Osteoarthritis (OA) – Osteoarthritis
Causes of Osteoarthritis
There are a number of causes of osteoarthritis, including general causes of aging, obesity and heredity, and local ones due to degenerative changes (Degenerative osteoarthritis), inflammatory changes (rheumatoid arthritis), joint trauma and damage to joint cartilage, lack of blood supply to the bone (avascular necrosis) due to trauma, taking steroids, and drinking alcohol.
The knee and hip joints are the largest in the body, and are affected by degenerative or inflammatory processes that lead to limitation of movement and pain. Pathophysiologically, the disease is characterized by the loss of the cartilage layer in the area of the joint to the bone. The cartilage itself, compared to the underlying bone, is not innervated, so despite the abrasion, as long as cartilage is present there is no pain. However, when the bone under the cartilage is exposed, the pain begins to be felt.
What are the symptoms of osteoarthritis?
Gradual pain that occurs intermittently mainly during activity and later develops into pain even when resting and sleeping. Morning pain, stiffness and functional limitation of the joint to the point of loss of movement. This condition leads to a decrease in the quality of life, and increases the risk of other related diseases.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis
OA therapy is designed to control pain and improve daily functioning, and is divided into several aspects:
- Non-pharmacological treatment – exercise, changes in lifestyle habits, weight loss and adjustment of activity.
- Drug therapy – Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and injections of steroids and hyaluronic acid.
- Bio-mechanical treatment using splints or bio-mechanical equipment.
- Non-surgical treatment – This is intended to reduce joint load through braces or supports (especially to the knee), walking with insoles, and performing physiotherapy exercises.
- Surgical treatment – osteotomy with a change in the axis of the limb (especially at a young age), arthroscopy and joint replacement.
The Biomechanical Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee
The biomechanical treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee includes two types
of interventions that bring about pain relief and improvement of functioning in
patients:
Leg braces – a splint designed to stabilize the foot and thus lower the surface
of the joint. Studies in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee have found that
these stabilizers reduce pain and improve function.
Biomechanical device – a special device that is worn on the leg and can
change the pressure center during walking and improve gait in patients
suffering from pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee. Treatment using this
device is carried out in accordance with a dedicated training program in the
patient’s environment.
Surgery to replace the joint due to osteoarthritis of the knee and other joints.
Joint replacement surgery is intended for a patient with significant pain in the
joint, which impairs his ability to perform daily activities after it has been
proven through X-rays that the patient has joint disease, and that the
conservative treatments did not bring about improvement. Only after these
two conditions are satisfied will the surgical solution be considered to control
the pain and improve function. Surgery to replace a knee or hip joint includes
replacing the joint and cartilage with artificial metal implants that have a
special plastic separator between them. Long-term studies indicate implant
survival over at least 15-20 years, and a 93-97% success rate.
For more details about the surgery – contact us.
