StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Spondylosis Purpose - Essay Example

Cite this document
Summary
This paper analysis the epidemiology, morbidity and costs linked with these degenerative diseases. The paper also looks into the impact of conventional health care particularly the side effects and the after effects of common drugs used. …
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER94% of users find it useful
Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Spondylosis Purpose
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Spondylosis Purpose"

Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Spondylosis Purpose/Rationale By definition Degenerative Joint Disease is a degeneration or ‘wear and tear’ of articular cartilage usually accompanied by an overgrowth of bone (osteophytes), narrowing of the joint space, sclerosis or hardening of bone at the joint surface, and deformity in joints (Druginfonet.com, 2003). Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Spondylosis both fall into this category. This paper analysis the epidemiology, morbidity and costs linked with these degenerative diseases. The paper also looks into the impact of conventional health care particularly the side effects and the after effects of common drugs used. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is generally caused by excess stress on the joint and causes pain, swelling, and a decrease in knee motion. A common symptom is morning stiffness that decreases with use. The knee may also pop of click, or even lock up at times (Quinn, 2006). OA Knee usually occurs in knees that have experienced trauma, infection or injury. A smooth, slippery, fibrous connective tissue called articular cartilage acts as a protective cushion between bones. Arthritis develops as the cartilage begins to deteriorate. As the articular cartilage is lost, the joint space between the bones narrows resulting in osteoarthritis (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2003). Cervical Spondylosis is the most common disorder of the cervical spine. It is caused by degenerative changes in the vertebrae and intervertebral discs that occur as a result of ageing or due to injury or rheumatoid disease (Virtual Medical Centre, 2006). Neck pain and stiffness that gets progressively worse may be an indication of cervical spondylosis. Bones in the neck (cervical spine) progressively degenerate as age progresses. Arthritis of the neck (cervical spondylosis) may result from bony spurs and problems with ligaments and disks. The spinal canal may narrow (stenosis) and compress the spinal cord and nerves to the arms. Injuries can also cause spinal cord compression. The pain that results may range from mild discomfort to severe, crippling dysfunction (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 2001). Epidemiology, Morbidity and Costs Osteoarthritis of knee is one of the most common disorders, and is responsible for higher morbidity, particularly in the old age or the second half of human life. Therefore, there is a burden on health from both morbidity and cost (Qing-yu, et al, 2006). According to the Bone and Joint Decade 2000-2010, which is endorsed by the United Nations and supported by more than 750 organizations and institutions, 40% of people over 70 suffer from osteoarthritis of the knee around the world. 80% of patients with osteoarthritis have some degree of limitation of movement, and 25% cannot perform their major daily activities of life. Evidence suggests that women have a higher incidence of osteoarthritis than men across all age groups, and overall have an incidence of 2.95 per 1000 population, compared with 1.71 per 1000 population in men. Despite problems of defining the global burden of disease, the WHO Scientific Group on the Burden of Musculoskeletal Conditions and The Bone and Joint Decade estimate that 10% of the world’s population who are 60 years or older have significant clinical problems that can be attributed to osteoarthritis (Bone and Joint Decade, 2000). In the case of Cervical spondylosis, the course of cervical spondylosis may be slow and prolonged, and patients may either remain asymptomatic or have mild cervical pain. Long periods of non-progressive disability are typical, and in a few cases, the patients condition progressively deteriorates. Morbidity ranges from chronic neck pain, radicular pain, diminished cervical range of motion (ROM), headache, myelopathy leading to weakness, and impaired fine motor coordination to quadriparesis and/or sphincteric dysfunction (for example, difficulty with bowel or bladder control) in advanced cases. The patient may be eventually chair-bound or bedridden and is also responsible for significant socioeconomic costs (WebMD, 2005). Impact of conventional health care Many medications are available for relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis. However treatment of OA depends upon multiple factors including patient age, activities, medical condition, and x-ray findings. Patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis of weight-bearing joints (hips and knees) may benefit from a supervised exercise program such as walking. A first line of simple treatment include the use of acetaminophen (Tylenol) which is effective and has less side effects than other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin. Glucosamine-chondroitin sulfate may be prescribed by the doctor. This medication, when taken over a period of months, may reduce pain and symptoms by restoring or replenishing nutrition to diseased cartilage cells. It tends to be more effective in earlier stages of OA. Patients who fail to improve on