Ayako Fujinami writes:
Yoko Kashiwagi has been feeling more and more fatigued lately, and the crackling and stiffness in her left knee sometimes is very painful. In addition, she has noticed that her left knee gets swollen and red. Many people including her confuse osteoarthritis with rheumatoid arthritis. But there are many differences between these two diseases. Osteoarthritis usually begins after age 40, usually develops slowly, over several years. Ms Kashiwagi is 42-year old, and over the two year she has been finding it is more difficult to move her left knee. Osteoarthritis often begins in joints on only one side of body. She feels pain only in her left knee. It usually doesn't cause inflammation (redness, warmth, and swelling) in the joint. She said her left knee gets swollen and red. On the other hand, rheumatoid arthritis often develops suddenly, within weeks or months. It usually affects the same joint on both sides of the body. So, she doesn't have rheumatoid arthritis but osteoarthritis.
But if I give her a second diagnosis, I need more data. For example, when does t hurt, when did the pain first start, is there any swelling, which daily tasks are hard to do and has the joint ever been injured or overused. I need this information to determine the type of arthritis she has. In addition, I need more information such as her family health history, any medications she is taking, and allergies to any medications. Her father underwent ACL reconstruction surgery last year. So she has much risk to have osteoarthritis. The information of medications is very important to treat her. If she has any allergies, I must think about medicines to give her.
The goal of every treatment for arthritis is to reduce pain and stiffness, allow for greater movement, and slow the progression of the disease. For example, weight loss and exercise are usually the first treatment recommended. Being overweight is the most common cause of excess pressure on the joints and can increase her risk of developing osteoarthritis. She has gained 7 or 8 kilos for two years. So if she has osteoarthritis, she might be weight loss. Because weight loss can help reduce the pain and stiffness in the affected joints, especially those in the knee. Exercise also helps she reach or maintain a healthy weight. And it strengthens the muscle, improves the flexibility of the joints, and can make her feel better mentally and emotionally. So if she has osteoarthritis, she might exercise but it's important to talk to her doctor before she begins any regular exercise program.
Also, heat and cold are good for people who has osteoarthritis. A hot shower in the morning is all they need to loosen their stiff joints, and applying cold can be helpful for short-term pain relief. Arthritis medications reduce pain in the joint. But no drugs can actually stop the progression of the disease or cure it, and drugs can many medicines such as acetaminophen, NSAIDs, Ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin. Before taking them, she must go to her doctor. In addition, there is another treatment. It is surgery. If she have knee replacement surgery, she will probably spend no more than 7 days in the hospital. But surgery is usually done only in sever, and she doesn't want to have surgery. So she doesn't have to have it.
There are many things for her to do now. First, those who do best are managing their disease in partnership with their doctor. So she should find her best doctor. Second, she should learn how to manage her pain, control her weight, and use exercise most effectively. Third it is good to find and join a support group of other people who have arthritis. Forth, she can protect her joints by learning new ways to use them. For example, arrange furniture not to use her knee. Her bedroom, bathroom etc are in one floor. And she should have more exercise. It is best to exercise several times throughout the day for short periods. If she have sharp pain or more pain than usual. She should stop exercise, and talk her doctor so. There are many kinds of exercise to help her. For example, swimming is especially good for her knee, because the water supports her weight. The most important thing for her now is a positive attitude.
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