Index:
* Images
* Other Names
* Definition
* Causes, incidence and risk factors
Symptoms *
* Signs and tests
* Salutation
* Support Groups
* Expectations (prognosis)
* Complications
* Situations that require medical assistance
* Prevention
* References
Other Names
Degenerative joint disease, hypertrophic osteoarthritis, Osteoarthrosis; EAD; Osteoarthritis (arthritis)
Definition
It is the most common joint disorder.
Causes, incidence and risk factors
Most of the time, the cause of osteoarthritis is unknown. It is a disease that is primarily related to aging, but metabolic factors, genetic, chemical and mechanical processes can also lead to its development.
Symptoms usually appear in people of middle age and almost everyone submits to the age of 70 years. Before the 55 years, the disease occurs equally in both sexes. However, after 55 years is more common in women.
The disease causes an erosion in the buffer (cartilage) between the joints of the bones. As the disease worsens, the cartilage disappears and the bones rub each other. Generally, there are bone spurs around the joint.
Osteoarthritis is classified as primary or secondary.
Primary osteoarthritis occurs without any injury or obvious cause, while secondary osteoarthritis is due to another disease or condition. The most common causes of this are:
* Inflammatory disorders such as arthritis
* Injury
* Metabolic disorders such as acromegaly
* Problems with anatomy (for example, be patizambo)
Symptoms
The symptoms of osteoarthritis include:
* Joint pain that worsens deep after exercise or weight-bearing and relieved by rest
* Chirping of articulation with the movement
* Joint pain when the weather is rainy
* Joint inflammation
* Motion Limited
* Stiffness in the morning
Some people may not show symptoms.
Signs and tests
A physical examination may show:
* Crepitation of the joints with movement
* Joint inflammation
* Limited range of motion
* Sensitivity
An x-ray of affected joints will show loss of joint space and, in advanced cases, wear of the ends of the bone and bone spurs.
Treatment
The goals of treatment are:
* Increase the strength of the joints
* Maintain or improve joint mobility
* Reduce the disabling effects of disease
* Relieving pain
Treatment depends on which joints are involved.
MEDICATIONS:
The most common drugs used to treat osteoarthritis are the non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are common pain relievers that reduce pain and inflammation. The types of these medications include: acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), ibuprofen and naproxen.
Although NSAIDs work well, their prolonged use can cause stomach problems such as ulcers and bleeding. Manufacturers of NSAIDs include a warning label on the product to alert consumers about an increased risk of cardiovascular events (heart attacks and strokes) and gastrointestinal bleeding.
Other medications used to treat osteoarthritis include:
* COX-2 inhibitors (coxibs), which block a substance called COX-2 that causes inflammation. Initially it was believed that this class of drugs works so well as other NSAIDs, but with fewer stomach problems. However, reports of heart attacks and stroke have prompted the FDA to re-evaluate the risks and benefits of COX-2. Celecoxib (Celebrex) was still available at the time of this report, but labeled with strong warnings and the recommendation to be prescribed at the lowest dose and for the shortest time possible. Patients should ask their doctor if the medicine is appropriate and safe for them.
* Steroids: these drugs are injected directly into the joint and can be used to reduce inflammation and pain.
* Supplements: many people help the OTC medicines such as glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. There is some evidence that these supplements are used to control pain, but do not seem to allow the development of new cartilage.
* The artificial synovial fluid (Synvisc, Hyalgan) can be injected into the knee and provide temporary relief of pain for up to 6 months.
CHANGES IN LIFESTYLE:
Exercise helps maintain mobility and Articulatory general. You should ask your doctor to recommend an appropriate home exercise routine. The exercises in the water, like swimming, are especially useful.
Other recommendations on lifestyle include:
* Apply heat and cold
* Consume a balanced diet and healthy
* Rest
* Lose weight if overweight
* Protect your joints
PHYSIOTHERAPY:
Can be used to improve muscle strength and movement of stiff joints. Therapists have many techniques for treating osteoarthritis, but if therapy does not cause an improvement after 3 to 6 weeks, then you probably do not work forever.
Orthopedic devices:
Orthopedic splints and sometimes can provide support for weakened joints. Some prevent the movement of the joint, while others allow some movement. Orthopedic devices should be used only when the doctor or therapist recommends, as the incorrect use of a device they can cause damage, stiffness and joint pain.
SURGERY:
Severe cases of osteoarthritis might need surgery to replace or repair damaged joints. The surgical options may include:
* Arthroscopic surgery to trim cartilage injury and broken links and to rinse
* Restoration of the cartilage to replace damaged or missing cartilage in some young patients with arthritis
* Changes in the alignment of a bone to relieve the stress on the bone or joint (osteotomy)
* Surgical Fusion of the bones, usually in the spine (arthrodesis)
* Partial or total replacement of the damaged joint by an artificial joint (knee arthroplasty, hip arthroplasty)
Expectations (prognosis)
The movement may be very limited. The treatment usually improves joint function.
Complications
* Adverse reactions to drugs used to treat
* Decreased ability to perform activities of daily living such as personal hygiene, housekeeping or cooking
* Decreased ability to walk
Surgical complications *
Situations requiring medical assistance
Check with your doctor if symptoms of osteoarthritis.
Prevention
Weight loss can reduce the risk of knee osteoarthritis in overweight women.
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