Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis or arthrosis (degenerative arthritis, degenerative joint disease) is a chronic joint disease and eventually periarticular elements characterized by degeneration of the cartilage and subchondral bone, which can cause joint pain and stiffness and reduced joint function.

Osteoarthritis, the most common joint disorder, affects to some degree by many people around the age of 70, both men and women. However, the disease tends to develop in men at a younger age. Osteoarthritis may also appear in almost all vertebrates, including fish, amphibians and birds. Aquatic animals such as dolphins and whales can suffer from osteoarthritis, however, this does not affect any of the types of animals that remain hung his head down, bats and aspreguiças. The disease is so widespread in the animal kingdom that some doctors think they may have evolved from an ancient method of cartilage repair.

There are still many myths about arthritis, for example, that is a trait inevitable aging, like gray hair and skin alterations leading to disabilities minimal and that their treatment is not effective. Although osteoarthritis is more common in older people, their cause is not simply decay involving aging. Most people affected by this disease, especially younger ones, have few or no symptoms, however some adults develop significant disabilities.

Causes

The joints have a level so small that no frictional wear if used or if they are excessively damaged. It is likely that begins with arthrosis an abnormality of cells that synthesize the cartilage components such as collagen (a protein tough and fibrous tissue) and proteoglycans (substances that give cartilage elasticity). The cartilage can grow too, but finally becomes thinner and cracks appear on the surface. Minute cavities are formed that weaken the bone marrow beneath the cartilage. There may be an overgrowth of bone at the edges of the joint, bone spurs forming swellings that can see and feel to the touch. These swellings may interfere with the normal functioning of the joint and cause pain.

Finally, smooth and regular surface of cartilage becomes irregular, preventing the joint can move easily. Produces a change of articulation for the deterioration of all of its components, ie, bone, articular capsule (some tissues surrounding joints), the synovial membrane (tissue that lines the joint), tendons and cartilage.

There are two classifications of arthritis, primary (idiopathic), when the cause is unknown and secondary when the cause is another disease, such as Paget, an infection, deformity, an injury or overuse of the joint. Particularly vulnerable are individuals who force their joints repeatedly, as the workers from a foundry or a coal mine and drivers of heavy vehicles. However, marathon runners professionals do not have an increased risk of developing this disorder. Although there is no conclusive evidence in this respect, it is possible that obesity (overweight) is an important factor in the development of osteoarthritis.

Symptoms

Upon reaching the age of 40, many people manifest signs of osteoarthritis on radiographs, especially in the weight bearing joints (such as the hip), but relatively few symptoms.

In general, the symptoms develop gradually and initially affect one or more joints (the fingers, the base of the thumbs, neck, lower back, the big toe (hallux), the hips and knees). The pain is the first symptom, which generally increases with exercise. In some cases, the link may be rigid after sleeping or otherwise idle, however, the stiffness usually disappears within 30 minutes after starting the movement of the joint.

The joint may lose mobility and even become completely rigid in the wrong position as worsening the damage caused by osteoarthritis. The new growth of cartilage, bone and other tissues can increase the size of the joints. The rough cartilage causes joints ranjam crepitem or while moving. The bony prominences develop frequently in the joints of the fingertips (Heberden's nodes).

In some joints (such as the knee), the ligaments supporting and surrounding the joint is distended so that it becomes unstable. Touching or moving the joint can be very painful.

In contrast, the hip becomes rigid, loses its radius of action and causes pain when moving. Osteoarthritis often affects the spine. Back pain is the most frequent symptom. The injured joints of the spine usually cause only minor pain and stiffness.

However, if the bone growth compresses nerves, arthritis of the neck or lower back can cause numbness, strange sensations, pain and weakness in an arm or a leg. On rare occasions, the compression of the blood vessels that reach the back of the brain. It originates then vision problems, sick feeling (vertigo), nausea and vomiting. Sometimes the growth of bone compresses the esophagus, making swallowing difficult.

Osteoarthritis follows a slow development in most cases after the onset of symptoms. Many people have some form of disability, but on occasion, joint degeneration is arrested.