Living with Osteoarthriris

Description

Osteoarthritis is a disease that affects the larger joints of the body, such as the hip or knee. Although often associated with ageing, this type of arthritis can also affect younger people. The pain, stiffness and limited movement it causes may seem to spell the end of an active and healthy lifestyle, but Dr Patricia Gilbert shows that this needn't be so. She explains what osteoarthritis is and provides helpful information about:

• who is affected
• signs and symptoms
• diagnosis
• the variety of treatments on offer
• the help available to people with osteoarthritis.

Living with Osteoarthritis is a positive and practical aid to help you live life to the full with this very common disease.

Contents

Acknowledgements
Introduction

• Osteoarthritis: an overview
• Signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis
• Investigations and assessment
• Risk factors
• Treatment (1): how to help yourself
• Treatment (2): the drug-free way
• Treatment (3): drugs and surgery
• Aids and appliances
• A final word

Glossary
Useful addresses
Index

About the author

Dr Patricia Gilbert trained at St George's Hospital Medical School, London, and worked in hospital and general practice in London and latterly for the Community Health Service in south Warwickshire. She was also the clinical tutor and visiting senior lecturer at Warwick University for a number of years. Writing is now a full- time occupation for Dr Gilbert, her most recent publications being Helping Children Cope with Attention Deficit Disorder (Sheldon Press) and a textbook for nursery nurses. She is married with two daughters.