Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. An estimated 40 to 70 percent of people over the age of 50 have some degree of arthritis. Age, excess weight, general wear and tear, and a lifetime of inadequate diet and exercise are chief causes of Osteoarthritis. Additional causes include skeletal, genetic factors, and hormonal deficiencies. For some the symptoms remain mild, while in others the symptoms grow progressively worse until they become disabling. Osteoarthritis is an inflammation of the joints that causes a breakdown in the cartilage covering the bone inside the joint. It usually involves a synovial joint. This type of joint connects one bone to another, with a fluid lubricating the surface allowing for smooth motion. The ends of the bones are covered by the cartilage. The cartilage is made of a soft, cushiony material that acts as a shock absorber and prevents the bones from rubbing against one another. As we get older, the wear and tear of the joints and the body’s inability to regenerate the cartilage at the same pace as when were young, results in a gradual degeneration of the cartilage. An arthritic joint may be characterised by either an insufficient synovial fluid, causing stiffness, or an excess fluid, causing swelling. When the cartilage has broken down enough to allow the bones to rub against one another, the person will experience significant pain.

Symptoms - The onset of Osteoarthritis can be very subtle. Joint stiffness is often the first symptom. As the disease progresses, pain is felt on motion of the involved joint. The pain is made worse by prolonged activity and relieved by rest. There are usually no signs of inflammation. The specific clinical picture varies with the joints involved. Disease of the hands leads to pain and limitation of use. Knee involvement produces pain, swelling and instability. Osteoarthritis of the hip causes local pain and a limp. Spinal Osteoarthritis is very common and may result in compression of nerves and blood vessels, causing pain and vascular insufficiency. Osteoarthritis can occur in any joint in the body. However, the most common sites are the fingers (especially the two joints closest to the fingertips), the knees, hips, neck, and lower spine.

Treatments available at Dhanwantri - The most important special courses are Dhara, Pizhichil, Navarakizhi, Sirovasty, Pichu and so on. They have been found specially effective in rheumatism, arthritis, spondilosis, paralysis etc.