Osteoarthritis is a disorder that affects the joints, causing joint pain, stiffness, and a slow and progressive decrease in mobility. This disease leads to the wear and tear of the cartilage that lines the joints due to a complex interaction of biomechanical, genetic, and biochemical factors that also affect the bone and the membrane lining the joint. It is estimated that up to 70% of the population over 50 years of age has radiological signs of osteoarthritis in at least one joint in the body, such as the spine, knees, hips, or hands.
Although osteoarthritis is a widespread process that affects all the structures that make up the joint, the articular cartilage is the main protagonist of this pathology.
The first visible change is the loss of the smooth, homogeneous appearance of the cartilage due to a reduction in the number of cells that compose it. Next, fissures and small cracks form, which then develop into deep vertical clefts that reach the underlying bone. A reparative reaction occurs at the edges of these clefts. Finally, progressive disintegration of the cartilage takes place, directly exposing the bone beneath. This results in the release of cartilage fragments (loose bodies) and bone into the joint cavity, which can trigger an inflammatory reaction within the joint itself.
Some of the factors that are directly related to the progressive deterioration of the joint:
• Age: Wear and tear on joints increases with age
• Obesity: Increased body weight is a significant factor in the development of osteoarthritis, especially in the lumbar spine, hips, and knees. Greater weight means greater stress on these structures and increased wear and tear.
• Injury or overuse: Athletes and people with jobs that require repetitive movements have a higher risk of developing osteoarthritis. This is the case for professional soccer players who suffer from knee osteoarthritis, or jackhammer operators who suffer from elbow and wrist osteoarthritis.
• Genetics: Hereditary alterations affect the shape or stability of the joints and can lead to the development of osteoarthritis.
Some of the symptoms that may occur with advanced disease are:
• Pain: This is the main symptom of osteoarthritis, called mechanical because it improves or even disappears at rest and worsens with physical exercise or movement.
• Deformity: In advanced cases, deformity and alteration in joint alignment may appear.
• Inflammation and accumulation of synovial fluid: Approximately one-third of patients experience episodes of swelling and accumulation of synovial fluid within the joint, known as joint effusion. This is especially common in the knee. The joint fluid associated with osteoarthritis has few cells and is clear and viscous.
• Atrophy of adjacent muscles: In advanced cases, atrophy of adjacent muscles occurs, contributing to joint instability. At this stage, varying degrees of joint deformity may be present, with limited mobility and a progressive loss of joint function.
If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, you may be suffering from osteoarthritis. Therefore, don’t hesitate to ask about our regenerative treatments with mesenchymal stem cells or platelet-rich plasma from your own blood to improve your quality of life.
