Osteoarthritis refers to the wear of the joints. Every joint is covered by a protective layer of cartilage that prevents bone rubs on bone and stress buffers. In osteoarthritis this cartilage is damaged. If the disease progresses, the protective layer is eventually lost altogether. Damaged cartilage is not able to regenerate itself again. This is also the reason why violations of the joint where the cartilage is affected, can lead to premature arthritis. The wear of the bone is increasingly overloaded. He responded with the formation of new bone tissue, leading to compaction and extractions around the affected sections. Symptoms of osteoarthritis are pain and limited mobility. Typical complaints are at the beginning of a movement (known as "start-up pain") and during exercise. They are worse in cold or wet weather. Usually hurts a joint osteoarthritis is not at rest or at night.
The most affected are the spine, hips, knees and fingers. In the course of the disease can cause inflammation of other episodes with Disabilities, swelling and tightness. In the long run to deform the joints. 50% of all people over the age of 35 Age already show arthritic changes and from 60th Years have almost all men more or less pronounced - often barely noticeable osteoarthritis.
Common causes:
* Cartilage wear with age.
* Overweight.
* Repeated and severe mechanical stress.
* Past injuries.
* Deformities of the joints.
* Genetic factors (heredity).
* Metabolic disorders.
What can you do?
* To reduce weight.
* Adequate and regular low-impact exercise such as cycling or swimming.
* Strong single-sided loads and avoid overloading the joints.
When you need a doctor?
* If you have time and again pain in the joints that get better after a short duration of movement, especially if the affected joint was injured before and / or are overweight.
* If a joint swelling and / or is heated.
What your doctor can do?
Even the exact description of your symptoms may be indicative of osteoarthritis. The most important investigation to confirm the diagnosis, the X-ray. Here the narrowed gap shows in the joint as a result of the damaged cartilage. In advanced stages are also the bone reactions (condensation, extractions) are identifiable. The visible changes must in no way related to the actual problems in context. May be present at low X-ray signs of arthrosis in severe pain and vice versa.
Osteoarthritis is unfortunately not curable. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and prevent infection relapses. These are prescribed:
* Anti-rheumatic drugs (e.g. diclofenac, coxibs)
* Pain-relieving medications (for example, ibuprofen)
* Cortisone drugs, often given as an injection into the affected joint.
* Injections of hyaluronic acid into the affected joint.
* The application of heat in the inflammation-free period, cold in inflammation.
* Physiotherapy
In advanced osteoarthritis, surgery is usually necessary. In the knee joint often reflections (arthroscopy) are performed in which the joint is flushed and cleaned it of abraded cartilage and bone particles is. At the same time smoothing of the articular surface is possible. If there are deformities of the joints such as X-or O-legs, give it the possibility of surgical correction, which can prevent the progression of osteoarthritis in logs. If the joint is completely destroyed, only the replacement is with prosthesis. Most often this procedure is performed at the hip, followed by knee prostheses.
Prevention:
* To reduce weight.
* Adequate and regular exercise.
* Unilateral avoid stress. Repeated and severe mechanical stress avoided.
* There is evidence that a healthy diet reduces the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
The most affected are the spine, hips, knees and fingers. In the course of the disease can cause inflammation of other episodes with Disabilities, swelling and tightness. In the long run to deform the joints. 50% of all people over the age of 35 Age already show arthritic changes and from 60th Years have almost all men more or less pronounced - often barely noticeable osteoarthritis.
Common causes:
* Cartilage wear with age.
* Overweight.
* Repeated and severe mechanical stress.
* Past injuries.
* Deformities of the joints.
* Genetic factors (heredity).
* Metabolic disorders.
What can you do?
* To reduce weight.
* Adequate and regular low-impact exercise such as cycling or swimming.
* Strong single-sided loads and avoid overloading the joints.
When you need a doctor?
* If you have time and again pain in the joints that get better after a short duration of movement, especially if the affected joint was injured before and / or are overweight.
* If a joint swelling and / or is heated.
What your doctor can do?
Even the exact description of your symptoms may be indicative of osteoarthritis. The most important investigation to confirm the diagnosis, the X-ray. Here the narrowed gap shows in the joint as a result of the damaged cartilage. In advanced stages are also the bone reactions (condensation, extractions) are identifiable. The visible changes must in no way related to the actual problems in context. May be present at low X-ray signs of arthrosis in severe pain and vice versa.
Osteoarthritis is unfortunately not curable. The goal of treatment is to relieve pain and prevent infection relapses. These are prescribed:
* Anti-rheumatic drugs (e.g. diclofenac, coxibs)
* Pain-relieving medications (for example, ibuprofen)
* Cortisone drugs, often given as an injection into the affected joint.
* Injections of hyaluronic acid into the affected joint.
* The application of heat in the inflammation-free period, cold in inflammation.
* Physiotherapy
In advanced osteoarthritis, surgery is usually necessary. In the knee joint often reflections (arthroscopy) are performed in which the joint is flushed and cleaned it of abraded cartilage and bone particles is. At the same time smoothing of the articular surface is possible. If there are deformities of the joints such as X-or O-legs, give it the possibility of surgical correction, which can prevent the progression of osteoarthritis in logs. If the joint is completely destroyed, only the replacement is with prosthesis. Most often this procedure is performed at the hip, followed by knee prostheses.
Prevention:
* To reduce weight.
* Adequate and regular exercise.
* Unilateral avoid stress. Repeated and severe mechanical stress avoided.
* There is evidence that a healthy diet reduces the risk of developing osteoarthritis.
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