5 min read
Joint pain is widely considered to be a universal and inevitable sign of ageing. While it is true that aches and pains do tend to increase with age, there are many forms of arthritis, and not all are age-related. A growing number of young people are affected as well, and some types even affect children.
Arthritis is a condition causing painful inflammation of one or more joints. There are two major types of arthritis: osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Both damage joints but in different ways. According to the Chinese University of Hong Kong, osteoarthritis is particularly common in Hong Kong and is one of the most frequent causes of disability in the elderly. On the other hand, despite a very low prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (roughly 20,000 to 30,000 people), it is the most common type of autoimmune arthritis and has killed more than 30,000 people in Hong Kong.
Arthritis develops when there is damage to the cartilage, bone or synovium (lining) of a joint. Cartilage is connective tissue in our joints that cushions them by absorbing the pressure and shock created by movement and applied stress. When cartilage is insufficient, the joints become more susceptible to friction and damage, which leads to pain and inflammation.
The two most common types of arthritis are:
There are well over 100 forms of arthritis. Other common types of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis, gouty arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and reactive arthritis.
Arthritis symptoms include some or all of:
In the case of rheumatoid arthritis, you might also experience:
The risk of developing arthritis may be affected by:
There are several ways to diagnose arthritis:
Arthritis treatment focuses on relieving pain and improving joint function. Treatment modalities may include:
What are glucosamine and chondroitin? Glucosamine promotes growth and repair of cartilage, as it is a structural component, while chondroitin is one of the building blocks of connective tissue. Some people believe that taking these supplements provides more raw materials for cartilage formation and thus may alleviate symptoms of arthritis.
The use of such supplements for arthritis is, however, still a matter of debate, as research results are conflicting or show insignificant improvement. Despite this, a variety of products and commercials in the market praise their effectiveness. Consult your pharmacist or doctor if you would like to take them.
Do's
Don'ts
Avoid activities that involve high impact and repetitive motion, such as:
For eligible persons with a HKID card, the cost for a specialist outpatient consultation is $135 for the first attendance and $80 per next attendance, and $15 per drug item. For non-eligible persons without a HKID card, the cost for a specialist outpatient is $1,190 per day. For details, call the Hospital Authority at 2300 6555.
Cost will vary widely depending on what is needed. Surgery and certain newer medications can be expensive.. The price for a full physical check-up ranges from $1,000-$4,000 while surgery (depending if its for hip, knee, etc) ranges from $50,000-$190,000
*All amounts are in HKD. No responsibility is accepted for any inaccuracies, errors, or omissions. It is always best to call ahead to make sure the information is still up-to-date.
Arthritis flares are regularly triggered by overdoing of activity with the joint. Stress, weather, change in atmospheric pressure, infections and other factors may also trigger arthritis flares.
Unfortunately, there is no cure for arthritis. Nevertheless, multiple treatments can be done to relieve the pain and facilitate activities of the affected joints, for example, medications, physiotherapy and surgery.
Arthritis pain usually follows vigorous activities of the joint and can feel like burning or throbbing.
Maintain a healthy lifestyle and body weight by exercising moderately. Follow doctor’s instructions and take medication or therapy sessions when necessary to improve your condition.
Dr. Sarah Borwein is a Canadian trained General Practitioner who co-founded the Central Health Group and has been practicing family medicine in Hong Kong for over 15 years. After obtaining Certification in Family Medicine from the College of Family Physicians of Canada, she completed a Masters degree in Infectious Diseases from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She worked as a staff physician at the Beijing United Family Hospital where she was Director of Infection control during the SARS outbreak in China. A French speaker, Sarah is the advising and referral doctor for the French Consulate in Hong Kong. She is the site director for GeoSentinel (an international disease surveillance network) in Hong Kong and is past President of the Asia Pacific Travel Health Society. In addition, she sits on the Centre for Health Protection's Scientific Committee on Vector-borne Diseases, which advises the Hong Kong Department of Health on this type of illness.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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