What Is Calcification Of Joints-Osteoarthritis?
The definition of calcification of joints or osteoarthritis is the most common joint problem, commonly known as arthritis, where the liaison between the joint and the cartilage is damaged. When this happens, joints stick together closely together with little benefit of cartilage absorption, resulting in symptoms such as pain, swelling, stiffness and decreased ability to move.
What Causes Calcification Of Knee-Osteoarthritis Joints?
The most common cause of calcification of osteoarthritis knee joints is due to age. Almost everyone will eventually experience some level of osteoarthritis. However, there are several factors that can increase the risk of experiencing significant arthritis at an earlier age.
- Age. The ability of the cartilage to heal decreases as a person grows older.
- Gender. Women over age 55 are more susceptible than men to having knee osteoarthritis.
- Athletics. Athletes involved in soccer, tennis, or long distance running may be at high risk of knee osteoarthritis. That means athletes should be careful to avoid injury. However, it is important to note that moderate exercise will strengthen the joints and may decrease the risk of osteoarthritis.
- Heredity. These include genetic mutations that may make a person more likely to have calcified knee joint-osteoarthritis. Probably also because of the congenital abnormalities of bone conditions that surround the knee joint.
- Weight. Weight gain can increase pressure on all joints, especially the knee.
- Activity. This is usually the result of the kind of work a person has. People with certain occupations that include many activities that can compress the joint, such as kneeling, squatting, or lifting heavy loads, are more likely to have calcified knee joint-osteoarthritis due to constant pressure on the joint.
- Other diseases. People with rheumatoid arthritis, the second most common type of arthritis, are also more susceptible to osteoarthritis. People with certain metabolic disorders, such as excess iron or excess growth hormone, are also at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis.
What Are The Symptoms Of Knee Barrier Osteoarthritis?
- Symptoms of osteoarthritis in the knee may include:
- Swelling
- Feel warm in joints
- Decreased knee function, making it difficult to walk or climb stairs
- The pain increases when you are active, but it will be a little better with rest
- Stiffness in the knee, especially in the morning or when you are finished sitting
How to Treat Calcification of Knee-Osteoarthritis Joints?
The main goal of treating knee osteoarthritis is to relieve pain and restore knee function as before. Treatment plans usually include a combination of the following:
- Sports. Muscle strengthening around the knee makes the joints more stable and reduces pain. Stretching exercises help keep the knee joint well and flexible.
- Alternative therapy. Some alternative therapies that may be effective include topical creams with capsaicin, acupuncture, or supplements.
- Pain relief and anti-inflammatory drugs. These include acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen sodium. Do not take this medicine without going to the doctor. Use for a long time increases the risk of possible side effects. If the drug does not provide relief, your doctor may give you other medications to help ease the pain.
- Weight loss. Losing weight, if necessary, can significantly reduce the pain of knee-joint osteoarthritis.
- Physical therapy. If you have problems with daily activities, physical therapy can help. Physical therapists teach you how to strengthen your muscles and increase the flexibility of your joints. Occupational therapists teach you how to perform daily activities, such as housework, with little pain.
- Injections of corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid to the knee. Steroids are good anti-inflammatory drugs. Hyaluronic acid is usually present in the joints as a type of lubricant.
- Operation. If other treatments are not better, surgery is a good choice.
How Does Knee Joint Or Osteoarthritis Be Diagnosed?
The diagnosis of knee osteoarthritis will begin with a physical examination by your doctor. Your doctor will also take your medical history and record any symptoms. You explain what makes the pain worse or better to help the doctor determine whether osteoarthritis or anything else, can cause the pain to appear. Also find out if anyone else in your family is suffering from arthritis. Your doctor may use additional tests, including:
- X-rays, which can show bone and cartilage damage and bone spurs
- Check with MRI
An MRI examination may be used when X-rays do not give clear results in joint pain or when X-rays show that other types of joint tissue can be damaged. Doctors can use blood tests to rule out other conditions that can cause pain, such as rheumatoid arthritis, different types of arthritis caused by abnormalities in the immune system.
Will Knee-Osteoarthritis Knee Bleeding Operation Be Done?
If your doctor wants to treat osteoarthritis in the knee with surgery, the options are arthroscopy, osteotomy, and arthroplasty.
Osteotomy is a procedure that aims to make knee alignment better by changing the shape of bone. This type of surgery may be recommended if you experience damage especially in one area of the knee. It may also be advisable if you have broken your knee and have not healed properly. Osteotomy is not permanent, and further surgery may be needed at a later date.
Arthroscopy uses a small telescope (arthroscope) and other small instruments. The operation is done through a small incision. The surgeon uses an arthroscope to look inside the bone. The surgeon can remove damaged cartilage or loose particles, clear the surface of the bone, and repair other types of tissue if the damage is found. This procedure is often used in younger patients (under 55 years of age) to delay more serious surgery.
Joint replacement surgery, or arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure in which the joints are replaced by an artificial part made of metal or plastic. The replacement may involve one side of the knee or the entire knee. Joint replacement surgery is usually reserved for people over 50 who experience severe osteoarthritis knee joint clearance. Operation has a risk, but the results are generally very good.