Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that most often affects middle-age to elderly people. It causes pain, swelling, and reduced motion in the joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects the hands, knees, hips or spine.
Risk factors for osteoarthritis include
Being overweight
Getting older
Injuring a joint
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the following symptoms:
Joint pain
Joint stiffness
Joint tenderness
Limited range-of-motion
Crepitus (crackling, grinding noise with movement)
Joint effusion (swelling)
Local inflammation
Bony enlargements and osteophyte formation
Most often doctors detect OA based on the typical symptoms (described earlier) and on results of the physical exam. In some cases, X-rays or other imaging tests may be useful to tell the extent of disease or to help rule out other joint problems.
1Chronic Pain
related to:
muscle spasm,
surgical procedures
chronic joint disease,
age,
anxiety
-
Anxiety
relate to:
operative procedures -
Risk for Injury
related to:
mobility changes secondary to osteoarthritis -
Risk for Infection
related to:
inadequate secondary defenses,
Long-term use of corticosteroids,
manipulation invasive surgical procedures,
decreased mobility. -
Impaired Physical Mobility
related to:
pain and discomfort,
muskoleskeletal disorder,
surgical therapy -
Knowledge Deficit: about condition, prognosis, and treatment needs
related to:
lack of information.