steoarthritis is a form of arthritis that features the breakdown and eventual loss of the cartilage of one or more joints. Cartilage is a protein substance that serves as a “cushion” between the bones of the joints.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Osteoarthritis commonly affects the hands, feet, spine, and large weight-bearing joints, such as the hips and knees. Osteoarthritis usually has no known cause and is referred to as primary osteoarthritis. When the cause of the osteoarthritis is known, the condition is referred to as secondary osteoarthritis.

condition.

• Congenital Disorders of joints
• Diabetes
• Obesity
• Chronic forms of arthritis and Gout. In gout, uric acid crystals cause the cartilage to degenerate at a faster pace.
• Injury
• Infective/Septic Arthritis
• Ligamentous deterioration or instability may be a factor.
• Marfan’s Syndrome(is agenetic disorder of the connective tissue. People with Marfan’s tend to be unusually tall, with long limbs and long, thin fingers.)
• Metabolic Cause – Hemochromatosis(is used to indicate the pathological effect of iron accumulation in any given organ, which mainly occurs in the form of haemosiderin.), Wilson’s Disease( autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which copper accumulates in tissues; this manifests as neurological or psychiatric symptoms and liver )
• Endocrine Cause– Growth hormonedisorders are also associated with early cartilage wear and secondary osteoarthritis.

Signs and Symptoms

• Onset Gradual
• Sex- Female:Male = 2:1
• Weight bearing Joints like Hip, Knee, shoulder, elbow and spinal joints are involved
• Pain intermittent then continuous
• Restricted Movement and Stiffness of joints
• Nocturnal Pain
• Stiff joints <Acitivity>Rest
• In females small joints are involved after menopausal age – Menopausal Arthritis