Information on arthritis

What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a disease in which the joint cartilage layer becomes thinner and may be completely worn out. As the disease progresses it can result in pain, inflammation of the joint capsule with swelling of the surrounding tissue, and effusion in the affected joint.

Osteoarthritis is a very common disease of the joints and generally sets in between the ages of 50 and 60. It may also occur at a much earlier age, depending on the cause.

How does osteoarthritis develop?
Osteoarthritis may be caused by incorrect posture, long-term incorrect loading or over-loading of the joints, an earlier accident with injuries to the joint region, or through inflammation of the joints.

Often the factor that causes osteoarthritis in an individual cannot be established.

Osteoarthritis of the hip joint
Osteoarthritis of the hip, also known as coxarthritis, is generally accompanied by pain in the hip joint that can radiate to the knee or even to the lumbar region of the spine. The pain can lead to muscle tension, restricted mobility or incorrect posture. In later stages pain may also be experienced at night or at rest.

Osteoarthritis of the knee joint
In arthritis of the knee joint, also known as gonarthritis, the patient generally first experiences pain and accompanying swelling in the knee joint when starting to move and applying pressure to the knee joint. The pain can lead to a feeling of uncertainty with movements involving the knee joint, and to muscular tension, restricted mobility or incorrect posture. In later stages pain may also be experienced at night or at rest. Deformation of the bones around the joint can additionally restrict movement.

Examination methods
Treatment is planned on the basis of the severity of the symptoms and the visible signs of wear seen in X-rays.

If the disease is still at an early stage, then physiotherapy is often prescribed, coupled with drugs such as anti-inflammatory agents or analgesics to reduce pain.

When does the joint have to be replaced?
If no improvement is seen as a result of physiotherapy or other forms of therapy, or if the pain becomes unacceptable, then a joint replacement has to be considered.
 
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