Educational paper on osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is the most common joint disease.The main pathologic manifestation of disease is localdestruction of cartilage in diarthrodial joint. New bone formation in marginal surface of the joint is a signprogressive disease.Many systemic and local factors are introduced in initiate and progression of osteoarthritis include:age, sex, weight, race, genetic background, bone densitometry, sex hormones, endocrine and metabolicdisease, nutrition status, major and frequent minor trauma to joint, occupational or exercise over stressesto joint, congenital or developmental defect in joint and previous infectious or inflammatory jointdiseases.Early clinical manifestations often are intermittent mild pain in joint, frequently after joint use, mildstiffness with vague pain in periarthicular muscle.Diagnosis of osteoarthritis is simply with history, physical examination and X-Ray. At now there isn’tdefinitive laboratory test for diagnosis.Overall osteoarthritis is destructive joint disease without cure, but we must be following the patientsand don’t leave them until complete cartilage destruction. Careful approach of physician with thesepatients can prevent more damage or at least delay it.