Management of Chronic Illness

Running Head : Managing Osteoarthritis

Managing Osteoarthritis

Name : course

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University

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Managing Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a major contributing factor to chronic disability due to its effect on the hips and /or knees . It is one of the most prevalent forms of arthritis which according to WHO is linked to disability in close to 10 of people over the age of 60 years (Arthritis Foundation 2010 . It is currently the second largest cause for disabilities within the labor force constituting of individuals of 50 years and above . OA

is triggered by metabolic , genetic , traumatic and developmental factors and it involves all diathrodial joint tissues (Shelley , 2008 Osteoarthritis is categorized into primary and secondary OA . The primary type is regarded as a `wear and tear ' type since it is involved with aging while the secondary type is associated with an apparent cause such as obesity and overuse of joints

Symptoms

General symptoms

Symptoms vary from patient to patient with some exhibiting fewer symptoms . OA is a joint disease and profound symptoms are observed on the hips , hands , spine and knees . General OA symptoms include : Muscle spasms accompanied by tendon contraction Stiffness in the morning lasting for less than thirty minutes Mild joint pains in the morning which worsens as the day progresses due to increased activity Stiffness following periods of rest which eases on resuming to activity Weakening of joint muscles due to inactivity Deteriorated coordination of walking and posture as a result of the stiffness and pain Soreness of the joints...