OSTEOARTHRITIS
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis. Some people call it degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis. It occurs most frequently in the hands, hips, and knees. With OA, the cartilage within a joint begins to break down and the underlying bone begins to change.
If your child needs surgery or casting, our Fracture Care Clinic opens every day and you do not need an appointment. Surgery rooms get scheduled every morning, so your child receives the care and attention they need right away.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis happens when the cartilage in the joints breaks down over time because of wear and tear. Consequently, this degenerative disorder causes joint pain during movement. It mostly begins during middle age. But in some cases, it may also develop in childhood. When symptoms start showing up in childhood, it is called secondary or early-onset osteoarthritis.
The most common form of arthritis, Osteoarthritis occurs when the protective cushioning cartilage at the ends of the bones wears down over time. Even Though osteoarthritis can damage any joint, it most commonly affects weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hands, hips, and spine.
When it comes to managing and treating osteoarthritis (OA), the symptoms are usually manageable. However, unfortunately, the damage to joints is irreversible. Things that can help are staying active, healthy weight maintenance, and getting treatments. These might slow down the progression of the disease while improving pain and joint mobility.
Parts Of The Body Affected
Are you wondering what parts of the body osteoarthritis affect? Well, OA affects different individuals and different joints in different ways. It is quite common in older people. However, also, in children up to 18 years of age, this degenerative disease commonly affects the weight-bearing joints such as knees, hips, feet and hands, lower back, and neck.
The knee
Knees are a common target in this case because the knee has to deal with extreme stresses, twists, and turns.
The hip
It is another commonplace. Hip OA is common both in men and women.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is osteoarthritis in children, and how does it develop?
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease that primarily affects the cartilage, the protective tissue that cushions the ends of bones in a joint. In children, it is less common than in adults but can occur due to various factors such as joint injuries, congenital joint abnormalities, or underlying medical conditions. Osteoarthritis in children is often referred to as juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) or juvenile osteoarthritis when it affects young individuals.
What are the common symptoms of osteoarthritis in children, and how is it diagnosed?
Common symptoms of osteoarthritis in children can include:
- Joint pain and stiffness, especially in the morning or after periods of inactivity.
- Swelling and warmth in the affected joints.
- Reduced joint range of motion and, in severe cases, joint deformities. To diagnose osteoarthritis in children, a pediatric rheumatologist typically conducts a thorough clinical evaluation, which may include imaging studies like X-rays or MRIs. Blood tests may also be performed to rule out other forms of juvenile arthritis or medical conditions.
How is osteoarthritis in children treated, and what can parents do to help their child manage the condition?
- Treatment for osteoarthritis in children aims to manage pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function. Common treatment options include:
- Medications: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) may be prescribed to manage pain and inflammation.
- Physical therapy: Physical therapy exercises help improve joint range of motion and strengthen the muscles around affected joints.
- Occupational therapy: Occupational therapy focuses on enhancing the child’s ability to perform daily activities.
- Assistive devices: Devices like splints, braces, or orthotics can provide support and alleviate joint stress.
- Lifestyle modifications: Encourage a balanced diet, maintain a healthy weight, and engage in low-impact exercises to reduce strain on the joints.
- Regular follow-ups: Frequent visits to the healthcare provider are essential to monitor the child’s condition, adjust treatment as needed, and address any concerns.
It’s important for parents to work closely with pediatric rheumatologists and other healthcare providers to create a personalized treatment plan for their child’s osteoarthritis. Early diagnosis and appropriate management can help children lead a more comfortable and active life while minimizing the impact of the disease.
The doctors at Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists treat children with Osteoarthritis, which is a degenerative joint disease, in which the tissues in the joint break down over time.
The hand and wrist
Osteoarthritis of the hands mainly affects women after menopause. It usually develops as part of the condition of nodal osteoarthritis.
The back and neck
Osteoarthritis often affects the bones of the spine and the discs.
The foot and ankle
Osteoarthritis of the foot generally affects the big toe. However, it can also develop in the mid-foot. Here, the ankle is the least commonly affected area.
The shoulder
The shoulder has two joints – the glenohumeral joint and the acromioclavicular joint. And both of these can be affected by OA.
The elbow
OA usually does not develop in this area. In most cases, it follows injuries.
The jaw
The cartilage in this joint is prone to wear. Here, osteoarthritis often starts at a younger age than in other joints.
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) often develop gradually and slowly worsen over time. The common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis are:
Pain: When you move your joints, they might hurt.
Lack of flexibility: Your child may find it difficult to move their joint with a full range of motion.
Stiffness: Joint stiffness is the most noticeable right after awakening or after your child has been inactive for a short time.
Tenderness: When you apply light pressure to or near the joints, it might feel tender.
Grating sensation: Parents might hear a crackling or popping sound or feel a grating sensation when they move their child’s joint.
Bone spurs: Extra pieces of bone can develop around the affected joint. And these growths can feel like hard lumps.
Swelling: The soft tissue inflammation around the joint can often cause swelling.
