Patient/caregiver was educated on the complications of unresolved osteoarthritis as follows:
Bone fracture:
- Chronic exposure of the bone and joint to inflammation and injury leads to severe damage to the structure of bone, thus weakening the framework, resulting in fracture of the bone.
Bone death and infection:
- Chronic inflammatory activity in the joint with swelling can compromise blood supply to the joint. Blood supply to any tissue is important for nutrient and oxygen supply.
- Reduced blood supply to the joint can lead to compromised nutrient and oxygen supply to the bone ends involved.
- Over a period of time, compromised nutrient and oxygen supply can result in bone death and increased risk for infection.
Septicemia:
- The infection in the bone can enter the blood and spread to distant body sites, resulting in septicemia and consequent complications.
Anxiety and sleep disturbance:
- Poor pain control with unresolved arthritis can lead to exacerbation of anxiety and poor quality sleep. Reduced sleep hours and grossly interrupted sleep pattern can lead to daytime sedation and poorly managed stress.
