JOINT PAIN? OSTEOARTHRITIS
What is Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is caused by breakdown of joint cartilage resulting in loss in its capacity to absorb impacts. No definite known c ause is known but genetics, age, general wear and tear, joint diseases like rhe umatoid arthritis, Gout and congenital defects, extra body weight, repeated or single injury and post- menopause Estrogen deficiency may play a role. How is Osteoarthritis diagnosed?
Patient may feel pain, stiffness, grating sensation , loss of mobility, warm, swelling and deformity of the joint. X-rays, MRI / CT, Dynamometry and Genometry help es tablish the disease.
What treatments are available for O.A.?
Till now there was no satisfactory treatment though pain killer medicines, Herbs, hot/cold application s and supportive measures like weight loss, rest, nutriti on, exercise, paraffin bath and assistive devices c an make life easier. Surgical treatments include Arthroscopy, Osteotomy, Arthrodesis and Joint replacement. They all have their limitations. The n ew non-surgical Cytotron Therapy studied at Institute of Aerospace Medicine and Centre for Advanced Research and Development has good results.
