Article Text
Articles
Conservative management of osteoarthrosis
Abstract
Osteoarthrosis (osteoarthritis) can be regarded as excessive joint wear and tear to the point where this becomes painful or produces stiffness. It is most disabling in weight-bearing joints, in which wearing away of articular cartilage is accompanied by underlying bony overgrowth and accumulation of a synovial effusion. The mechanism of the pain is uncertain: capsular strains and deep bone sensation may contribute. Diagnosis requires the exclusion of inflammatory arthritis such as rheumatoid; pointers to the latter are morning stiffness, raised ESR, positive tests for rheumatoid factor in the serum and radiological evidence of joint erosions.