What Do You Know About Joint Pain?

Brought to you by DePuy Synthes

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease caused by “wear and tear” that ultimately results in painful joints, such as hip or knee pain.

Unfortunately, many women live with significant pain like this almost every day, according to a recent online survey commissioned by DePuy Synthes of 500 U.S. women aged 45-65 who had hip or knee replacement surgery or plan to have surgery soon. This puts many of their activities and special moments “on pause,” hindering them from enjoying life to its fullest. Sound familiar? Take the following joint pain quiz to learn how much you know about this critical issue!

Osteoarthritis is caused by a wearing down of the protective tissue around the bones. People with osteoarthritis often feel stiffness and pain in their joints that builds over time. It occurs most often in the knees, hips, lower back and neck, small joints of the fingers, and the bases of the thumb and big toe.

A firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone in a joint, providing a smooth, gliding surface for joint motion and acting as a cushion between bones. This cartilage breaks down in someone with osteoarthritis, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. As osteoarthritis progressively worsens, bones grind against each other, creating pain and loss of normal movement.

While it is the most common form of arthritis, osteoarthritis is one of the least talked about as many women try to maintain their routines while living with severe pain.

While women who live with significant hip or knee pain understand the benefits of joint replacement surgery, many of them delay having the surgery for at least five years, according to the DePuy Synthes survey. Many women are concerned that the recovery period will prevent them from caring for their loved ones, or may impact their daily activities. In addition, they have reservations about the procedure and want more information so they can make an informed decision.  

Of course, it’s natural for a woman to be concerned about her family’s well-being. However, by discussing treatment plans with her doctor and finding one that will help, she may be in a better position to care for her family and get back to activities she enjoys.