Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It causes pain, swelling and reduced motion in your joints. It can occur in any joint, but usually it affects your hands, knees, hips or spine.
Osteoarthritis breaks down the cartilage in your joints. Cartilage is the slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Healthy cartilage absorbs the shock of movement. When you lose cartilage, your bones rub together. Over time, this rubbing can permanently damage the joint. Factors that may cause osteoarthritis include
- Being overweight
- Getting older
- Injuring a joint
NIH: National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases
Nursing Diagnosis for Osteoarthritis
Acute / Chronic Pain related to distention of tissue by the accumulation of fluid / inflammatory process, Liquor joints.
Expected Results :
- Showing pain is reduced or controlled
- Looks relaxed, to rest, sleep and participate in activities based on ability.
- Following the therapy program.
- Using the skills of relaxation and entertainment activity in the pain control program.
Nursing Intervention for Osteoarthritis
- Assess complaints of pain; note the location and intensity of pain (scale 0-10). Write down the factors that accelerate and signs of non-verbal pain
- Give mat / hard mattress, small pillow. Elevate bed when a client needs to rest / sleep.
- Help the client take a comfortable position when sleeping or sitting in a chair. Depth of bed rest as indicated.
- Monitor the use of a pillow.
- Encourage clients to frequently change positions.
- Help the client to a warm bath at the time of waking.
- Help the client to a warm compress on the sore joints several times a day.
- Monitor temperature.
- Give a gentle massage.
- Encourage the use of stress management techniques such as progressive relaxation bio-feedback therapeutic touch, visualization, self hypnosis and imagination guidelines breath control.
- Engage in activities of entertainment that is suitable for individual situations.
- Give the drug prior to activity / exercise that is planned as directed.
- Assist clients with physical therapy.
Nursing Diagnosis for Osteoarthritis
Impaired Physical Mobility related to: skeletal deformities, pain, discomfort, decrease in muscle strength.
Expected Results :
- Maintaining a function of position with no presence / restrictions contractors
- Maintain or improve strength and function of the compensation part of the body
- Demonstrating techniques / behaviors that allow doing activities.
Nursing Intervention for Osteoarthritis
- Monitor the level of inflammation / pain in joints
- Maintain bed rest / sit if necessary
- Schedule of activities to provide a rest period of continuous and uninterrupted nighttime sleep.
- Assist clients with range of motion active / passive and resistive exercise and isometric if possible
- Slide to maintain an upright position and sitting height, standing, and walking.
- Provide a safe environment, for example, raise the chair / toilet, use a high grip and tub and toilet, the use of mobility aids / wheelchairs rescue
- Collaboration physical therapist / occupational and specialist vasional.