Old age and Osteoarthritis
One of the most challenging things about old age is probably the lack of Independence. It’s not a good feeling to constantly depend on someone to move around the house. Many old people detest this immobility because they view it as loss of dignity. They are right in thinking so because no one would want to inconvenience other people every time they want to take a step. This comes with a lot of self-pity and frustration which takes a toll on their mood and behaviour.
Osteoarthritis is a painful disease and family and caretakers of an osteoarthritis patient should treat them with care and empathy. The main symptom of this disease is relentless pain which results in immobility. The pain increases with physical activity and subsides after a period of rest. But the pain is crippling and hinders the patient’s ability to move around. Another dreadful symptom of this disease is stiffness which occurs in the morning. The pain transcends to the joints and causes swelling and occasional fluid secretion.  To empathize better, the pain can be described as sharp with a slight burning sensation. If the joints are touched or disturbed, the patient experiences muscle spasms and contractions.
Now that it is clear that an Osteoarthritis patient goes through extreme pain each and every day of their life, it is essential to know the treatment methods that will help them recover. There are various treatment methods ranging from Lifestyle changes like reducing excess weight and regular exercise that can help with the main symptoms. Massage therapies and regular orthopaedic sessions can also be effective.
Though there are medicines that can control the symptoms, the most effective treatment method is Replacement Surgery. Knee and Hip replacement surgeries have proven to be extremely efficient in eliminating pain and a large percentage of the patients do not face any recurring pain. During a hip or knee replacement, a surgeon removes the damaged surfaces of the joint and replaces them with plastic or metal implants. This gets rid of the pain because the diseased cartilage and bone are no longer present. There are various multispecialty hospitals in Chennai with distinguished Ortho specialists who can help your loved ones regain mobility in no time.










