Med. praxi. 2018;15(4):215-220 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2018.040

Management of osteoarthritis in general practice

MUDr. Luděk Ryba, Ph.D.¹, doc. MUDr. Richard Chaloupka, CSc.¹, doc. MUDr. Martin Repko, Ph.D.¹, PhDr. Iva Marková²

¹ Ortopedická klinika MU LF Brno a FN Brno

² Fakulta zdravotnických studií, Univerzita Pardubice

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease caused by degeneration of cartilage with subsequent reaction and remodelingof surrounding joint tissue. In the primary form it is caused by aging and increases with higher age. In the secondary form, mainlythe influence of congenital changes, accidents and general systemic disease driven by a host of inflammatory mediators withinthe affected joint accelerate degeneration. Subjectively, it is manifested mainly in the form of pain, gradual swelling and limitedrange of movement of a particular joint. It is a long-term process with varying intensity. It mainly affects the hip and knee jointbut can occur on any joint including small joints of the hand and foot. In addition to clinical findings, according to X-ray as thebasic examination, there are 4 degrees of osteoarthritis. Therapy must be comprehensive. The basis is non-pharmacologicaltreatment, including education and motivation of the patient, regular exercise, weight loss in adults with obesity, physiotherapyand supporting aids. Pharmacologically the most frequent use is of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics or corticoidapplication into the joints. These affect pain, inflammation, without affecting degenerative changes. The process of degenerationcan be partially affected by "symptomatic slow acting drugs of osteoarthritis", known as SYSADOA. This group of SYSADOA is usedas general administration or into the joint. Consideration of surgical opportunities is always present.

Keywords: osteoartritid, degenerative ganges, joint, pharmacotherapy, viscosupplementation

Published: September 1, 2018  Show citation