acetaminophen or glucosamine are further treated with salicylates and other oral anti-inflammatories ( NSAIDs). Intra-articular (within the joint) injections of steroids may also be helpful, although the duration and amount of pain relief is often unpredictable, especially in more advanced stages of OA. Alternative injections of hyaluronic acid peparations (sodium hyaluronate) are also available in the treatment of OA. Surgery may be dramatically effective for patients with severe osteoarthritis of the weight-bearing joints. Total knee replacement or unicompartmental (partial) knee replacement can be extremely effective (Druginfonet.com, 2003). A major analysis indicated that drug therapy is generally more effective than non-drug treatments (surgery, acupuncture). Drugs such as Acetaminophen are inexpensive and generally safe. It poses far less of a risk for gastrointestinal problems than NSAIDs and does not appear to increase the risk for miscarriage (as NSAIDs do), even when used regularly. It does have some adverse effects, however, and the daily dose should not exceed 4 grams (4,000 mg). Patients who take high doses of this drug for long periods are at risk for liver damage, particularly if they drink alcohol and do not eat regularly. A 2004 review, published in the British Medical Journal, suggested that long-term use of NSAIDs does not actually reduce osteoarthritis pain and may increase patients risk of experiencing side effects. High dosages of NSAIDs can cause heart problems (such as increased blood pressure), kidney problems, and stomach bleeding (A.D.A.M. Quality, N.D.). In the case of mild cervical spondylosis, no treatment is required. Symptoms from cervical spondylosis usually stabilize or regress with simple, conservative therapy including a cervical collar (neck brace) to restrict motion and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs). Cortisone injections to specific areas of irritation may also be helpful. In these cases also the side effects remain the same as that of osteoarthritis. Rarely, intermittent neck traction may be recommended instead of, or in addition to, a cervical collar. This usually consists of a halter-like device placed on the head and neck and attached to pulleys and weights. For severe cases, hospitalization with complete bed rest and traction for 1 or 2 weeks may be needed. Narcotic medicine or muscle relaxants may help to reduce pain. Surgical decompression of the spinal cord in the neck may be recommended for severe pain or for significant loss of movement, sensation, or function. Surgical procedures may involve removal of bone and disc tissue impinging on the nerves of the spinal cord and stabilization of the neck by fusing the cervical vertebrae (drugs.com, 2006). In conclusion, both the degenerative disease can be diagnosed and treated effectively through exercises and mild medications. However it is essential to identify the condition and look for an early intervention. This will not only reduce the cost of the treatment but also the patient undergoes less trauma. References A.D.A.M. Quality, (N.D.) Osteoarthritis, Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://adam.about.com/reports/000035_9.htm American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (2003) Frequently Asked Questions about Osteoarthritis of the Knee, Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=418&topcategory=Knee American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, (2001) Cervical Spondylosis, Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/fact/thr_report.cfm?Thread_ID=304&topcategory=Neck Bone and Joint Decade, (2000) The Global Economic and Healthcare Burden of Musculoskeletal Disease, Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.ota.org/downloads/bjdExecSum.pdf drugs.com, (2006) Cervical spondylosis, Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.drugs.com/enc/cervical_spondylosis.html Druginfonet.com, (2003) Health Encyclopedia - Diseases and Conditions: Degenerative Joint Disease, Drug Infonet, Inc. Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.healthscout.com/ency/416/577/main.html Qing-yu, Z. et al, (2006) Associated risk factors of knee osteoarthritis: a population survey in Taiyuan, China, Chin Med J 2006; 119 (18):1522-1527. Quinn, E. (2006) Osteoarthritis of the Knee, About, Inc., Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://sportsmedicine.about.com/cs/knee_injuries/a/knee4.htm Virtual Medical Centre, (2006) Cervical Spondylosis, Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.virtualbonecentre.com/diseases.asp?did=505 WebMD, (2005) Cervical Spondylosis, Retrieved October 12, 2006, from http://www.emedicine.com/PMR/topic27.htm Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Essay”, n.d.)
Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Essay. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1537863-degenerative-joint-diseases-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee-and-cervical-spondylosis-purpose
(Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Essay)
Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Essay. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1537863-degenerative-joint-diseases-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee-and-cervical-spondylosis-purpose.
“Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Essay”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/health-sciences-medicine/1537863-degenerative-joint-diseases-osteoarthritis-of-the-knee-and-cervical-spondylosis-purpose.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Degenerative Joint Diseases: Osteoarthritis of the Knee and Cervical Spondylosis Purpose

