Bones degenerate with passing age because we use them most frequently. Movement of joints, doing an action, and performing locomotive activities need energy. Moreover, calcium from bones is released into the bloodstream when needed. So it’s important to balance the absorption of calcium into blood with proper intake. Consulting an orthopedic doctor, in this case, is vital step otherwise weak bones can catch the disease and get injured easily. 

Get to know arthritis

Arthritis is a painful joint disease that causes joint inflammation. It may affect single or multiple joints at a time. Usually, it affects after the age of 60 but nowadays younger people also complaining about this disease. According to a survey, it is more common among women especially those who deliver babies. Bones become weak after a women give birth to a child and are more susceptible to injury or disease as a lot of calcium is consumed by the baby during pregnancy to grow. 

Arthritis has many forms but the most common and prominent ones are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Our joints are engulfed by a synovial membrane which acts as a protective layer over internal joint parts. In rheumatoid arthritis, the body’s immune system attacks this membrane causing swelling and inflammation. If left unnoticed the disease ultimately damages cartilage and other joint areas.

The arthritis found very common among people is osteoarthritis. Joints are cushioned with cartilage which helps to reduce friction when joints move. It covers the ends of the bones protecting them from any damage due to friction. In osteoarthritis this cartilage wear and tear with frequent use. Although it can affect any of the joint in our body mostly affect hands, knees, hips and spinal joints. 

Causes of arthritis

Causes of arthritis are innumerable as it may occur due to an attack by the body’s immune system like in the case of rheumatoid arthritis or can also be due to wear and tear of cartilage as in osteoarthritis. But some people may develop arthritis as a family disease. It goes in the family as genes carry this disorder which makes the body more prone to get arthritis due to environmental factors causing it. Age is another important aspect that leads to arthritis. Bones get weak with age and are more susceptible to catch disease or injury. Arthritis is very commonly found among people 60 plus age. 

An injured joint may also develop arthritis in the future. So mild to severe injury shouldn’t be ignored instead get them treated rightfully to avoid such crucial developments like that of arthritis. Bodyweight counts a lot in this respect. Mostly weight-bearing joints fell to arthritis as in this case joints need more force to move which increases the risk of wear and tear. Moreover, joints like the knees, hips, and spine get more stressful as they are weight-bearing joints. 

Symptoms that arise

Symptoms of arthritis include:

• Tenderness
• Inflammation in the joint
• Started off with mild pains which increase day by day
• May develop redness around the joint
• Range at which joint moves get decrease
• Loss of appetite
• Tiredness 
• A person may feel a slight fever
• Slowly red blood cells may decrease in the body leading to anemic condition. 

How crucial it can become

Arthritis needs to be treated at the initial stages if not the symptoms may get worse causing immobility in some cases. Moreover in the case of rheumatoid arthritis affected joint may get twisted leading to deformity. 

Treatment provided by an orthopedic surgeon in Lahore

It is advised to immediately consult an orthopedic doctor for examination when one feels such symptoms. He will carefully examine the affected joint physically first to see the symptoms. Afterward, he prescribes some tests for diagnosing the disease better. There are multiple ways through which arthritis can be treated. Your orthopedic surgeon or doctor may use one or two methods or a combination of them to help you recover. Arthritis can be treated by proper rest, occupational therapy, medicines, exercise, or surgery by an orthopedic surgeon. 

Treatment through medicines

The most immediate urge is for pain relief which is possible with the use of painkillers. Also, the orthopedic doctor will prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs to reduce inflammation around the joint. Also, ointments, balms, and creams are applied topically for causing numbness in the joint to get temporary relief as treatment goes on. For treatment of rheumatoid arthritis best orthopedic surgeon or doctor may prescribe anti-rheumatic drugs that slow down the immune system so the power of attacking joints also slows down. 

Occupational therapy

Occupational therapy is also known as physical therapy where patients under the guidance of physiotherapists learn the right postures to work with and exercises to recover fast. The physiotherapist educates the patient on how to carry on daily tasks without putting much stress on the affected joint. Moreover, he helps to perform certain exercises to improve the mobility of joints and reduce inflammation. He may also apply braces to keep joint components align and at rest. 

Orthopedic surgery

When the disease is crucial and your doctor doesn’t see any improvement with the medicinal treatment he will prescribe you to an orthopedic surgeon. An orthopedic surgeon by surgery treats the diseased part. Either he tries to repair the damaged components or replace them totally with an artificial one. Hip, knee, shoulder, finger, and wrist joints can be replaced with an artificial joint made of stainless steel, plastic, or ceramics. This helps to return natural mobility with arthritis-free joints. Moreover, spinal and neck joint surgeries can also be performed to prevent arthritis from damaging the nerves. 

Precautions you can make

There are several precautions to keep arthritis at bay. If you are overweight or obese try to reduce weight it will reduce stress over the joints. Choose a healthy diet to eat as it will provide necessary nutrients to the body like intake of calcium, proteins, vitamins in a balanced way helps to strengthen bones thus reducing the risk of getting a disease. Antioxidants are very effective in reducing joint inflammation. Herbs and certain vegetables contain antioxidants so such things should be added to the daily diet. Moreover, massage the affected joints with oil, and don’t forget to exercise daily. 

Conclusion

Arthritis is something not to be ignored. When you feel the very first symptom of arthritis immediately turn to an orthopedic surgeon. Orthopedic surgeons in Lahore uses modern methods of treatment. They diagnose the disease properly and treat it accordingly.