Osteoarthritis in Older Adults

Aging is one of the strongest risk factors for osteoarthritis. While age-related changes to musculoskeletal systems increase the chances of seniors developing osteoarthritis, other risk factors for serious disease are more common. Here’s an up-close look at osteoarthritis in older adults.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory disease that primarily affects the older population. The disease is most commonly known as a form of arthritis. As a degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis develops as an outcome of wear and tear of cartilage within a joint. Underlying bones then start to change.

Osteoarthritis is a progressive and chronic disease, which means the changes worsen over time. The breakdown of cartilage is a gradual process. Once cartilage that covers the bones is lost, the bones rub against each other. What results are irritation, inflammation, stiffness, and pain around the joints.

How common is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a frequent cause of disability for older adults in the United States, with 32.5 million seniors suffering from the condition. Both aging men and women can experience the disease; most women develop the condition after age 55 and men about 10 years earlier.

What are risk factors for osteoarthritis?

The natural aging of the musculoskeletal system increases the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis. However, growing older is not the sole cause of the inflammatory joint disease. Many seniors age without developing osteoarthritis, and not all joints are affected to the same degree.

Osteoarthritis can develop as a consequence of joint injury, obesity, genetics, and anatomical factors that impact joint mechanics. Changes to either the outside or inside of the joints can contribute to the emergence of osteoarthritis, especially when other risk factors are present.

Joint injury can occur when seniors overuse or repetitively stress a joint. Examples of overuse include bending one’s knees or playing sports; similarly, repeatedly doing a job, like carpentry, can cause overuse injury. Damage to the joint increases the likelihood that osteoarthritis will develop in that joint.

Seniors living with obesity have a greater chance of developing osteoarthritis. Carrying extra weight in the body stresses the joints, particularly weightbearing joints, like the knees and hips. Osteoarthritis can develop in the joints that are stressed. Metabolic effects in obese seniors are also risk factors.

Genetics play a large role in whether or not a senior develops osteoarthritis. Older people with family members who suffer from the condition have a greater likelihood of experiencing the condition. Experts also conclude that people who have osteoarthritis of the hands may develop the disease in the knees.

What are symptoms of osteoarthritis?

Signs of osteoarthritis include pain, stiffness, tenderness and swelling, aches, and decreased range of motion (or loss of flexibility). Not all seniors with osteoarthritis feel pain. Those who experience mild pain may notice it comes and goes. Others may suffer severe joint pain.

Osteoarthritis of the hands can present as small, bony knobs on the end joints of fingers, called Heberden’s nodes. When the knobs appear on the middle joints of fingers, they are known as Bouchard’s nodes. Gnarly, enlarged, achy fingers are a result of hand osteoarthritis.

Seniors with knee osteoarthritis feel swelling, pain, and stiffness. These symptoms cause older people difficulty when climbing stairs or getting into or out of chairs. Osteoarthritis of the hips can limit bending and movement, which is a hurdle when seniors dress or put on shoes.

Neck and back pain or stiffness may be due to osteoarthritis of the spine. In some instances, the resulting arthritis-related changes in the spine can cause tingling, weakness, or numbness in the legs and arms. Bladder and bowel function are affected in severe cases of spine osteoarthritis.

How is osteoarthritis treated?

A senior who experiences pain or stiffness in the joints should undergo a medical examination to determine the exact cause. The rheumatologist or physician who specializes in arthritis will diagnose the disease using a combination of X-rays, physical examination, lab tests, and medical history.

Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but pain symptoms and disability can be relieved. An increase in physical exercise and weight loss can help ease symptoms. Seniors affected by osteoarthritis may also undergo physical therapy to learn muscle strengthening exercises. Pain relievers and prescription drugs can help.

Seniors must protect their joints or at least prevent osteoarthritis from worsening. When exercising, choose activities, such as swimming and bicycling, that limit stress on the joints. Seniors who work can minimize injury to joints by avoiding repetitive motions and wearing protective equipment.

Living well with osteoarthritis highly depends on the senior’s approach to self-care. Fewer doctor visits and less pain are experienced by individuals who participate in their own care. In fact, these older adults enjoy a significantly higher quality of life.

Seniors living with osteoarthritis may no longer have the ability to independently perform the activities of daily living, such as climbing stairs or dressing. When the disease advances, support at home from Assisting Hands Home Care will be invaluable in the older adult’s daily life.

We are a national leader in quality senior home care. Our professional caregivers are trained to assist seniors with daily tasks. Responsibilities include help with personal hygiene, such as bathing and grooming. We perform light housekeeping, provide medication reminders, and offer transfer assistance.

If your elderly loved one is advised to lose weight to ease stress on the joints, our caregivers will prepare balanced meals. We also shop for fresh groceries. A senior who is prescribed physical therapy or must see a doctor for osteoarthritis will receive transportation from our reliable caregivers.

Professional caregivers from Assisting Hands Home Care undergo a background check and are insured, licensed, and bonded to give families maximum peace of mind. We also offer a range of flexible care options, from live-in care to respite care and post-surgical care.

Naperville, Illinois, seniors will benefit from the compassionate senior care provided by the experienced caregivers at Assisting Hands Home Care. Call us at (630) 634-9316 to schedule an in-home consultation to begin the home care process. We’ll ensure your senior loved one thrives in the comfort and familiarity of home.