Osteoarthritis is a chronic rheumatic disease that is very common in individuals over 65 years of age, characterized by wear and consequent deformities and changes in the function of the joints of the body, common in the knees, spine, hands and hips.
Although its causes are still not fully understood, it is known that osteoarthrosis occurs due to the association of several factors, which are related to genetic influences, advancing age, hormonal changes, metabolic disorders and inflammation, and is more common in people who repeatedly strain, have joint injuries, or are overweight, for example.
This disease causes pain in the affected joint, in addition to rigidity and difficulty to move this place, being necessary to perform the treatment indicated by the doctor with medications, physiotherapy or, in some cases, surgery to relieve the symptoms, since there is no definitive cure. Understand what arthritis is and how it affects the body.
Main causes of arthritis
Some risk factors that may be involved in the cause of arthrosis are:
- Genetic predisposition;
- Age;
- Repetitive use of the joint at work or when practicing physical activity such as having to climb stairs frequently or carrying heavy objects on the back or head;
- Hormonal changes that are more frequent after menopause and therefore women are more affected;
- Excess joint flexibility, as in the case of athletes of rhythmic gymnastics, for example;
- Trauma: Fractures, torsion or direct puncture of the joint, which may have occurred a few months or years;
- Excess weight that increases overload on the joint;
- Practice of physical exercise without professional guidance over the years.
Osteoarthritis arises due to an imbalance in the cells that form the capsule that makes up the joint, and this causes the joint to decrease and can not properly do its role of avoiding contact between the bones.
In addition, an inflammatory process is formed in the area that also affects the bones, muscles and ligaments of the region, causing degeneration and progressive destruction of the joint.
How To Treat Arthritis
The treatment for osteoarthritis should be guided by the general practitioner, rheumatologist or geriatrician, and may include:
- Use of medicines that relieve symptoms such as anti-inflammatories, painkillers, ointments, dietary supplements or infiltrations. Find out what are the remedy options for arthritis;
- Physiotherapy, which can be performed with thermal resources, appliances and exercises;
- Surgery to remove part of the involved tissue or to replace the joint with a prosthesis, in the most severe cases.
The treatment will also depend on the severity of the injury that the individual presents and their health conditions. Learn more about the main forms of treatment for osteoarthritis.
