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Osteoartrose.jfif

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a chronic degenerative joint disease characterized by progressive degradation of cartilage and other joint components, resulting in pain, stiffness, and loss of joint mobility.

 

In most cases, it is a disease that progresses over several years and its prevalence increases with age, being very common after the age of 65.

 

It is the most common rheumatic disease, and it is estimated that it will affect 1 in 3 people in the coming decades. Age is not the only risk factor for developing this condition.

 

Lifestyle-related factors such as exposure to tobacco smoke, obesity, type of occupation or profession, history of repetitive trauma or previous fracture are all very important risk factors.

 

Additionally, certain diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, psoriatic arthritis, or hemochromatosis can cause osteoarthritis, especially in younger individuals. The most common locations affected are the knee, hip, spine, and hands.

 

There is no treatment that has proven effective in reversing the structural changes associated with this disease. However, implementing a multidisciplinary therapeutic approach, which includes pharmacological therapies for pain relief, physiotherapy and exercise for muscle strengthening, lifestyle modification, and, in selected cases, intra-articular interventions, can lead to significant improvement in pain and functionality, preserving the patient's quality of life. 

Useful Links:

https://spreumatologia.pt/

https://www.lpcdr.org.pt/info-doente/patologias/osteoartrose

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