CNA’s Singapore Tonight Interview with Dr Kevin Lee on causes and prevention of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, a rising trend and condition that are becoming a common problem faced in ageing population such as Singapore. Statistics showed that 40% of the added population are affected by this.

Dr Kevin Lee shared about the causes and prevention of osteoarthritis in an interview on CNA’s Singapore Tonight.

What causes the increase in osteoarthritis?

Dr Kevin Lee pointed out that the causes of increase could be attributed to several main reasons. Such as the rapidly aging population in Singapore, as arthritis or osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition and is commoner in older patients.

Rising trend in obesity rate where one gets heavier or more overweight. The stresses put on the lower limb joint particularly the hip and knee will lead to increase incidents of arthritis.

Lastly, increased trend of middle age baby boomer actively engaging in strenuous sport such as marathon and  triathlon, would have an increased in number of sports injuries that corresponds to an increase in number of arthritis.

How to prevent osteoarthritis?

The most important prevention is weight management. Obesity has been shown to be one of the major risk factor leading to developing osteoarthritis.

Treat sports injuries early as accumulation of more and more injuries will lead to premature arthritis.

How to cope with the condition for those with arthritis or improve the situation?

Arthritis symptoms are usually pain, stiffness and swelling in the affected joint and eventually deformity. Usually the early and conservative treatments include weight loss, modifications in activity, physical therapy and strengthening exercises. All this measures are usually sufficient for those patients with early stages of arthritis.

Whereas for patients with end stages arthritis and had tried all of the above but still suffering from prolonged period of disability can consider hip and knee replacement as an alternative.