It is a degenerative joint disease in which inflammation results in progressive joint pain. This pain is the cartilage that covers and acts as a shock absorber inside a joint. It is not a single disease but rather a consequence of different diseases leading to structural or functional failure of one or more joints. It infects the entire joint, including the surrounding muscles, bones, ligaments, joint linings and joint capsules.

When the surface of the bone is still less protected by cartilage, the patient feels pain when walking or standing. Because of reduced mobility due to pain may have surrounding muscles atrophy, and ligaments may fail. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis.

The main symptom is chronic pain, which occurs due to loss of mobility and often stiffness. Osteoarthritis may result in a popping pain when moving or touching the affected joints and patients get muscle spasm or contraction of the tendons. Occasionally, joints can be filled with fluid. Humid weather increases the pain in many patients.

Causes osteoarthritis is different:

1. Endocrinology - people with diabetes may be prone to osteoarthritis. Other endocrine problems may encourage the emergence of diseases, including acromegaly, hypothyroidism, obesity and hyperparathyroidizmu.
2. Inflammatory joint diseases - this category includes sore joints, chronic arthritis (gout) and rheumatoid disease.
3. Metabolic - disease causing errors of metabolism may cause osteoarthritis (Paget's disease or Wilson).
4. Congenital or developmental disorders
5. Genetic - nearly 60% of people suffering osteoartritdiou is assumed that this is due to genetic factors.
6. Neuropathic
7. Other - nutritional problems, research also indicated the possibility of developing the disease due to allergies, infections or fungal mold.

Types of Osteoarthritis

There are two types of osteoarthritis - primary and secondary.
Primary type - is a chronic degenerative illness, but not caused, with aging. When a person ages, the water content of cartilage decreases due to reduction of proteoglycan content (molecules containing protein and glycosaminoglycan). This causes the cartilage becomes less resistant. Without the protective effects of proteoglycan of cartilage collagen fibers are more susceptible to degradation.

Secondary type - this type is caused by other factors or diseases, but the resulting pathology is similar to the type of primary (congenital disorders, cracking joints, diabetes, inflammatory diseases, injuries, hormonal disorders, obesity, osteopetrosis - marmoration bones, sports injuries, pregnancy) .

Diagnosis

Mostly carried out by X-ray examinations. With or without the use of other techniques, for example. MRI, arthrocentesis and atroskopie, diagnosis can be made by careful study of the duration, location, character and appearance of the symptoms themselves and pains (physical examination). It is not yet available method to detect disease in its early and potentially easily treatable stages.

Other tests: analysis of joint fluid, blood tests.

Treatment

In general, the process of clinically detectable osteoarthritis is irreversible, and typical treatment consists of a combination of medication and other interventions that are intended to reduce pain caused by the disease, and improve joint action.