Osteoartritis
Osteoarthritis or osteoarthritis is joint inflammation which is caused by the degeneration of cartilage. Produce dolor, inflammation, deformation and reduces the mobility of the joint.
There are several types of treatments arthritis: nonsurgical treatments, the pharmacological alternative therapies.
What is Osteoarthritis?
Risk Factors
- Excess weight
- Aging
- Suffering an injury to a joint
Usually affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, as the hips and knees.
Its cause may be genetic or aging, or injury caused by trauma or disease.
The goal of treatment in osteoarthritis is to reduce pain and inflammation of the affected joints and to improve and maintain the function of the same.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary greatly from one patient to another or if it affects a joint or. The most common are pain in the affected joint, inflammation and deformation.
The three key features of osteoarthritis are:
- mild inflammation of the tissues in and around joints
- cartilage deterioration
- bony growths around the edge of the joints
Diagnosis
There is no specific test to diagnose osteoarthritis. Not recognized by any blood. And general, Doctors use a variety of methods: a physical exam, X-rays or lab tests.
Are possible in the case of osteoarthritis yes:
- It has more than 50 years old
- Persistent pain is felt in the joints, that gets worse the more you use
- Waking, feel stiffness in the joints that lasts more than half an hour.
Treatment of osteoarthritis
There is no cure for osteoarthritis, but the symptoms can be alleviated with various treatments. Several types of arthritis treatments: nonsurgical treatments, medication or alternative therapies and surgical treatments.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Among non-surgical treatments include loss of excess weight, the proper exercise, physiotherapy, applying heat and cold, and other.
As each person responds differently to drugs, is necessary to find the most appropriate medication for each case. The orthopedic surgeon will design a plan specific medication for your ailment. Among the medications for osteoarthritis are anti-inflammatory and analgesic, not develop tolerance is important that your doctor prescribes them.
- Glucosamine and condrointina. Are oral supplements that can relieve pain of osteoarthritis. These two molecules are in the cartilage of our joints. They can be particularly effective in the early stages of the osteoartitis, help reduce inflammation and improve mobility. Remember that any substance can have side effects, so it is necessary to consult your orthopedic surgeon.
- Corticosteroids. Corticosteroids or cortisone are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that can be injected into the joint. They can be effective if the inflammation is important, but not if osteoarthritis affects the joint mechanics. Its effects are short lived and can not be administered more than four injections per year per joint. If injected repeatedly over a long period of time the pain may increase rather than decrease.
- Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid. Viscosupplementation involves the injection of hyaluronic acid into the joint and improve the quality of synovial fluid in the joint. >Hyaluronan
- Special medical treatments for rheumatoid arthritis Injections include gold salt and other disease-modifying drugs.
- Alternative therapies against her osteoarthritis. Among the alterative therapies including acupuncture and magnet therapy.
Surgical Treatments
When arthritis does not respond to nonsurgical treatments, you may have to undergo surgery.
Surgical options are diverse, including:
- Arthroscopic surgery, that uses fiber optic technology to allow the surgeon to see inside the joint and clean of debris or repair torn cartilage. > Arthroscopy
- La osteotomy, that involves cutting a portion of bone. In the case of the knee, a portion of the tibia (shinbone) or femur (thighbone) to improve alignment.
- Arthroplasty or joint replacement, Total or partial, replaces severely damaged cartilage of the joint with metal and plastic.
- Cartilage grafting is possible in some joints in which there has been a limited cartilage loss following trauma or osteoarthritis.
Living with osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is a disease of long duration, so it is important to procure the necessary support to solve the problems that will be presenting, as for example the limitation of motion.
It is important to take care of their own health and personal well being. You need to follow the instructions of the orthopedic surgeon, regularly take medication that has been prescribed and carry a healthy lifestyle.
Some people find it helpful to share experiences, questions or concerns with others who are in the same case.
FAQ
- What should I do if I think I have osteoarthritis?
See your orthopedic surgeon to find out for sure. Will ask about your symptoms and examine the muscles and joints. Osteoarthritis or OA is a disease of inflammatory nature. Sometimes it will hurt more and others just annoy. If you have joint for more than three months should see a pain specialist (Orthopedic surgeon the traumatólogo). If the process is in early stages, You can stop invasive treatments with little.
- What are my options if I am diagnosed with osteoarthritis?
There are numerous treatments for osteoarthritis pain relieving and inflammation, from alternative therapies to surgery. Ask your orthopedic surgeon, who will help you select the most appropriate option for their condition.