Patient's question:
Dad said his knuckles are getting bigger and bigger, and they feel hard when touched. The swollen areas are becoming more painful, so we realized something was wrong. We went to a nearby pet hospital for a thorough check-up. The doctor said it might be osteoarthritis. What are the symptoms and treatments for osteoarthritis?Doctor's answer:
Osteoarthritis, in fact, is also known as deforming joint osteoarthritis, and many people refer to it as endemic joint osteoarthritis. In the early stages of the disease, many patients show no obvious symptoms, but many feel easily fatigued, have poor mobility in their limbs, experience joint friction sounds or mild pain, aching, or "bone gap pain," along with sensations of crawling ants and numbness. Joint pain is often multiple and may also recur with symptoms like varus or valgus of the knees. This disease not only appears in the fingers but may also spread to the lower limbs. It's important to pay attention to preventing cold exposure and avoid overexertion. Patients who suspect this condition should seek proper testing at local public hospitals to understand standardized medical treatment.