Patient/caregiver was educated on the signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis as follows:
Warmth and redness
- Chemicals from the white cells and damaged joint tissues can contribute to relaxation and dilation of blood vessels in and around the joint, resulting in more blood flow to the joint.
- Increased blood flow results in warmth and redness to the involved joint.
Swelling
- Chemicals released as part of inflammatory process contribute to relaxation and dilation of blood vessels in and around the joint, resulting in more blood flow to the joint.
- Dilation of blood vessels can also lead to increased leakage of fluid from the blood vessels.
- This increased leakage of fluid combined with fluid leaked out of damaged joint tissues lead to excessive swelling.
Limited range of motion
- The pain and swelling can lead to stiffness and limitation in the range of motion of the involved joints.
