Dr Prashanth Agarwal

Osteoarthritis, sometimes called degenerative joint disease or osteoarthrosis, is the most common form of arthritis.
Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in your joints wears down over time. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in your body, though it most commonly affects joints in the hands, hips, knees and spine. “Osteoarthritis typically affects just one joint, though in some cases, such as with finger arthritis, several joints can be affected” said Dr Prashanth Agarwal, Consultant, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Apollo Hospitals. Talking to him about the above, he said” The Causes for Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage that cushions the ends of bones in the joints deteriorates over time. The smooth surface of the cartilage becomes rough, causing irritation. Eventually, if the cartilage wears down completely, what remains is bone rubbing on bone causing the ends of your bones to become damaged and the joints to become painful”.
It isn’t clear what causes osteoarthritis in most cases. Researchers suspect that it’s a combination of factors, including being overweight, the aging process, joint injury or stress, heredity, and muscle weakness.
Signs and Symptoms
Osteoarthritis symptoms often develop slowly and worsen over time. Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
* Pain in a joint during or after use, or after a period of inactivity
* Tenderness in the joint when you apply light pressure
* Stiffness in a joint, that may be most noticeable when you wake up in the morning or after a period of inactivity
* Loss of flexibility may make it difficult to use the joint
* Grating sensation when you use the joint
* Bone spurs, which appear as hard lumps, may form around the affected joint
* Swelling in some cases
Osteoarthritis symptoms most commonly affect the hands, hips, knees and spine.
Treatment
There’s no known cure for osteoarthritis, but treatments can help to reduce pain and maintain joint movement so that you can go about your daily tasks. While medications and joint replacement surgery are key components of treatment for osteoarthritis, your doctor will likely recommend you try all other possible solutions before you consider those options. Eventually medications and surgery may be necessary. . Apollo Hospitals, Navi Mumbai has announced a special ARTHRITIS AND KNEE CLINIC for people having the above symptoms. “The package is only Rs 999, a big saving of 66% on the regular package price.

Individuals need to call 022 3350 3350 to book an appointment, Monday to Saturday 9 am to 5:30 pm.” said Tanjai Kapoor, Head Marketing & Sales, Apollo Hospitals