Osteoarthritis is one of the commonest primary forms of Arthritis. Osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown and gradual loss of the cartilages of one joint or more than one joint. Cartilage is basically a proteinaceous substance that serves the function of a cushion between the joints of the bones. Osteoarthritis is also called degenerative arthritis. Out of the 100 different categories of arthritis conditions the most common is the osteoarthritis. The tendency of Osteoarthritis becomes more as one ages. It is more common in the males till the age 45.
However as one crosses 55 the disease becomes more frequent in the females. It has been studied that the rate of osteoarthritis is more in the Japanese population that any other. Osteoarthritis mainly affects the feet, hands, hips and knees. Mostly the causes of osteoarthritis remain unfound and are mainly diagnosed as primary osteoarthritis. If the cause for the disease is found it is called secondary osteoarthritis.
Primary osteoarthritis can be related to aging. This has its explanation as there is an increase in the water content of the cartilage, degeneration of the protein takes place. Over a period of years, if the joints undergo continuous use, then the cartilages are inflamed and irritation occurs. This leads to swelling and pain in the joints. Gradually, degeneration of the cartilage takes place which is called flaking where tiny crevasses are formed. In the severe cases complete loss of the cartilage cushion takes place that exists between the bone joints.
This produces friction between the bones even on slight movement which results in pain, limiting your movement. When there is an inflammation of the cartilage new outgrowths of the bone can occur around the joints and these are known as spurs. The basis of osteoarthritis is often said to be genetic or hereditary. This is because there have been records which showed the same family had multiple members with the disease.
Secondary osteoarthritis is said to be the outcome of another disease or another condition. Some of these conditions include repeated trauma, obesity, joint surgery, diabetes, gout, congenital abnormalities and hormonal disorders. Obesity increases the mechanical stress in the cartilages that leads to osteoarthritis.
|
|
Even though aging is one of prime factors of the disease obesity increases a fair amount of risk for osteoarthritis in the knee joints.
If crystal deposits are formed in the cartilage this can lead to its degeneration hence osteoarthritis. The deposition of Uric acid crystals causes osteoarthritis in the gout, while the deposition of calcium pyrophosphate crystals causes pseudogout. For those, you are born with joint abnormalities, they are the most vulnerable to this disease. This is because they are more prone to mechanical wear which can lead to early degeneration and cartilage loss. Osteoarthritis however does not affect the other body organs. Some of the commonest symptoms of the disease are pain in the joints accompanied by swelling, warm sensation, and creaking of the area. Osteoarthritis in the knee areas results mostly from obesity, repeated injury or joint surgery.
|