Long Lasting Effects
In most cases, osteoarthritis does not cause severe problems. However, the complications that may develop from severe osteoarthritis are:
- Poor sleep because of pain
- Losing the ability to exercise
- Deformity because of swelling of the joint
- Difficulty in performing daily tasks such as climbing stairs or rising from a chair
- As osteoarthritis is a long-term condition, it may cause stress and anxiety.
How to Prevent Progression
Doctors can slow osteoarthritis progression. Healthy lifestyle choices that improve joint pain are here.
It is a result of various factors. By modifying these factors, doctors can effectively prevent osteoarthritis progression. Here are some expert recommendations:
Healthy Body Weight
Excess weight puts additional pressure on the hips and knees. And this extra strain breaks down the cartilage between the joints. Gradually it becomes painful and gets worse over time.
Also, apart from this mechanical stress, fat is another problem. Fat tissue produces cytokines that promote inflammation throughout the body. For obese people with OA, losing weight can improve their condition.
Control Blood Sugar
High blood sugar promotes the development of specific molecules that make cartilage more sensitive to mechanical stress. Also, they become stiffer. Diabetes can cause systemic inflammation as well causing cartilage loss.
Physical Activity
It is the best available treatment for OA. In fact, it is one of the best ways to keep joints healthy. Physical activity helps joints stay flexible and strengthens the muscles that support weight-bearing joints.
Protect Joints
Injuries are not always avoidable. However, protecting your child’s joints can prevent Osteoarthritis from getting worse. Do exercises and after an injury, maintain a healthy weight. It can help protect against further joint damage.
Choose a Healthy Lifestyle
There are certain risk factors that parents cannot change. For example, as people age, OA becomes more common. Lower estrogen levels can cause OA. That is why women tend to develop this problem after menopause. Also, some people inherit genes that make them more likely to develop OA.
Diagnosis
OA is a disease that develops gradually. And it can be difficult to diagnose until the symptoms start showing up. An X-ray can help diagnose this condition.
Along with X-rays, doctors may also use an MRI. This imaging test utilizes radio waves and a magnetic field to make images of bone and soft tissues.
Blood tests also help diagnose the conditions causing joint pain. Another option is a synovial (joint) fluid analysis. It can help determine the underlying cause of inflammation and discomfort.
Treatments
Well, there is no cure for osteoarthritis. However, there are ways to treat and manage mild to moderate symptoms. Doctors usually recommend a combination of pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic treatments. The common medical treatments and recommendations are:
- Medications.
- Land- and water-based exercises.
- Using hot and cold packs.
- Occupational, physical, and exercise therapy.
- Weight loss if your child is obese.
- Eating Healthy
- Managing diabetes and cholesterol.
- Using supportive devices such as braces, orthotics, shoe inserts, a cane, or a walker.
- Injection therapies such as steroids, and hyaluronic acid “gel”.
- Following complementary and alternative medicine strategies that include vitamins and supplements.
- Surgery may help with relieving pain and restoring function when other medical treatments are ineffective. Also, surgery may be the only solution when your child has advanced OA.
Surgical Options
- Joint replacement surgery
- Keyhole surgery techniques – It helps remove all the loose fragments of bone and other tissue that develop around the knee. It is also called arthroscopic lavage.
- Joint fusion – In this procedure, surgeons surgically fix the bones in a joint together. It prevents unnatural movement of the joint and thus relieves pain.
The treatment will help:
- Reduce joint pain and stiffness while preventing further progression.
- Enhance function and mobility.
- Improve the quality of life.
- The type of recommended treatment depends on various factors including the patient’s age, health, occupation, activities, and severity of the condition.
Conclusion
If your child is developing symptoms of OA or if the parent is not sure, it is better to consult professional orthopedic doctors and spine specialists like us. We will perform an advanced diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment so your child can get fast relief and get back to a productive lifestyle.
Also, if your OA condition is quite advanced and you are thinking of having surgery for your child, we would recommend you take some time and know what you can expect from it, the possible risks, etc. Also, we will let you know how you can best prepare for the surgery and plan ahead for a quick recovery for your child.
Selecting a pediatric orthopedic doctor for your child is a crucial decision that requires careful consideration. By seeking recommendations, researching credentials, assessing hospital affiliations, reviewing patient testimonials, evaluating communication and bedside manner, considering the supportive team, discussing treatment options, seeking second opinions, prioritizing accessibility, and trusting your instincts, you can make an informed choice. Remember, finding the right orthopedic doctor will ensure that your child receives the best possible care, leading to optimal outcomes and a healthier, happier future. The Medical City Children’s Orthopedics and Spine Specialists doctors only treat children. With offices in Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco, and McKinney, TX. Doctors Shyam Kishan, Richard Hostin, and Kathryn Wiesman have spent years studying children’s health and have devoted their lives to treating them.
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Footnote:
Call 214-556-0590 to make an appointment.
Comprehensive services for children from birth through adolescence at five convenient locations: Arlington, Dallas, Flower Mound, Frisco and McKinney.