What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a condition that is caused by inflammation in the soft tissue between the joints, and is referred to by some individuals as a ‘burning pain’.2,3 It affects the whole joint including bone, cartilage, ligaments and muscles.
Are you at risk?
If you are over 45 years of age, female, or have had previous joint injuries, you’re more likely to experience the inflammatory pain in your knees, hips, or hands that is caused by osteoarthritis. You may also be more at risk due to being overweight, or if you’ve had a job that involved repetitive movement such as squatting, kneeling or climbing.
How to treat osteoarthritis
If you suffer from osteoarthritis pain – or a ‘burning pain’ that you think could be caused by inflammation and osteoarthritis – it’s worth consulting your GP for an official diagnosis. These symptoms can make it hard to participate in what used to be simple activities, such as climbing stairs, walking long distances, chasing after the grandchildren, or sitting with bent knees for a long period of time.4
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, however early and ongoing treatment can help to reduce symptoms and maintain your ability to use the affected joints.4
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) guidelines for management of hip and knee osteoarthritis were updated in 2018 to include a recommendation for the use of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen for pain relief. 6 Nurofen is the leading anti-inflammatory brand available over the counter in unit and value sales in Australia,7 and can help to reduce inflammation and relieve osteoarthritis flare-up pain for up to 8 hours.8,9,10 [TI1]
Connecting the dots
4 simple ways to remember which pain medication could suit your osteoarthritis pain management are:
1. Osteoarthritis is caused by inflammation of the joints. 2,3
2. Inflammation can be reduced via an anti-inflammatory medication, such as ibuprofen.6
3. Ibuprofen is the key anti-inflammatory ingredient in Nurofen. 7
4. An effective anti-inflammatory such as Nurofen could help you work through your osteoarthritis flare-up pain.6 [TI2]
Refrences
- 1
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Osteoarthritis. August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/chronic-musculoskeletal-conditions/osteoarthritis/contents/what-is-osteoarthritis
- 2
Keith K. W. Chan, Loretta, w. T. Chan, Rheumatology Reports, Vol. 3. No. 1 (2011).
- 3
Hawker GA et al. Understanding the pain experience in hip and knee osteoarthritis--an OARSI/OMERACT initiative. Osteoarthr Cart 2008;16:415-422.
- 4
Arthritis Australia. Taking control of your arthritis. Retrieved from: https://arthritisaustralia.com.au/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/ArthAus_Osteoarthritis.pdf
- 5
Musculoskeletal Australia. Oseoarthritis. Retrieved from: https://www.msk.org.au/osteoarthritis/
- 6
The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Guideline for the management of knee and hip osteoarthritis. 2nd edn. East Melbourne, Vic: RACGP, 2018.
- 7
Nielsen ScanTrack, All in One Health Report, Australia Grocery & Pharmacy Scan based on value and unit sales, MAT to 18/08/2019, Accessed in September 2019
- 8
Malmstrom et al, 1999
- 9
Malmstrom et al, 2004
- 10
Mehlisch et al, 2010 (sponsored by RB)