Osteoarthritis: What is the best treatment?

Arthritis can be broadly classified into 2 main groups:

1. Osteoarthritis (OA) or degenerative joint disease, and
2. Inflammatory arthritis (caused by an overactive immune system) such as
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Gout
• Spondyloarthropathies

In Singapore, osteoarthritis (OA) joint pain is the most common form of arthritis affecting up to 10 per cent of adults and 20 per cent of the elderly population.

Associate Professor Katy Leung, Senior Consultant from the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology at Singapore General Hospital (SGH), a member of the SingHealth group explains, “Osteoarthritis is common. It affects the whole joint, including cartilage, a slippery tissue that cushions the ends of bones in a joint; the joint capsule (or synovium) and the muscle around it.”

She adds, “Our joints help us to mobilise, but if the joints are damaged, it hurts. The end stage is cartilage loss with bones rubbing together causing pain, swelling and loss of flexibility. Although not life-threatening, osteoarthritis can affect daily life.”

Symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA)

During early stage osteoarthritis, joint pain or aching comes and goes. It may only occur after a whole day of using joints, like walking for a long period of time, or after climbing stairs. Some may feel stiff when getting​ up after prolonged sitting. However as osteoarthritis progresses, the pain and stiffness become more frequent and do not go away. Symptoms include:

• Joint pain
• Swelling and stiffness of the affected joints, which is more in the mornings and when you get up from chairs. The pain also tends to worsen during cold weather.
• Changes in the surrounding joints. Your knees, your finger knobs may appear bigger than when you were young.
• Warmth – The arthritic joint may feel warm to the touch.
• Crepitation – A sensation of grating or grinding in the affected joint caused by rubbing of damaged cartilage surfaces.
• Walking difficulties, including walking downstairs / down slopes, and when you walk for long distances.

Read more: Have knee pain? Try these knee stretching and strengthening exercises!

Treatment of osteoarthritis (OA)

As there is no medication to cure osteoarthritis symptoms or prevent cartilage loss, some treatments help people to cope better with the disease. Treatment options vary according to the severity of the disease. In early cases, osteoarthritis treatment involves:

1. Weight management is important. The more you weigh, the higher the load is transferred to your leg joints and the higher the chance the condition will progress.
2. Physiotherapy to help strengthen muscles and improve joint flexibility. Strong muscles are the greatest support to joints, on the contrary weak muscles transfer more load to joints and make them worse in the long term.
3. Exercises to strengthen muscles and protect your joints.
4. Rest and lifestyle modication
5. Use of mild painkillers such as paracetamol
6. The use of supplements like glucosamine and chondroitin may help to relieve pain in some patients.
7. In some cases, use of a movement aid (e.g. a walking stick), braces or different insoles may be helpful.

What is your best defence against osteoarthitis? Protect your joints, Assoc Prof Leung advises.

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