#Arthritis - the Myths

Busting the Medical Myths of Arthritis (#Osteoarthritis) -

1.???? Xrays of joints indicate how severe the symptoms of osteoarthritis are- what Xrays show do not correlate with symptoms.

2.???? Everyone gets arthritis when they get older and it is due to wear and tear- osteoarthritis is a complex disease and young people get it too.

3.???? Arthritis gets progressively worse once you have it- osteoarthritis does not always get worse and can get better in many people.

4. Pain equals damage- pain does not indicate damage. Pain is the result of inflammation and the state of the tissue.

Imaging findings on Xray do not relate to symptoms and Xrays showing bone on bone does not?mean the joint requires surgery.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the commonest arthritis and is caused by a variety of factors including genetic predisposition, lack of physical activity, excessive body fat and previous injuries.

It is more common in older people, but young people get it too.

It is arthritis that affects most commonly hands and feet, hips and knees and the neck and lower back although it can affect any joints.

It can be improved.

Most people respond well to nonoperative treatments such as exercise.

There are now treatments that will help to prevent or improve arthritis including metformin and doxycycline.

Paracetamol is not an effective pain relief- it is no better than placebo for arthritis and chronic low back pain and it does have side effects.

Knee braces are not recommended- while they may initially reduce pain they cause wasting of critical tissues supporting the joint such as muscles, ligaments and tendons.

#knee arthritis #hand arthritis #joints #paracetamol #medical myths #osteoarthritis

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