Osteoarthritis: What Can You Do to Relieve Complaints?

Do you suffer from osteoarthritis and experience pain or discomfort? A brace, splint or bandage for your wrist, hand or thumb can provide relief, stability and support for complaints such as osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. But what exactly is osteoarthritis? How common is it? What can you do about it? Is a brace useful for me? Which brace is the best? Will my health insurance reimburse a brace? These are all questions addressed in this blog.

What is osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is a rheumatic disorder of the musculoskeletal system. It can occur on its own or as a result of a previous joint inflammation or weak joint ligaments. Many people associate osteoarthritis with “worn-out” joints or bones statements such as “I have a worn-out knee” or “my wrist is worn out” are common in healthcare. That is not entirely accurate. The joint is not “worn out,” but has undergone structural changes.

A joint is a connection between two bone parts. At the joint surface of the bone sits cartilage a smooth tissue that ensures the joint can move “smoothly.” In osteoarthritis this cartilage is altered: it becomes thinner and softer. This makes the joints less easy to move, which goes hand in hand with the painful and stiff feeling in the joints.

How common is osteoarthritis?

In 2015, 1.2 million people were diagnosed with “osteoarthritis” by a general practitioner. Osteoarthritis occurs most frequently in people who meet several of the following characteristics:

• Age around 40–45 years, with risk increasing as you get older
• Women have a significantly higher chance than men
• People with overweight or obesity
• Persons who heavily load their joints think heavy labour or for example intense sports
• People with a hereditary predisposition

I have osteoarthritis; what now?

The course of osteoarthritis varies per person and per joint. It may be that there are many complaints but it may also be that complaints are minimal.

Self-care & lifestyle

• Stay active: regularly moving helps keep the muscles around the joints strong.
• Watch your weight: losing weight can reduce the load on joints.
• Eat healthy: a varied diet may contribute to healthy muscles and joints.

Medical treatments

• Painkillers: simple painkillers such as paracetamol may help.
• Anti-inflammatories: if there is inflammation, an anti-inflammatory painkiller may be needed (only in consultation with your doctor).
• Injections: a corticosteroid injection may temporarily reduce inflammation and pain (only in consultation with your doctor).
• Hyaluronic acid: for knee osteoarthritis, an injection with hyaluronic acid may be considered to improve mobility/reduce pain (only in consultation with your doctor).
• Support from professionals: a physiotherapist can help with exercises and advice about movement.

A brace for osteoarthritis

Brace reimbursements

For information about reimbursements for braces there are certain conditions you must meet. Bear in mind that if your orthosis is reimbursed from the basic insurance package, it will irrevocably be offset against your personal deductible.

• You must have a recent referral from a medical specialist (orthopaedist, rheumatologist etc.).
• The intended use must be permanent and long-term / chronic (daily, longer than 6 months)
• The product must not be used for sport

For more information about reimbursements you can read the reimbursement page. If you want to consult on whether a brace can be reimbursed, it is best to contact our parent company.

Source reference

• Thuisarts.nl, 2017
• Volksgezondheidenzorg.info, 2017
• Reumafonds, 2017
• https://www.umcg.nl/-/artrose-hand
• https://www.umcutrecht.nl/nl/behandeling/behandeling-knieartrose-zonder-operatie