Painful and Stiff Joints? Learn What Osteoarthritis Is

Illustration of osteoarthritis (Pinterest/WebMD)

YOGYAKARTA - Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease, particularly in older adults. This condition is characterized by damage to the cartilage that acts as a cushion between bones.

As we age, cartilage loses its elasticity, resulting in increased friction between bones. This then causes inflammation, pain, and limited joint movement.

This disease can affect various joints in the body, but most cases are found in the fingers, knees, hips, and spine. Symptoms develop slowly over time, ranging from mild pain to severe limitations in daily activities.

Therefore, it is crucial to understand the diagnosis of osteoarthritis so that sufferers can receive early treatment before joint damage becomes more severe.

Osteoarthritis Diagnosis

What is an osteoarthritis diagnosis? A diagnosis of osteoarthritis usually begins with identifying the typical symptoms experienced by the patient. The three main symptoms, or triad, of osteoarthritis include joint pain, stiffness, and limited range of motion (ROM).

Osteoarthritis pain is generally deep, diffuse, progressive, and worsens with activity. In the early stages, pain may be relieved with pain relievers, but as the disease progresses, the pain becomes more persistent.

Joint stiffness is also a characteristic sign of osteoarthritis, usually experienced in the morning (morning stiffness) or after prolonged inactivity. Sufferers also often complain of difficulty moving the joints, making even simple activities like climbing stairs, grasping objects, or walking long distances challenging.

Regarding the risk of osteoarthritis, not everyone is at the same risk. Age is a major factor; the older a person is, the greater the likelihood of cartilage damage.

Furthermore, obesity puts excessive pressure on the body's supporting joints, such as the knees and hips. A family history of osteoarthritis also increases a person's likelihood of developing it.

Furthermore, a history of joint injury, congenital abnormalities, and other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis or hemochromatosis also increase the risk of osteoarthritis. Jobs that involve repetitive movements or excessive pressure on the joints can also accelerate joint damage.

Furthermore, after taking a medical history or interview regarding the patient's complaints, the doctor will perform a physical examination of the affected joint. Some common signs include bone enlargement, tenderness, limited motion, and crepitus.

In cases of hand osteoarthritis, Heberden's nodes (swelling of the DIP joint), Bouchard's nodes (swelling of the PIP joint), and changes in the shape of the base of the thumb are often seen. To confirm the diagnosis, radiological examinations such as X-rays are the gold standard.

Typical signs seen on X-rays include narrowing of the joint space, the formation of osteophytes (bone spurs), subchondral sclerosis, and the appearance of bone cysts. In certain cases, MRI can be used to view damage to the cartilage, menisci, tendons, and muscles surrounding the joint.

The diagnosis of osteoarthritis also refers to criteria established by medical institutions, such as the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR). These criteria include a combination of clinical symptoms, age, radiological examination results, and laboratory tests.

For example, for knee osteoarthritis, the criteria include knee pain, crepitus, stiffness lasting less than 30 minutes, age over 50, and bony enlargement of the knee joint.

For hand osteoarthritis, the diagnosis is confirmed if there is pain or stiffness in the hand accompanied by tissue enlargement in several characteristic joints, although it usually does not involve the MCP (metacarpophalangeal) joints. Meanwhile, for hip osteoarthritis, the diagnosis can be confirmed if there is hip pain, limited internal rotation, narrowing of the joint space, or the presence of osteophytes on radiology.

Furthermore, a differential diagnosis is necessary to distinguish osteoarthritis from other joint diseases that have similar symptoms, such as gout and rheumatoid arthritis.

Gout is characterized by sudden attacks of pain, redness, warmth in the joints, and high uric acid levels. Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, has systemic symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and weight loss and usually indicates a positive rheumatoid factor.

Finally, laboratory tests. Although not used as a primary diagnosis, they still play an important role. For example, blood tests can help confirm or differentiate osteoarthritis from rheumatoid arthritis or joint infections.