While not fatal, arthritis significantly impacts motor function, causing pain and discomfort. As the condition progresses, it can lead to degeneration of structures within and around the joints, resulting in prolonged pain and even the risk of permanent loss of mobility.

Doctor Pham Hoang Hai, a specialist in musculoskeletal internal medicine at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, states that if left untreated, arthritis can lead to several severe complications, including:

Limited mobility

This is a common complication as arthritis progresses, causing joints to become painful, stiff, and swollen. Individuals experience severe limitations in performing daily activities such as climbing stairs, standing or sitting for extended periods, bending, or lifting objects, which diminishes their quality of life and independent living.

Doctor Hai explains test results to a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital

Muscle atrophy and weakness

Muscle atrophy and weakness are common complications resulting from reduced joint use. Prolonged arthritis can lead to neurological changes, such as presynaptic reflex inhibition (the contact point between two nerve cells or between a nerve cell and a muscle cell) and reduced alpha motor neuron activation, which subsequently causes muscle atrophy and decreased muscle strength.

Ligament and cartilage damage

As cartilage wears away, the subchondral bone thickens and hardens, potentially forming bone spurs. These changes restrict the joint's range of motion, irritate tendons and ligaments, and cause pain. In severe cases, parts of the cartilage can be completely lost, causing bones within the joint to rub directly against each other, leading to pain during movement. Long-standing arthritis also results in damage to the ligaments inside the joint.

Joint degeneration

Prolonged and improperly treated arthritis can lead to joint degeneration. This condition involves the wearing down of the articular cartilage layer, causing bone ends to rub against each other during movement. This results in pain, swelling, joint stiffness, and reduced mobility for the affected individual.

Joint deformity

As arthritis progresses, prolonged cartilage damage can lead to joint deformity. When these deformities worsen, they can alter limb alignment, such as causing bowed knees and knock-knees in individuals with knee arthritis. This not only impedes movement but also severely affects the patient's aesthetics and quality of life.

Osteoporosis and fractures

Individuals with severe arthritis often have lower bone mineral density compared to healthy individuals, which increases their risk of fractures.

Doctor Hai advises that to reduce the risk of complications, arthritis patients should seek early diagnosis and treatment and avoid overusing painkillers. Patients should consume plenty of fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and legumes, while limiting processed foods and saturated fats to reduce inflammation and joint damage.

Maintaining joint activity is crucial for preventing joint stiffness. Patients should strive for regular, appropriate exercise to strengthen muscles and improve flexibility. A suitable diet and exercise regimen can help manage weight, prevent obesity, reduce pressure on the joints, limit cartilage wear, and effectively alleviate pain.

Phi Hong