OSTEOARTHRITIS AND ACHING LIMBS

Osteoarthritis can be caused and even exacerbated by repetitive strain injuries (RSIs). The repeated movement puts enormous strain on the cartilage. When the cartilage wears down we lose the cushioning effect. The result is chronic pain and inflammation of the joint. OA can also be hereditary, which means that the likelihood of getting OA can increase with age.

PTA: Guten Morgen.
Female customer: Good morning, do you speak English?

Yes, how may I help you?
I have this awful pain in my knee!

Oh! Did you injure it in any way? You know, twist it suddenly or knock it against something?
No, not really. It’s been giving me a bit of bother on and off over the past few months.

I see. Could you describe the pain for me, please?
If I stand for a long time, as I have to do in my job, I notice that it seems to get really hot, and swollen. And I’d describe the pain as throbbing.

Have you been to your GP?
I thought I’d come here first. They have a lot on their plates at the surgery at the moment. And besides: it’s not as if I’m sick, is it!

Well it sounds chronic. I have a few things that I can recommend and if they don’t help, you can still go to your GP.
Okay.

Have you taken any painkillers today?
No, I’m not really one for popping pills!

This will help you though. It’s called ibuprofen, which is an non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and it contains another active ingredient that helps it to work quickly.
Don’t I need a prescription?

No, they are prescription free in this dosage. We call them over-the-counter, or OTC products. What I also have is diclofenac gel. It’s on offer at the moment and there is a gratis gel pack. You put the pack in the icebox or the deep freeze. Oh, and make sure to cover it with a tea towel, before use, so that you don’t damage your skin from the cold. In fact it is a good idea to cool the joint regularly to help reduce inflammation.
How often should I apply the gel?

Mornings and evenings. And, as I said before, please consult your GP if it is not helping you at all. The GP will probably give you a referral for a specialist.
I’ll see how I get on. Thank you for your help and advice.

No, problem. You are more than welcome. Goodbye.
Thanks again and goodbye.

You can find this article at PTA IN DER APOTHEKE 03/2020 on page 92.

Catherine Croghan, Lecturer in English and native speaker