How New Osteoarthritis Research Affects You

The term arthritis has become a catch-all phrase with a variety of meanings. Most people have come to think of arthritis as a single disease but there are actually more than 100 different types of arthritis and arthritis-related conditions that affect people of all ages, sexes, and races [1]. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It is an inflammation of the joints that can lead to pain, stiffness, and tenderness. Although osteoarthritis is the number one cause of disability among adults in the United States [2], it has not always garnered the same amount of attention that more prominent medical conditions have received. In recent years, however, this trend has started to shift. There has been a resurgence of research and scientific interest within the osteoarthritis field with new and exciting developments being made in both pain management and treatments as well as working toward a possible cure. As our understanding of osteoarthritis increases, so too will the number of treatment options that will become available to the estimated 30 million Americans who are currently living with this condition[3].

What is osteoarthritis?

As we get older, our joints experience natural wear and tear. Couple that with lifestyle factors, this damage can becomes excessive, and the cartilage that supports our bones and joints starts to weaken and disintegrate. This results in joint pain that causes tenderness, stiffness, and difficulty moving. The problem of osteoarthritis begins in the bones. Thick-padded surfaces naturally cushion our bones at their ends which prevents them from rubbing against one another. This cushion is known as cartilage, and in osteoarthritis when the cartilage starts to wear away and disappear, it leaves the ends of the bones exposed. This lets the bones slide against one another which causes friction that leads to pain, swelling, and stiffness. Over time, the joints lose their strength and stop functioning correctly. The result is pain and discomfort which millions of people with osteoarthritis regularly experience.

What joints does osteoarthritis affect?

Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body, but it commonly targets the hands, knees, hips, and spine [4]. It rarely affects the elbow, wrist, and ankles. Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that tends to gradually worsen over time but there might be some steps you can take to help improve your joint pain and function.

What causes osteoarthritis?

Over the last few years, our understanding of osteoarthritis and the causes behind it has evolved. A growing body of research has shown that osteoarthritis is far from being a simple mechanical "wear and tear" disease like first thought, but is much more complex. The Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) recently classified osteoarthritis as a "metabolic disease" due to new studies highlighting a link between metabolic components and the development of osteoarthritis. Put simply, it is thought that meta-inflammation caused by factors like obesity and metabolic surplus (excess energy or nutrients), can result in stress and inflammation of the cells. This stress triggers a vicious cycle that leads to cell dysfunction which itself can eventually result in joint damage [4b]. Other conditions such as being overweight, having high lipid levels, a Vitamin-D deficiency or an impaired glucose tolerance level, have also been linked to meta-inflammation and joint damage [4b].

Who is at risk for developing Osteoarthritis?

There are several risk factors that can increase a person's chances of developing osteoarthritis. Most people with osteoarthritis have one or more of these factors. These include [5,6, 6b]: • Excess weight - Excess weight puts additional stress on the joints. Because they are forced to carry more weight than they can manage, this wears down the joints and can lead to arthritis. • Age - The risk of developing many types of arthritis — including osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis increases with age. • Sex – Women are more likely than men to develop osteoarthritis, but it’s not clear why. • Previous joint injury - any traumatic injury to the joints can weaken them and lead to the development of arthritis. People who have injured a joint in the past (i.e. traumatic injury or accident) are more likely to eventually develop arthritis in that particular joint. • Work factors - Jobs in which people carry out repetitive movements or do a great deal of heavy lifting, can cause stress in the joints and/or an injury, which can lead to arthritis. - Osteoarthritis of the knee has been linked to certain occupations that require frequent squatting and kneeling, including cotton processing, dock work, shipyard work, and carpentry. - Osteoarthritis of the hip has been linked to farm work, construction work, and other activities that require heavy lifting, prolonged standing, or walking several miles each day.

Symptoms

The primary symptoms of arthritis are joint pain, tenderness, and stiffness: Pain - This is the primary symptom for most osteoarthritis sufferers. Pain is centered around the joint and is usually made worse during or after movement. In some cases, the pain may be severe enough to prevent you from carrying out your normal day-to-day activities Tenderness - Tenderness is another common symptom that is experienced by many osteoarthritis sufferers. The joint may feel tender when you apply light pressure to it and may be accompanied by redness and swelling. You may find that ice packs, heating pads or pain creams applied directly to the joint may help. Stiffness - Joint stiffness is most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity. It usually gets better as the day goes on or with light movement. Unfortunately, stiffness of the joint usually gets worse with time as the disease progresses. To combat joint stiffness think about starting up moderate exercise. Loss of flexibility - With osteoarthritis you may not be able to move your joint through its full range of motion. This means your range of movement is limited and moving your joint left, right or rotating it around may be extremely painful. Grating sensation – sufferers sometimes hear or feel a grating sensation when using the joint. Instability of the joint – Giving way or buckling is a common symptom in knee osteoarthritis.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of osteoarthritis is a relatively straightforward one for your doctor to make. During the physical exam, your doctor will check your joints for swelling, redness, and warmth. He or she will also want to see how well you can move your joints or if you have reduced range of motion. Depending on the type of arthritis suspected (i.e. rheumatoid arthritis, gouty arthritis), your doctor may also suggest some additional tests like a blood test to look for certain proteins in the blood or a joint fluid sample (aspiration of the joint). Imaging tests such as Xrays or an MRI are also used to confirm the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

Treatment

There is no single treatment for osteoarthritis. However, there are steps you can take to help deal with its symptoms. In general, the management of arthritis is directed towards reducing symptoms and slowing down any further deterioration of the joint. Here are some of the more well-known treatment options: First line medications — Once diagnosed with osteoarthritis, there are some medications that your doctor might initially suggest. The majority of these drugs are used to manage the pain of arthritis and includes things like acetaminophen, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and intra-articular glucocorticoids (joint injections that reduced pain, swelling, and inflammation) Lifestyle changes - Just as important as medications (if not more so) are lifestyle changes that can be made, such as starting an exercise program, physiotherapy, weight loss or diet modifications [7]. Sometimes these changes are suggested before the medications because of the positive effect they can have on reducing joint pain. 

Exercise - Exercises are great for building (and maintaining) joint strength, flexibility, and mobility. Swimming, aerobic classes, yoga and tai chi are all exercises that can help with joint mobility. Stretching - Exercise on its own is great but combined with stretching it's even better. One of the best times to stretch is after a workout, as part of a cool-down routine. This is when the muscles are most warm and pliable, which makes it much easier to stretch and improve flexibility. Joint supplements and creams - The arthritis joint supplement industry is a rich field full of well-known products like Capsaicin, Glucosamine or Chondroitin. Recent studies have also found the supplement Wagonin to provide pain relief and possibly even repair some cartilage damage. It is a natural compound found in the root of the Skullcap Baicalensis plant and is thought to be a safe and highly effective natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant [8]. A recent 2017 study found that Wogonin suppressed oxidative stress, inflammation and bone degradation in osteoarthritis [9], making it a strong contender for achievable joint relief. In fact, the research behind Wogonin is a possible game-changer in the management of osteoarthritis symptoms. In a study published in the journal Biomolecules & Therapeutics, it was found that Wogonin suppresses some of the very molecules that are responsible for the destruction of cartilage in the joints [10].