Yes, It is quite a fact that untreated joint pain can lead to osteoarthritis, a degenerative disease that worsens over time and causes chronic pain that leads to joint damage by wear and tear of cartilage, the tissue that protects the ends of bones and joints. This exposes nerve endings in the bones, resulting in pain. Pain and stiffness makes daily task difficult.. Untreated osteoarthritis may lead to few complications like chronic pain, sleep disturbances, and weight gain.
If Untreated Joint lead to Joint deformity: Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape and small bone growths, called osteophytes or bone spurs, may grow on the edges of the joint.
Another common finding leads to Joint instability: If the joint surface becomes completely worn away, the knee joints will begin to rub together, which can lead to the joint freezing. Also we often see the Disability: If left untreated, osteoarthritis can lead to disability of the knee.
Osteoarthritis can greatly reduce the quality of life. It makes movement painful and difficult, which can stop people from participating in home, work or social activities.
Untreated osteoarthritis will continue to progress and worsen over time. Arthritis cannot kill you, but it can cause serious pain and discomfort in your life. The treatment of arthritis is a quality-of-life issue, but is not life-threatening. It is not a diagnosis that will shorten your life expectancy, but if ignored and left untreated, can make the rest of your years of life miserable.
Other complications that can arise from OA include: bone death (osteonecrosis),stress fractures bleeding or infection in joints, deterioration of tendons and ligaments around joints
Treatment options will vary based on the progression and severity of your arthritis. These may be the recommendation to take NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to oral steroids or injections, physical therapy.
It’s important to talk to your doctor if OA is impacting your quality of life. Surgery to replace joints may be an option, as well as pain medication and lifestyle changes. Whichever treatment you pursue, reducing your OA symptoms will improve your ability to get around and have a better quality of life.
(Author: Dr. Ramneek Mahajan, Senior Director (Orthopaedics) & Head Joint Replacement (Hip & Knee) Unit, Max Smart Super Speciality Hospital, Saket)
