DEFINITION

Its a degenerative joint disease.It can be caused by aging,hereditary,injury,trauma,and another diseases.It is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints.It is the most common joint disease

CAUSES

PRIMARY OA

• With aging the water content of the cartilage increases and the protein makeup of the cartilage degenerates as a function of biologic processes
• Eventually cartilage begins to degenerate by faking or forming tiny crevasses
• In advanced osteoarthritis,there is a total loss of the cartilage cushion between the bones of the joint
• Repetitive use of the worn joints over the years can mechanically irritate and inflame the cartilage causing joint pain and swelling
• Loss of cartilage cushion causes friction between the bones leading to pain and limitation of joint mobility
• inflammation of the cartilage can also stimulate new bone outgrowth

SECONDARY OA

It is a form of OA that is caused by another disease or condition.It includes

• Obesity
• Repeated trauma or surgery to the structures
• Abnormal joints at birth
• Gout
• Diabetes
• Other hormone disorders

SYMPTOMS

• Pain and stiffness with loss of range of movement and function
• Swelling
• Warmth
• Creaking of the affected joints

INVESTIGATIONS

• No blood test for the diagnosis of OA
• X-ray of the affected joints can be used to diagnose OA

HOME REMEDIES

• Rest
• Exercise
• Diet control with weight loss
• Physical therapy
• mechanical support devices such as knee braces

TREATMENT

• Oral medications
• Topical treatments applied to the skin surface surrounding the joint affected by OA include anti inflammatory lotions
• Surgical treatments for knee include arthroscopy,cartilage repair,osteotomy and knee arthroplasty

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Prepared by: Dr Sajna Hamza