Medical Intervention with the Disease of Osteoarthritis

osteoarthritis is a disease of the human skeletal structure which predominantly consists of the degeneration of bone at the various joints in the skeletal frame.... hellip; osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthritis, a condition in which joint cartilage degenerates or breaks down, as was introduced (Brandt 1988).... Scientific investigations have clarified that the disease of osteoarthritis is common in older people following years of wear-and-tear that thin the cartilage and the bones (Davis 1988)....
8 Pages (2000 words) Essay

Foundation in Acupuncture

They performed this study in a randomised controlled trial design involving 73 patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis of the knee.... Osteoarthritis is a disease of the knee joints with destruction of articular cartilages leading to pain and restriction of motion.... For this purpose, three studies were located, and they will be reviewed below.... (1999) investigated the efficacy of acupuncture as an therapy of adjunct for relief of pain and dysfunction in elderly patients with knee osteoarthritis....
5 Pages (1250 words) Essay

Back Injury of South African Female Gymnasts

After a week, the completed questionnaires were sent back to the same respondents for the purpose of checking the reliability of the answers.... Through the use of questionnaires, prevalence of radiological changes among South African female artistic gymnasts in two seasons has been determined....
4 Pages (1000 words) Research Paper

Why Women Are More Prone to Knee Injuries than Men

the knee, or tibiofemoral, joint is the largest and one of the most complex and most frequently injured joints in the body.... Compared to the hip joint, the knee joint is relatively unprotected by surrounding muscles.... Consequently the knee, more often than the hip, is injured by blows or sudden stops and turns.... the knee joint is the major weight-bearing joint of the body.... hellip; Athletes, for example, frequently tear a knee cartilage, that is, one of the menisci. In most of our day-to-day activities- even such ordinary ones such as walking, going up and down stairs, and getting into and out of chairs- our knees bear the brunt of the load; they are the main weight bearers....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Women Empowerment

Women empowerment in various fields, including sports, had become a trend in different regions of the world.... One of the evidences to this fact is extraordinarily established in the growing number of competitive women in the field of gymnastics as accounted by Marshal, et al.... 2007; Kolt and Kirkby, 1999; Richards et al....
5 Pages (1250 words) Research Paper

Meniscus of the Knee

It is triangular in cross section and is attached to the lining of the knee joint along its periphery.... These usually occur from a twisting injury or a blow to the side of the knee that causes the meniscus to be levered against and compressed.... The menisci also cup the joint surfaces of the femur and therefore provide some degree of stabilization to the knee.... There are two menisci in a normal knee; the outside one is called the lateral meniscus, the inner one the medial meniscus. … The menisci play an important role in absorbing about a third of the impact load that the joint cartilage surface sees....
4 Pages (1000 words) Essay

Revealing Degenerative Joint Disease on Earlier Societies

By studying archaeologically-retrieved human skeletons for evidence of degenerative joint disease, much can be determined about the common activities of the people under investigation.... degenerative joint disease is also known as osteoarthritis, DJD or osteoarthrosis.... In conjunction with this break down, there is usually an accompanying overgrowth of bone, a narrowing of the joint space, a hardening of the bone within the joint surfaces and a creeping deformity in the joints themselves (Burnett, 2005)....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay

Connective Tissue Disorders in Rheumatoid Arthritis and Osteoarthritis

From the paper "Connective Tissue Disorders in Rheumatoid Arthritis and osteoarthritis" it is clear that in Rheumatoid Arthritis it is recommended that a test for a defect in the synovium is carried out first.... The main emphasis of this essay would be on Rheumatoid Arthritis and osteoarthritis which is a connective tissue disorder.... One of the most common disorders of connective tissue is osteoarthritis which has become a great concern for the developed nations....
8 Pages (2000 words) Case Study
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us