What is Arthritis? Arthritis is inflammation of a joint bringing such symptoms as chronic joint pain, stiffness, and swelling. The Arthritis Society states that approximately 4.6 million Canadians are currently living with arthritis; by 2036 this number will increase to 7.5 million (1 in 5). Health care costs and loss of productivity amount to $33 billion, by the year 2031 this number is expected to double. (The Arthritis Society, 2014). According to Aging in Contemporary Canada, arthritis and rheumatism is the most common chronic health problem of Canadian seniors affecting 47%. (Chappell, McDonald, & Stones, 2008, p. 221). With over 100 types of arthritis varying from mild to severe the most common age related form is osteoarthritis (OA) affecting 1 in 10 Canadians. Approximately 13% of Canadians suffer with OA. Joint damage from OA accounts for 80% of hip replacement surgery and over 90% of knee replacement surgeries. (The Arthritis Society, 2014). Severe cases of OA can restrict the ability to participate in activities and consequently affect a person’s quality of life. At this time there is no cure for OA without a joint replacement. Although OA can affect all ages the purpose of this paper is to focus on the impact this disorder has on the daily activities and functioning on the aging population. Discussion will also highlight the origin and manifestations of this disorder and will examine current and future treatment options available.
Bibliography: Arthritis Foundation, Understanding Arthritis (1986); Kelley, William N., et al., eds., Textbook of Rheumatology, 2d ed., (1985); McCarty, Daniel F., ed., Arthritis and Allied Conditions, 11th ed. (1988); Moll, J. M. H., Rheumatology in Clinical Practice (1987).
According to (Ro, 2013), pain can manifest as agitation or aggression in people with dementia, which can lead to behaviors that are from unaffected pain treatment. (Achterberg, 2013), stated there are an estimated 35 million people with dementia across the world and 50% experience pain and assessment relies on a large part on observational methods. Pain perception is often a forgotten issue with the neuropathological changes in dementia. Several self-report scales, including Visual Analog Scale, Numerical Rating Scale and Face Pain Scale, but when self-reports are not possible, then observation and detection pain-related behavior is a valuable approach (Achterberg, 2013). Studies have shown in several situations where pain might arise. Pain might arise at rest, during day-to-day activities, and during guided movements (Achterberg, 2013). Orofacial pain has been overlooked, but elevated level of facial response to pain stimuli in people with dementia is the key omission in the existing tools (Achterberg, 2013). Neuropathic pain from having diabetes, stroke or amputation is a form of pain in dementia that is challenging to assess. Studies have shown that central neuropathic pain is the most under-treated type of pain in people with dementia. The assessment and treatment is of high
(2010). Evidence-Based Review of Manual Therapy Efficacy in Treatment of Chronic Musculoskeletal Pain. Pain Practice, 10(5), 451-458. doi:10.1111/j.1533-2500.2010.00377.x
What prompted me to research about the various pain pathways was my grandmother's arthritis. She has suffered for many years with severe joint pain and in the past, has been treated with corticosteroids. Currently, she is taking Celebrex, (COX-2 inhibitor) which is a relatively new drug in the family of 'superaspirins'. What impressed...
Musculoskeletal pain affects the bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves, its commonly but not always it is caused by physical injury, which can be widespread or localised in just one body part. Joint and muscle pain is the probably the number one symptom that prompts people to seek the help of health professionals like osteopaths.
Improving the pharmacologic management of pain in older adults: identifying the research gaps and methods to address them. Pain Medicine, 12(9), 1336-1357.
Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the joints and it is the most common type of arthritis. Evidence shows that the majority of the people affected are the over 60 (S. R 2006) This disease damages the surfaces of the joints stopping it from moving as smoothly as it should. The disease can also be referred to as osteoarthrosis or degenerative joint tissues. Osteoarthritis is more common in women than men but the prevalence
Mavandadi, S., Ten Have, T. R., Katz, I. R., Durai, U. B., Krahn, D. D., Llorente, M. D., & ... Oslin, D. W. (2007). Effect of Depression Treatment on Depressive Symptoms in Older Adulthood: The Moderating Role of Pain. Journal Of The American Geriatrics Society, 55(2), 202-211. doi:10.1111/j.1532-5415.2007.01042.x
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis, affecting more than 27 million Americans (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). It is caused when the cartilage in the joints breaks down, causing the bones of the joint to rub against one another. This causes pain, stiffness, and loss of motion in the joint. Osteoarthritis is most prevalent in those 65 and older, but can affect those of any age. In addition, African Americans and Hispanics report a higher incidence of arthritis than Caucasians (LeMone, Burke, Bauldoff, 2011). Although the cause is unknown, it is believed that the increasing age of the population, prevalence of obesity and injuries add to the progression of the condition. Osteoarthritis can affect any joint in the body; however, those of the hand, hip, and knee are often the most common. This condition may be asymptomatic, or may present symptoms including soreness, stiffness and pain. The symptoms are more common in the older population, those with limited activity levels, and those who are obese. Joint cartilage thins over time, causing an increased risk for symptoms in the elderly, and obesity puts extra pressure on the joints during activity. Osteoarthritis is commonly diagnosed with the use of a physical assessment along with results of radiology testing such as X-Ray and MRI.
The purpose of this paper is to present a discussion of the application and evaluation of Post-Operative pain management in elderly patients with dementia in a rehabilitation setting.
As you grow older, your muscles start to deteriorate and your joints begin to ache and weaken. This is inevitable; so don't try to avoid it. Even if you are extremely active and exercise daily, it will occur. Getting old may not be the cause, you might simply have had a car accident, or a tragic accident of any kind. So, what do you do? You go see an occupational therapist.
Arthritis affects people of all age groups. More than 100 types of arthritis are known. Among these osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis having the highest incidence. One of the major causes of chronic debilitation in industrialized nations is Osteoarthritis which results from damage to the joints, which may be due to trauma, infection, or age-related wear. Rheumatoid arthritis is encountered less frequently than osteoarthritis and is estimated to affect around one per cent of the world’s population. Amongst patients of Rheumatoid arthritis, women are three times more likely to be affected by this condition than men. This condition is caused by an inflammatory process where the body starts attacking itself. Rheumatoid arthritis also affects several joints, with inflammation sometimes seen in and around the lungs, the heart, the eyes and the skin. The most commonly reported complaint by arthritis patients is pain. The pain might be from the joint itself and be a result of inflammation, damage from the disease, or through daily wear and tear. Muscle pain is also common and is caused by having to force movements against stiff and painful joints. Although range of movement in the affected joint may be limited and uncomfortable, physical exercise has been shown to benefit those with arthritis. Physical therapy has been shown to significantly improve function, decrease pain in the long term and delay the need for surgery in advanced cases. The majority of arthritis cases occur among theelderly, however the disease can occur in children as well. Over 70% of the population that get affected by arthritis in North America are over the age of 65 (4). The disease occurs more commonly in females than males in all races, age groups, and ethn...
Osteoarthritis is known as the most common form of arthritis, which affects millions of people worldwide. Osteoarthritis occurs mostly in older people, because the protective cartilage in the joints, on the ends of our bones, wears down over time. The disorder could damage any joint in our body, but most commonly it occurs in the joints of the hands, knees, hips and spine. Step by step Osteoarthritis worsens and there is also no cure for the disorder. But there are other
Almost everyone develops osteoarthrits as they age, some get it while in their fifties and in others it does not appear until their eighties. Osteoarthritis is the most common form that affects older people; this form of the disease wears down the cartilage mostly through overuse and injury but there are other causes. This specific form of the disease causes the cartilage to break down and the bones to rub against each other. Deformity and swelling occurs because knobs of hardened bits of cartilage develop in the joint. It forms especially if a joint has been injured many times.