Arthritis and its treatment
The term arthritis is used to describe the pain, stiffness, and swelling that affects many of the joints in the human body.
This disease affects people of all ages, often children, but is more common in older people.
Also, arthritis is not a single disease but on the contrary has many different types.
Despite the fact that there is no cure for arthritis, in recent years therapeutic techniques have improved greatly in order to facilitate the patient’s daily life.
Especially in inflammatory arthropathies such as rheumatoid arthritis, there has been great progress and it is crucial that this treatment begins as early as possible.
The etiology of arthritis is not known. There are several factors that influence both its appearance and its development. Epidemiological studies have shown that there is a hereditary predisposition that participates in its occurrence.
CLINICAL APPEARANCE AND TREATMENT
Arthritis adversely affects people’s lives. Pain and stiffness make movements difficult and symptoms can change from day to day. This is how the correlation of symptoms with activity, fatigue, weather conditions and the psychology of the patient is interpreted. Proper treatment aims to improve these symptoms and make the lives of patients more comfortable.
The most common form of arthritis is osteoarthritis and is the most benign form of the disease. The joints are destroyed slowly, it is more common in women and affects the knees, hands, hips and spine.
Rheumatoid arthritis, on the other hand, is an inflammatory arthritis and is an autoimmune disease. The symptoms are similar to osteoarthritis but are more severe and are accompanied by the patient’s general malaise.
It is common for people to have occasional muscle and joint pain, but when these symptoms persist, the patient should see their doctor in order to make the correct diagnosis and follow the correct treatment as soon as possible.
It is also necessary for the patient to understand their problem and follow the appropriate exercise, physiotherapy and diet program (if they are overweight).
However, when the affected joint has major radiological changes and the patient’s symptoms occur even at rest or at night, then surgical treatment should be indicated.
- In many joints, the solution is provided by joint replacement (arthroplasty).
- In other joints, the solution is provided by joint replacement (arthroplasty).
- In other joints, other surgical techniques are required, which the patient should always discuss with his or her doctor.
