• May 4, 2024

Advanced age, obesity and joint injuries are the main risk factors to develop osteoarthritis , the most common form of osteoarthritis.

It is an articular disease that manifests itself when the cartilage located between the bones wears, so that they rub against each other and cause pain, swelling and loss of movement.

The main symptom of this pathology is intense pain, which increases with the passage of time to cause difficulty to move and walk, which eventually leads to inability to perform daily activities.

The most affected joints are the spine, hip, knee, hand, shoulder and ankle. This condition affects men more than women, "says Alejandro Fernández, a specialist at the Osteoarthritis Center at Angeles Pedregal Hospital.

Diagnosis and treatment

To diagnose osteoarthritis, a physical examination is performed, along with radiological studies that allow the loss of articular cartilage and, in some cases, laboratory tests.

Although the diagnosis of osteoarthritis is based on a complete physical examination and radiographic studies, there are complementary tests such as nuclear magnetic resonance and computerized axial tomography with 3D reconstruction, which can help establish the treatment, "explains the expert.

The treatment of this disease begins with the identification of its causes. Joint pain can be relieved with rest; However, as time goes by, it may worsen and require the prescription of analgesics.

When joint wear is severe and it is not possible to control symptoms with medication and rest, the alternative is joint replacement through prosthesis placement: a procedure with a high percentage of success. Patients recover their function and quality of life they had before they began to suffer the discomfort.

If the medical treatment does not allow an improvement, a surgical intervention is performed, which can be minimally invasive, through an arthroscopic procedure or through osteotomies, partial or total prostheses; depends on the degree of wear of each joint, "adds the special.

It can be prevented ...

Although the natural consequence of our physical activities can cause osteoarthritis, they can prevent, or at least delay their symptoms, by avoiding overweight and repetitive or forced movements, "according to Angeles Pedregal Hospital orthopedist René Ochoa.

It is also important to have an adequate diet, exercise, control weight and go to a specialist at the onset of symptoms; that is, if there is pain, inflammation and joint instability ".

Taking care of your health

Faced with the increase in the incidence of this disease, Angeles Pedregal Hospital recently opened the Osteoarthritis Center, which provides comprehensive multidisciplinary care and has highly qualified specialists, such as:

1. Orthopedists specialized in each joint
2. Internists and / or rheumatologists
3. Nutritionists
4. Physical therapists

This center has well-established care protocols, presentation and discussion of cases with the participation of specialists, current surgical techniques and close monitoring of the patient throughout his procedure. In addition to recent technology and adequate facilities for the treatment of this condition.

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