Pathogenesis (development of disease) Age-related wear and tear is not the cause of osteoarthritis; rather, acute damage to articular cartilage from trauma or infection is usually at the beginning of joint destruction. Insufficient matrix synthesis and/or increased apoptosis (programmed cell death) of the chondrocytes (cartilage cells) are discussed as pathogenetic mechanisms. In osteoarthritis, the following … Osteoarthritis: Causes
General measures Activated osteoarthritis (osteoarthritis with signs of inflammation): Systemic or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (see “Drug therapy” below). Immobilization of the joint Local cold application Intra-articular (“into the joint cavity”) glucocorticoids. Nicotine restriction (refraining from tobacco use). Limited alcohol consumption (men: max. 25 g alcohol per day; women: max. 12 g alcohol per … Osteoarthritis: Therapy
Medical history (history of illness) represents an important component in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis. Family history Are there any diseases of the bones and joints in your family that are common? What is the general health of your relatives? Social history What is your profession? Do you have heavy physical workload in your job? Current … Osteoarthritis: Medical History
Chondroitin sulfate belongs to the group of mucopolysaccharides and is a component of cartilage, connective tissue, tendons and skin. Chondroitin sulfate is a sulfated GAG – glycosaminoglycan – and one of the main components of cartilage ground substance. It inhibits the activity of cartilage-degrading lytic enzymes. Deficiency of chondroitin sulfate and other glycosaminoglycans leads to … Chondroitin Therapy
Differential diagnoses for coxarthrosis (osteoarthritis of the hip joint) Cardiovascular (I00-I99). Peripheral arterial occlusive disease (pAVD) – progressive narrowing or occlusion of the arteries supplying the arms/ (more commonly) legs, usually due to atherosclerosis (arteriosclerosis, hardening of the arteries) Mouth, esophagus (esophagus), stomach and intestines (K00-K67; K90-K93). Inguinal hernia (inguinal hernia). Musculoskeletal system and connective … Osteoarthritis: Or something else? Differential Diagnosis
The following are the most important diseases or complications that can be caused by osteoarthritis: Musculoskeletal system and connective tissue (M00-M99). Arthritis (joint inflammation) – this is characterized by inflammatory changes that take as synovitis (synovial inflammation) their origin in the joint capsule. Movement restriction Joint malpositions Gonarthrosis (knee joint arthrosis), contralateral with coxarthrosis (hip … Osteoarthritis: Complications
Glucosamine sulfate – an amine monosaccharide – is an essential (vital) building block of glycosaminoglycans (GAG) – major components of cartilage ground substance – hyaluronic acid and synovium (“synovial fluid“). Studies have shown that glucosamine sulfate – a vital substance* (micronutrient) – was able to increase proteoglycan synthesis and thus also synovial viscosity, i.e. the … Glucosamine Therapy
Hyaluronan, the sodium salt of hyaluronic acid, is a polysaccharide, more specifically a glycosaminoglycan (GAG), that is an essential component of the extracellular matrix (extracellular matrix, intercellular substance, ECM, ECM) in almost all vertebrates. Hyaluronic acid is almost ubiquitous (“found everywhere”). It occurs in higher concentrations mainly in the skin, cartilage, intervertebral discs and synovial … Hyaluronic Acid Therapy
