Arthritis: Symptoms, Causes and Pain Relief Methods
Arthritis is a word that means ‘inflamed joint’. Arthritis is one of the most common chronic conditions in Australia, affecting nearly 3.5 million Australians. There are more than 100 types of arthritis, and osteoarthritis is the most common.
Osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease. It’s also known as wear-and-tear arthritis, or arthrosis. Osteoarthritis is a condition that tends to develop over time. So, if you have joint pain in one or more joints that is getting steadily worse over time, speak with your doctor about the possibility that you may have osteoarthritis.
Osteoarthritis is the result of reduced cartilage, which acts as a lubricant between the bones in your joints ensuring smooth, functional movements. When cartilage gets worn down, the bones in the joint rub against one another, causing pain, stiffness, a diminished range of motion.
Cartilage deterioration exposes a lot of little nerves that become inflamed. This bone-on-bone rubbing makes movement painful and can create bone spurs at the site of friction. This rubbing movement can also cause flare ups of inflammation at the site of the osteoarthritis, which can be very painful.
You are more likely to find osteoarthritis in joints that are overused. For example, a baker may get osteoarthritis in the hands, or a runner could get osteoarthritis in the knees. It can also be caused by carrying around excess body weight, which can lead to muscle strain and extra stress on the joints.1
Osteoarthritis pain reliefIf you have mild osteoarthritis, Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly can be an effective way of managing the pain and flare ups of inflammation. That’s because it contains an anti-inflammatory ingredient that penetrates deep into the joint, to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly provides relief of local pain and inflammation associated with mild forms of osteoarthritis of the knees and fingers. Try Voltaren Osteo Gel 12 Hourly for targeted relief, and get back the joy of movement in your life.
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