آسٹیو آرتھرائٹس ایک عام بیماری ہے جس میں جوڑوں کا کارٹیلیج گھسنے لگتا ہے، جس کی وجہ سے ہڈیوں کے سرے ایک دوسرے سے رگڑ کھاتے ہیں۔ آسٹیو آرتھرائٹس کو عام زبان میں جوڑوں کی پرانی سوزش بھی کہا جاتا ہے۔ یہ مرض عمر کے ساتھ بڑھتا ہے اور عموماً گھٹنوں، کولہوں، ہاتھوں اور ریڑھ کی ہڈی کے جوڑوں کو متاثر کرتا ہے۔
Orthopedic Surgeon, Spinal Surgeon
MBBS, FCPS (Orthopedic Surgery) , FICS (USA)
Orthopedic Surgeon, Pediatric Orthopedic Surgeon, Spinal Surgeon
MBBS, FCPS,(Orthopedic Surgery, Ghurki)
Osteoarthritis meaning in Urdu is “جوڑوں کی سوجن اور درد کی حالت جو عمر بڑھنے کے ساتھ بڑھتی ہے”. It is the most common form of arthritis. It happens when the soft, protective layer (called cartilage) between your bones starts to wear away over time.
This makes the bones rub against each other, which can cause pain, swelling, and stiffness. It usually affects the knees, hips, hands, and spine. Anyone can get it, but it’s more common in older people.
When the cartilage is gone, it can lead to more pain and even small bone growths (called bone spurs). Osteoarthritis cannot be fully cured, but early treatment, exercise, healthy habits, and medicines can help reduce pain and make daily life easier.
Osteoarthritis symptoms develop slowly and worsen over time. Watch for the following signs:
Joint pain during or after movement
Stiffness, especially in the morning
Swelling around joints
Tenderness when pressing on the joint
Loss of flexibility
Popping sounds
Bone spurs around the affected joint
Contact a doctor immediately if you notice:
Sudden increase in joint pain or swelling
Redness in the joint
Difficulty bearing weight
Noticeable joint deformities
Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the joints gradually breaks down. Causes include:
Aging
Natural wear-and-tear
Previous joint injuries
Repetitive stress on a joint
Joint abnormalities from birth
Being overweight or obese
Weak muscles around joints
Family history of osteoarthritis
Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis
Several factors can increase the risk of osteoarthritis:
Age above 50 years
Female gender
Obesity
Joint injuries from sports
Genetics
Sedentary lifestyle
Bone deformities
Although osteoarthritis can’t always be prevented, the following steps can lower the risk:
Maintain a healthy weight
Exercise regularly to strengthen joints
Avoid repetitive stress on joints
Use proper posture during activities
Treat joint injuries promptly
Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium and vitamin D
Avoid high-impact sports if you’re at risk
Get regular checkups for joint pain
Osteoarthritis can develop in different ways depending on its cause and progression. Here are the main types:
This type happens naturally with age. It is caused by wear and tear on the joints over time. It usually develops slowly and affects older adults. Common areas include knees, hips, hands, and the spine.
This type occurs as a result of an underlying condition or event that damages the joint. Its causes include joint injuries, obesity, birth defects, or diseases like diabetes or arthritis. Secondary osteoarthritis can affect people of any age.
Osteoarthritis can also be classified depending on which part of the joint is affected first:
This type begins in the cartilage, the smooth tissue covering the ends of bones. When cartilage wears down, the joint becomes stiff and painful.
Here, the problem starts in the ligaments around the joint. Injuries or weakness in these ligaments can lead to osteoarthritis over time.
This type develops when the meniscus, the cartilage cushion in the knee, gets injured or starts to break down.
Osteoarthritis can also begin in the joint lining, called the synovium. Inflammation in this layer can trigger pain and swelling.
Sometimes osteoarthritis originates from the bones themselves or from nerve-related joint problems, affecting how the joint moves.
In this type, multiple parts of the joint are affected at the same time. This leads to more widespread joint problems.
Doctors may use the following methods to diagnose osteoarthritis:
Medical history and physical examination
Assessment of joint movement and tenderness
X-rays to check cartilage loss
MRI for detailed joint imaging
Joint fluid analysis to rule out other causes
Blood tests to exclude autoimmune arthritis
Pain relievers
NSAIDs
Topical pain creams
Corticosteroid injections
Hyaluronic acid injections for joint lubrication
Strengthening exercises
Range-of-motion stretches
Hot and cold therapy
Use of assistive devices
Weight loss to reduce pressure on joints
Low-impact exercises (like swimming, walking)
Healthy diet rich in anti-inflammatory foods
Avoiding overuse of joints
Joint replacement (hip/knee)
Osteotomy (bone realignment)
Joint fusion (in severe cases)
Without proper treatment, osteoarthritis can lead to:
Chronic joint
Severe joint stiffness
Decreased mobility
Joint deformity
Muscle weakness
Sleep disturbances due to pain
Social withdrawal
Depression
Increased risk of falls in older adults
Need for joint replacement surgery
Reduced quality of life
Marham enables you to communicate with experienced healthcare professionals to obtain professional guidance. Through Marham, you can find the best specialist for osteoarthritis who provides expert treatment advice.
The Marham platform strives to offer expert-reviewed information, including error elimination, to all its consumers. Patients should always consult experts for medical advice instead of relying on this information. The information available on this page is for general information purposes.