Commonly affected parts of the body

• Knees
• Ankles
• Back
• Hips
• Hands

Common joint problems

Osteoarthritis: Caused by wear and tear of joints, a common issue in older care receivers due to their advanced age. Warning signs that can help us recognise osteoarthritis in a care receiver include

• Joint pain, stiffness and swelling
• Clicking and popping sounds while bending
• General instability of joints
• Decreased range of motion

Rheumatoid Arthritis: Caused by the immune system mistaking healthy joint tissue for foreign bodies and attacking them. Its warning signs include

• Pain and aches in more than one joint
• Stiffness and swelling in multiple joints
• Reduced or unstable mobility
• Joint deformity
• General weakness, tiredness and unease

Gout: Caused by uric acid crystals forming in the joints. Its symptoms include

• Redness and warmth at the joint affected during a flare-up
• Pain and swelling around the joints
• Affected area is unable to tolerate anything touching it

If you suspect that you or a loved one could be experiencing any form of arthritis, seek a doctor’s opinion immediately. Doctors can use techniques such as clinical examination, blood tests, X-rays, Computerised Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) to diagnose arthritis.

Treatment for arthritis

Medication

• Anti-inflammatory drugs relieve pain and inflammation
• Corticosteroids reduce pain and inflammation
• Anti-rheumatic drugs that slow down the spread of rheumatoid arthritis

Physiotherapy (also known as Physical Therapy) can improve

• Strength of joints
• Mobility of joints
• Body posture
• Ability to use assistive devices such as walkers and canes
• Overall ability to perform daily activities

Surgery

• Joint Repair: Smoothen or realign joint surfaces to reduce pain and improve function.
• Joint Replacement: Remove the damaged joint and replacing it with a new one. Commonly done on hips and knees.
• Joint Fusion: Locking two ends of bones together until they fuse into one unit.

The role of caregivers when a care receiver has arthritis

• Physically assist the care receiver with their movements such as walking and climbing stairs.
• Help them understand their condition and treatment plans.
• Keep track of their medication and appointments.
• Manage their day-to-day nutrition and ensure they eat healthily.
• Help them with transportation and commuting.
• Provide financial support if possible.

Arthritis, depending on the cause, can be a difficult condition to manage as it usually progresses with time. However, the right treatment and caregiver support can ensure that a care receiver with arthritis continues to enjoy a high quality of life.

Article reviewed by Dr Kenneth Koh Eu Min, Medical Director and Co-founder, OneCare Medical.