The risks of substituting biological medicinal without doctor’s authorization
21 February, 2018
Decalogue for rheumatic patients in summer
19 June, 2018
Approximately half of the adult population over 50 years of age shows radiological signs of osteoarthritis of the knee, although it is more common in women, especially after the age of 55.
What is it?
We talk about osteoarthritis when there is injury to the articular cartilage; this can affect different joints: hip, cervical, lumbar, hand, knee osteoarthritis. . .
The joints are the union between two bones and they allow us to move. The ends of the bones that come together to form the joint are covered by the articular cartilage and at the junction we find the auricular capsule which usually contains the synovial fluid.
When this joint cartilage is injured, pain, stiffness, and functional disability. Osteoarthritis is usually located in the cervical and lumbar spine, some shoulder and finger joints, the hip, the knee, and the joint at the beginning of the big toe.
Symptoms
- Pain: usually worse with overexertion or as the day progresses and it improves with rest.
- Stiffness: it is difficult to move the affected joint, especially after rest.
- Cracks, deformity, swelling, effusions. . .
It is important to differentiate osteoarthritis from arthritis; osteoarthritis is wear and tear and pain is mechanical, while arthritis is inflammation.
Why is that?
The cause of osteoarthritis may be the result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors, although in some cases it is due to a previous trauma, an infection, a congenital malformation. . .
Factors that increase the risk of osteoarthritis are:
- Age:if you are older you have a greater chance of having osteoarthritis
- Obesity: excess weight damages the joints
- Excessive physical exercise: causes overloading of the joint, either by excessive or improper use favoring the injury of the cartilage
- Certain occupations or work activities. . .
Diagnosis
If you have the symptoms listed above, your specialist doctor will perform tests to confirm the diagnosis
X-rays and synovial fluid analysis are usually done when there is joint effusion.
Osteoarthritis affects 10% of the Spanish population; approximately half of the adult population over 50 years shows radiological signs of osteoarthritis of the knee, although it is more frequent in women, especially after 55 years old.
Treatment
Osteoarthritis treatments are focused on: improve pain, slow the progression of the disease, and improve patient’s quality life. Your doctor will recommend the most appropriate treatment for you, but there you are some interesting tips:
- Avoid overweight: it increases the risk of suffering from osteoarthritis in the lower extremities (hip, knee).
- Do regular light aerobic exercise: it prevents muscle atrophy, overweight and helps control the disease.
- Local heat: hot baths or electric blanket help reduce pain.
- Orthopedic products: it may be interesting to use splints, canes or insoles. Consult a specialist.
For pharmacological treatment are two options:
– Fast acting medications (analgesics and anti-inflammatories) to relieve pain.
– Slow acting medications that, in addition to relieving pain, help to preserve the cartilage and slow disease progression.
– Oral route: condoitrin sulfate, glucosamine sulfate and diacerein
BLISScollagen is indicated for the proper functioning of joints due to its high analgesic and anti-inflammatory, as it increases the cartilage elasticity and improve collagen fibers formation.
+ INFO: https://www.bliscare.es/bliscolageno/
+ INFO: https://www. blisscare. es/producto/blisscolageno-one/
Infiltrations: hyaluronic acid is injected into the affected joint.
BIOVISCortho and BIOVISCorthoSINGLE are highly effective and safe products for the reduction of joint pain. They act as a lubricant and cushion for the arthritic joint, the function of the natural synovial fluid.