What is osteoarthritis (joint calcification)?
Osteoarthritis is a disease that occurs due to the deterioration, wear and loss of movement properties of the cartilage structures that form the joint surface, causing a decrease in joint movements and pain. It is more common in patients aged 40 and above and in people who place more frequent and heavy load on the joints. It is popularly called calcification. Deterioration of the cartilage structures that form the joint and a decrease in the sliding ability of the joint are observed. In later stages, joint cartilage disappears completely. As a result of deterioration in the bone tissue under the joint cartilage (subchondral region), bone growths and protrusions on the joint edge (osteophytes) develop. As a result, osteoarthritis disrupts the normal structure of the joints, causing movement restrictions and pain.
The reasons for the development of the disease include excessive forced movements of the joints, overload, trauma, rheumatic diseases, and excess weight. It is most commonly observed in housewives and people who do heavy sports. Delayed joint injury (meniscus tear, arthralgia, etc.)treatment is unfortunately a common cause in our country. It may also occur as a result of deterioration of the joint cartilage after a fracture.
Patients complain of pain and restriction in the movements of the joints that develop osteoarthritis. The joint may appear swollen due to bony protrusions. Cracking may be heard in the joint during movement. While there may be periods of exacerbation where symptoms increase, there may also be long periods without complaints. It is most commonly observed in the knee and finger joints. Bending and deformity in the affected joint are observed in the future.
Pain is usually seen during movement and decreases with rest. After a long rest, there may be a short-term stiffness in movements, which will improve as you move. As articular cartilage disorders and cartilage wear progress, pain may occur during rest and movements may be restricted to the extent of disrupting daily life functions. Weakening and weakness develop in the muscles adjacent to the affected joint.
Diagnosis is made by examining the affected joint and evaluating it with x-ray. If the knee is affected, for its treatment &n First of all, special knee exercises, weight loss and medication are applied. Cartilage strengthening drugs administered into the joint or taken orally in tablet form and special knee braces are used in the treatment. Physical therapy can be applied at certain periods.
Meniscus degenerate tears are often seen in age groups with arthritis. Arthroscopic intervention may be partially beneficial in appropriate cases with meniscus tear with mechanical symptoms. Corrective osteotomy gives excellent results in patients between the ages of 45 and 55 who weigh less than 90 kg. Total knee replacement surgery is performed in cases of advanced knee arthritis and in people over the age of 65. Being unable to go out of the house due to pain that does not go away with painkillers, night pain, joint pain, or even being unable to do daily tasks and not being able to reach the toilet makes knee prosthesis mandatory. With this surgery, the damaged joint surfaces are removed and replaced with a specially designed prosthesis for the knee. Starting early movement in treatment with prosthesis is a great advantage. When the anesthesia effect wears off, the patient can walk with full weight and go to the toilet. The aim of the treatment is to enable the patient to walk without pain. The patient satisfaction rate with knee prosthesis surgeries is 96-98% at world standards. In our country, postponing surgeries due to fear of surgery causes severe muscle weakening, increased osteoporosis, decreased heart and lung capacity, and decreased satisfaction rate. Delaying surgical treatment is not in the patient's favor.
The aim of osteoarthritis treatment is primarily to relieve pain and correct movement limitation.
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