Diseases That Mimic Osteoarthritis Symptoms

… Continued …

Ankylosing spondylitis

It is another condition that can mimic the symptoms of osteoarthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the spine. It is categorized into inflammatory disease and typically affects vertebrae in the spine.

Unfortunately, there is no answer for the clearly answer behind ankylosing spondylitis. Some experts theorize that genetic factor may have contribution in triggering and causing this inflammatory condition.

Avascular necrosis

When cells of the bone don’t get adequate blood supply, this can lead to the death of bone tissue (avascular necrosis). It can be a complication from dislocation or when the bone is fractured. Any condition that causes pressure inside the bone can be potential to cause avascular necrosis.

Complex regional pain syndrome

Typically, it affects leg or arm. The cause is not known, but it often occurs after a specific trigger such as a surgery, heart attack, injury, or stroke.

Under-active thyroid

Medically, it is called as hypothyroid. Both hyper-and-hypo thyroids are bad for your overall health.

The most commonly complain from hypothyroid may be about weight gain. But in long term, it also can lead to problems of peripheral nerves, causing symptoms such as tingling, numbness, and pain in the affected area such as legs and arms.

Hereditary hemochromatosis

As the name suggests, it is a hereditary condition. Many people can have genetic mutation that cause hemochromatosis, but only 10% of them who are going to have a severe hemochromatosis (a stage of when the disease cause damage to other major organ, especially such as liver).

In hemochromatosis, the body is more likely to absorb more iron (greater than the body needs). The excess iron is stored in some major organs, causing some serious complications such as problems of liver, pancreas (diabetes), heart, skin changes – and even the greater chance of developing cancerous growth.

The early signs can be vague and mimic other common conditions. But typically, the common symptoms include fatigue, weakness, and joint pain.

What else?

The following are other possible diseases that can cause joint pain (the most common osteoarthritis symptom):

1. Paget’s disease of bone, a condition of when the normal life cycle of bone’s cells is disrupted. It often affects spine, legs, skull, and pelvis.
2. Cancer of bone or a cancer in other organs that spread to the bone.
3. An infection that affects bone, such as osteomyelitis.
4. A vitamin deficiency that causes a softening of the bone, such as osteomalacia and rickets (commonly in children).

Joint pain is not the single symptom of osteoarthritis, though again it can be the most common symptom reported. This joint disease also can cause stiffness and swelling. Even in severe case, it can cause disability.

The treatment is dependent of the cause of the joint pain. If osteoarthritis is the cause, some treatment options are available.

The severity of the problem also can play a key role in determining the treatment plan. The conventional treatments for joint pain include:

1. Prescribed medications, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
2. Steroid injection.
3. Physical therapy and appropriate exercise.
4. Home remedies – such as; resting the affected joint for a few days, the use of brace to give additional support for the affected joint, and taking some supplements to help ease the symptoms.

If these treatments fail to work or are not enough to help cope with the problem, surgical options can be considered. For clearly diagnosis of joint pain you have and more advice for coping, consult more with a doctor!