Understanding and Managing Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Innovative Treatments
This article explores how osteoarthritis is diagnosed using imaging and lab tests, and discusses current and emerging treatments. Emphasis is placed on symptom management and innovative therapies targeting disease progression. The piece provides valuable insights for patients and healthcare providers seeking comprehensive osteoarthritis care options.
Understanding and Managing Osteoarthritis: Diagnosis and Innovative Treatments
Osteoarthritis (OA) is often identified during routine health check-ups. Doctors examine joints for swelling, tenderness, and mobility issues. If OA is suspected, further tests are conducted.
Imaging techniques such as X-rays or MRIs help visualize joint alterations. X-rays reveal joint space narrowing and bone spurs, whereas MRIs can visualize cartilage directly. MRI usage is reserved for complex cases.
Blood tests help exclude other arthritis types like rheumatoid arthritis.
Joint fluid analysis assists in detecting inflammation levels and ruling out infections or other sources of pain.
Managing Osteoarthritis
Most interventions focus on alleviating symptoms rather than curing OA. Pain relievers like acetaminophen help ease discomfort. Mild to moderate cases may benefit from NSAIDs to reduce pain and inflammation, though prolonged use can cause liver, kidney, gastrointestinal, or cardiovascular issues. Severe cases may require opioids, which carry risks of dependence and side effects like constipation and nausea.
Emerging treatments target the disease itself. Calcitonin, a hormone that inhibits bone-resorbing cells and promotes bone formation, is used for conditions like osteoporosis and Bone metastases. Researchers are also exploring antibodies that block pro-inflammatory proteins—since inflammation drives OA progression—such as cytokines involving NF-kB pathways. Treatments like infliximab and etanercept, which target TNFα, are approved for rheumatoid arthritis and may hold potential for OA. Other approaches aim at regulating growth factors and blood vessel formation within subchondral bone, which are implicated in advanced OA stages.
