There is cartilage tissue covering the bone at the end of each bone that forms the joints. Cartilage creates a soft, slippery surface for the joint to move easily and acts as a cushion between bones. It prevents bones from rubbing against each other.
Calcification (osteoarthritis); It is a result of cartilage loss and damage in the joints and is a disease that leads to progressive degeneration and dysfunction. It causes pain in the joints.
Cartilage structure begins to change with age. With age, cartilage also ages. Cartilage is damaged more easily in overused or diseased joints. The duration of this cartilage damage varies from person to person. In addition to cartilage damage, the fluid secreted by the joint membranes in the joint loses its normal properties and as a result, joint damage progresses. In arthritis, joint fluid may not be present in sufficient quantity and its properties may be impaired. These changes may be one of the causes of cartilage destruction in the joint and its symptoms.
The joints where calcification is most common are the knee and hip joints.
Knee joint calcification (Gonarthrosis)
Genetic factors play a role in calcification, but factors such as advanced age, weight, heavy work, meniscus tears, repetitive strains and traumas in the joints can accelerate calcification and cause it to occur. Osteoarthritis is more common with age and affects both men and women.
Signs and symptoms You may feel a feeling of friction or pulling in your joints when you move. You may also feel tenderness and pain in the knee joint area. Going up and down any stairs, getting up from a chair, or sitting down or standing up can be painful. While the pain is mild at first, it may increase as you walk and prevent you from walking. There may be weakening and wasting of the muscles around the knee due to pain and inactivity.
Hip joint calcification (Coxarthrosis)
Hip calcification is the most common cause of hip pain. An additional disease that causes the disease (congenital hip diseases, previous hip joint infection, growth cartilage in the hip joint). It may occur spontaneously, without any additional disease, as it may occur due to a previous trauma or steroid use (e.g., slippage of the spine, rheumatic diseases). If there is arthrosis in the family, the probability of its occurrence increases. Arthrosis in the hip joint is more common in middle and older ages and in men.
Signs and symptoms The first symptom of hip arthrosis is discomfort and stiffness in the hip joint. This disorder initially occurs upon waking up and getting out of bed in the morning. The pain increases with movement and load on the joint, and is relieved slightly at rest. As the disease progresses, pain and other complaints do not go away with rest. The patient reduces his activities due to pain. The joint space narrows considerably. Hip movements are restricted and limping occurs. Sometimes the pain can also hit the knee. For this reason, patients presenting with knee pain should definitely be evaluated in terms of their hip joint.
How is joint calcification treated?
A good diagnosis is made. The treatment program helps reduce joint pain and stiffness, increase joint movements and make your life easier. Physical therapy, weight control, patient education and prolotherapy should all be planned together. When these are not helpful, only surgery can be considered. The treatment program is designed depending on the severity of the disease, the severity of your complaints, your age and other health problems.
How does 'Prolotherapy' work in Joint Calcification?
Prolotherapy application is the most effective application on chronically damaged tissues. The narrowing of the joint space seen with joint degeneration is caused by joint instability. In a person who presents with pain and loss of function due to arthritis, the joint is examined and the connective tissue elements that cause instability are detected. The target of prolotherapy is precisely these weakened ligaments. Prolotherapy application corrects the laxity in your joint by strengthening the ligaments and tendons that have become unable to support the joint in this process. Thus, the joint membrane begins to produce joint fluid again and, contrary to popular belief, the joint cartilage can renew itself.
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