Osteoarthritis is a multifactorial etiology disease characterized by degenerative and inflammatory pathological changes in and around joints.
Affecting people from all walks of life, causing pain, loss of workforce and disability, osteoarthritis has been accepted as a disease of natural aging and wear and tear for many years. In our opinion, it has attracted much less attention than it should have, possibly because it does not directly lead to fatal diseases, and because it mostly affects retired people. This fatalistic view has started to be abandoned in the last few years.
The prolongation of human life span, the increase in the number, effectiveness and cost of surgical interventions for osteoarthritis, the increase in the number, effectiveness and cost of patients and their families, and the economic outlook of insurance organizations and governments have attracted the attention of pharmaceutical factories and research laboratories and led them to focus on the disease again. With advancing technology and knowledge and economic and social support, studies on osteoarthritis have gained momentum.
Common pathologic changes in osteoarthritis are found in the joint connective tissues, especially the joint, subchondral bone, joint fluid and capsule. The main pathology is the progressive loss of articular cartilage, accompanied by depolymerization of hyoluniric acid in the joint fluid, subchondral sclerosis, osteoarthritis of the joint margins and varying degrees of synovitis.
It is a disease that starts in the 20s and continues until death. In fact, osteoarthrosis can be considered a physiological condition rather than a disease. As age progresses, just as our hair turns white and lines appear on our skin, deterioration and changes occur in the joints. Osteoarthritis is a condition that can occur in all of us, men and women.
Calcification starts in the joints in the 20s due to use; and this progresses over time and shows its symptoms in the 40s. Complaints are more common in women than in men and it is thought that this is because men have stronger muscle and connective tissue.
RISK FACTORS:
It can be roughly divided into 3 groups.
1-Genetic factors
2-Hormonal factors
Endocrine diseases (diabetes, acromegaly, etc.) and metabolic diseases (gout, etc.) are serious risk factors.
3-Traumatic factors
Osteoarthritis of joints that are frequently used due to heavy lifting, carrying loads, obesity and occupation.
Where do changes occur in osteoarthritis?
Common pathological changes in osteoarthritis are found in the joint connective tissue, especially in the joint, subchondral bone, joint fluid and capsule. The main phenomenon is the progressive loss of articular cartilage, which is accompanied by a deterioration of the content of hyoluniric acid in the joint fluid, a deterioration of the structure of the bones around the joint and the formation of small new bone spurs.
Symptoms of Osteoarthritis:
1-Pain: It is the main complaint that causes the patient to consult a physician. Pain, also expressed as aching, is blunt and cannot be well localized. The pain, which is mild at the beginning, increases over time and starts to be felt in a small movement and even during rest. Depending on the joint involved, the pain is exacerbated by certain activities and movements. For example, in osteoarthrosis of the hand, squeezing something with the hand or opening a jar lid is painful.
2- Stiffness: Patients often complain of stiffness when they get up in the morning or after periods of inactivity during the day. As with pain, stiffness is associated with weather changes.
3-Crepitation: These are rattling sounds in the joints as a result of cartilage loss and irregularity of the joint surface. It is most commonly heard in the knee, less frequently in the hip.