteoarthritis, but fall short of knowing how to prevent, slow down or reverse joint damage caused by osteoarthritis.
OA most commonly affects the hips, knees, spine and hands, is more common in women, and occurs more frequently after the age of 40.
It is a chronic inflammatory disease of the joints that involves the joint cartilage (the shiny and slippery surface on the end of the bone), the bone underlying the cartilage, and the joint lining and capsule.
Symptoms include at varying degrees of severity joint pain, swelling, stiffness and associated muscle weakness and/or tightness. The symptoms of Osteoarthritis tend come and go, with periods of increased discomfort and periods of greater comfort.
Medical treatment and interventions cannot, at this time, prevent or reverse the joint damage caused by the osteoarthritis process.
Medications such as acetaminophen and non-steroidal anti-inflammatories can help manage symptoms. Advanced disease is treated on an as needed basis with corticosteroid injections and surgical interventions such as hip and knee joint replacements.
Injection therapies such as Prolotherapy, PRP (plasma rich protein) and Stem Cell therapies have not been proven to be consistently effective therapies to treat symptoms of OA or to reverse joint damage and the future role of these therapies is uncertain.
Evidence based treatment of Osteoarthritis emphasizes education, weight management, exercise and activity modifications to reduce pain and improve mobility and function.
Despite what could be exciting future developments in the medical treatment of osteoarthritis, primary treatment will be patient education, weight management, exercise and activity modifications. These are tangible strategies, available now for people with osteoarthritis to take charge of managing the health of their joints.
The challenge of course for the medical and physiotherapy professions is to provide accessible services to people that assesses, treats, educates and follows patients once diagnosed or at risk of developing osteoarthritis. For many people, consulting with their physiotherapist and applying their programs and exercises at home or in their community gym is an effective approach. However, there remains a need to reach more Canadians diagnosed with osteoarthritis and facilitate the education and exercise programs that is key to best treatment and management of their OA.
This program, originating in Denmark, has proven results for people with osteoarthritis in their hips or knees to lessen their pain, take less pain medication, increase their mobility and to improve their overall function.
Due to its success, The Canadian Orthopedic Foundation has acquired a license to operate Canadian based GLA:D programs through their division, Bone and Joint Canada. Locally, orthopaedic surgeons and Alberta Health Services (AHS) are supporting this program and working to facilitate the delivery of GLA:D programs in numerous Alberta locations.