Facts on arthritis

For most Filipinos the word arthritis refers to painful joints as a result of eating too much isaw, bagoong, tokwa, mani and other delicacies known to have high uric acid content. It is only one form of arthritis known as gouty arthritis. There are other serious forms of the illness such as osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis which may result to permanent disability. Under this condition, patients could be confined to a wheel chair for the rest of their lives.

Dr. Ilustre Guloy, Jr. is a key figure in the arthritis awareness campaign launched by Stryker. The advocacy is endeavoring to bring together medical authorities, hospitals, health centers, residential communities and other stakeholders in the field of health through a series of free lectures, medical check ups and even x-ray and medicine for arthritis if advised by the attending physician. The lecture series began with the Medical City in October followed by the Asian Hospital and Medical Center in November.

"In the years that I have treated arthritis, I have heard myths from my patients. As physician-surgeons, I feel that it is our duty to immediately correct these wrong notions. If people know the truth, they will know the consequence and do proper actions to avoid the repercussions," says Dr. Guloy

He enumerates the following truths and fallacies about arthritis:

Fallacy No. 1: Osteoarthritis is only for old people

Age does not equal osteoarthritis. It is true that increasing age rises the chances of getting osteoarthritis because it’s a wear and tear process, but there are also the factors of genetics, body weight, exercise, previous trauma and overuse.

Fallacy No. 2: You cannot eat nuts or internal organs when you have arthritis

This only true if you have gout arthritis.

Fallacy No. 3: You don’t take enough calcium that’s why you have arthritis

Loss of calcium leads to osteoporosis and not osteoarthritis. As we age, our bones lose calcium and become more brittle and thus more prone to fractures. This condition is called osteoporosis and is treated with medicines, one of which is calcium. The problem in osteoarthritis is not lack of calcium but lack of cartilage, the tough but smooth end caps of bones making up the joint.

Fallacy No. 4: All you need is medicine for your arthritis

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis are permanent conditions. Arthritis medicines only remove the inflammation and pain temporarily but the root cause is unchanged. This, however, doesn’t mean that arthritis medications are totally useless. In fact, they make life more bearable for the afflicted and allow them to function and do daily activities.

Fallacy No 5: Once you have arthritis, you will suffer for life

While it is true that arthritis can be life long, it doesn’t mean that you have to suffer its effects the rest of your life. There are numerous treatment modalities to modify the disease process or even permanently treat the joint.

Truth No. 1: Heavy body weight is linked to osteoarthritis

Obesity is a risk factor for knee osteoarthritis. Are you overweight or obese? Divide your weight in kilograms by the square of your height in centimeters. If the result is between 25 and 29.9 you are overweight, while 30 and beyond you are obese. Obesity increases the likelihood of getting osteoarthritis. You need to lose the pounds if you want to lessen the chance of getting it.

Truth No. 2: Previous trauma causes arthritis

Damaged joint surfaces and supporting structures lead to abnormal joint movements and abnormal, accelerated wear of the cartilage leading to osteoarthritis. Vehicular accidents, sports injuries, accidental falls and bathroom floor trauma can cause fractures and tears of ligaments that can eventually lead to arthritis in later years. You need to be careful and strengthen your muscles to protect against injury.

Truth No. 3: Osteoarthritis of the knees causes deformity

When the cartilage of the knee wears away, the knee becomes slowly and progressively deformed. You can see them as bowlegs or knock knees when it becomes really bad. You need to watch for signs of deformity.

Truth No. 4: Pain can be mild in the beginning and become excruciating later on.

Osteoarthritis begins as mild aches which most of us would tolerate and pass off as normal. Over time, this mild ache turns into a moderate throb which eventually becomes excruciatingly painful prompting the afflicted to consult a physician. By that time, most are already in the advanced stages of the disease. You need to consult a physician early or at the first signs of ache in your joints.

Truth No. 5 Joint replacement surgery can improve quality of life

You don’t have to live with the pain of osteoarthritis if you already have it. Others have tried to get through the day by taking pain medications everyday but beware of side effects. The permanent solution is joint replacement surgery, with the hip and the knee being the most commonly replaced joints. Once done, you will experience dramatic pain relief, improved function and an overall better quality of life.

Dr. Guloy shares these healthy tips: educate yourself by reading, listening and getting involved in programs that teach about arthritis; listen to your body’s aches and pains as they are danger signals that something may be wrong; and look for an expert in arthritis and get yourself evaluated and treated properly.

Information on future schedules is available from Stryker through their call center ar 892 9343. Those who are interested to participate in future seminars may email spfmultiusers@stryker.com.