It may sound scary… but osteoarthritis is a disease that all elderly people are at risk of, and some people who have this disease may not show any symptoms, which can lead to the condition worsening. Therefore, to get to know and find ways to prevent this disease, let’s talk with Dr. Mangkon Tiyaphudis from the Orthopedic Surgery Center, Phyathai Sriracha Hospital.
The older you get… the higher the risk of osteoarthritis
Dr. Mangkon explains that osteoarthritis is a type of arthritis characterized by the erosion of cartilage at the ends of two connecting bones. This disease can occur in both men and women, with 5 risk groups as follows:
- People aged 50 and over who do heavy work or use their joints extensively
- People aged 70 and over, with a prevalence of 80-90%
- People who are overweight; the heavier the weight, the higher the risk of osteoarthritis, especially in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips
- People who have improper joint use behaviors, such as sitting cross-legged, squatting, or kneeling for long periods regularly
- People with rheumatoid arthritis, joint infections, or joint injuries that cause cartilage damage, leading to osteoarthritis
Pain and stiffness when moving… see a doctor immediately
People with osteoarthritis will have the following observable symptoms:
- Hearing a cracking sound when moving the joint; some may develop bone spurs as the body’s mechanism to strengthen the joint
- Feeling pain when moving due to the friction of real bone surfaces; some with increasing pain will try to avoid moving the painful area, which may lead to muscle weakness
- Experiencing joint stiffness and difficulty moving after waking up
- Deformed legs, such as bowed or outward knees, with limited ability to straighten fully
Knee examination to assess disease severity
Dr. Mangkon says the diagnosis includes:
- Physical examination or bone examination by an orthopedic specialist
- X-ray or MRI imaging of the bones
- Bone mass density measurement (Bone Mass Densitometry or BMD)
6 treatment approaches… to improve the quality of life for the elderly
Dr. Mangkon explained the treatment approaches for osteoarthritis as follows:
- Physical therapy to help relax muscle tension and reduce pain, with the doctor selecting the appropriate therapy method
- Medication to reduce inflammation and joint pain, allowing patients to return to normal life
- Injection of lubricants or artificial joint fluid to increase joint lubrication and reduce pain
- Arthroscopic debridement surgery to diagnose and clean the joint, smooth the joint surface, or repair torn ligaments or meniscus
- Corrective osteotomy surgery to realign the knee bone to better bear weight and distribute force
- Joint replacement surgery for patients who cannot be managed with medication or physical therapy. This method corrects abnormalities caused by osteoarthritis and helps patients move better without pain. The materials used for knee prostheses include cobalt alloy and special polyethylene, which closely mimic natural cartilage surfaces and are safe for tissues
If your elderly relatives or close ones have problems such as knee pain and suspect osteoarthritis, you can consult a specialist in osteoarthritis rehabilitation at the Orthopedic Center, Phyathai Sriracha Hospital.
Dr. Mangkon Tiyaphudis
Orthopedic Surgery Specialist
Musculoskeletal Center, Phyathai Sriracha Hospital
