Autoimmune/inflammatory syndrome induced by adjuvants (ASIA) in 2023

Protein Misfolding And Degenerative Diseases

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Knee Instability: Isolated And Complex

The past decade has seen several advances in the understanding, evaluation, treatment, and rehabilitation of knee instabilities. Despite these advances, an unstable knee still poses many challenges to the treating clinician because of the complexity of its nature and the demands of the patients who are usually young and active sport enthusiasts. This article presents an overview of the various aspects of knee ligament instabilities.

Stability and instability

Stability of the knee joint is maintained by the shape of the condyles and menisci in combination with passive supporting structures. These are the four major ligaments, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), the medial collateral ligament (MCL), and the lateral collateral ligament (LCL). Significant contributions are also made by the posteromedial and posterolateral capsular components and the iliotibial tract. The muscles acting over the joint provide secondary dynamic stability.

Instability resulting from ligament injury may result from direct or indirect trauma. The most frequent mechanism is "non-contact" involving cutting, twisting, jumping, and sudden deceleration.

Assessment

This begins with a detailed history, including a description of the injury. The timing of an effusion (acute haemarthrosis usually occurs within two hours) and hearing or feeling a "pop" (highly suggestive of an ACL injury) are significant events. Chronic instabilities present with mechanical symptoms such as locking, catching, clicking, or giving way, particularly with twisting movements. Age, occupation, lifestyle, level of sporting activity, and past history are all factors considered in subsequent management. Initial physical examination may be difficult because of swelling, pain, or muscle spasm. The specific physical signs are described below. Investigations must include plain radiographs of the knee. These may show fractures, avulsions, osteochondral fragments, or the fluid level of a haemarthrosis.

If a clear diagnosis is made, a specific treatment can be started. If an adequate examination is possible, but diagnosis …

Everything You Need To Know About Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis may cause joint pain and stiffness. Certain medications, lifestyle changes, and surgery could help relieve pain and inflammation.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint condition that causes inflammation, stiffness, and pain in the joints.

It's the most common type of arthritis, affecting nearly 32.5 million people in the United States.

Over time, osteoarthritis may reduce mobility and impact your quality of life, but treatments could help slow the progression of the disease.

Keep reading to learn more about the symptoms, types, causes, and treatments for osteoarthritis.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis may vary depending on the severity of your condition and which part of your body is affected.

The most common symptoms of osteoarthritis may include:

As osteoarthritis becomes more advanced, the pain associated with it may become more intense. Over time, swelling in the joint and surrounding area may also occur.

Learn more about the symptoms of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is caused by gradual joint and cartilage damage.

Cartilage is a tough, rubbery substance that protects the ends of bones within a joint, allowing them to move easily against each other. With osteoarthritis, this cartilage breaks down over time, leading to bones rubbing against each other. This may cause intense pain and other osteoarthritis symptoms.

Researchers don't yet know the underlying cause of this gradual joint degeneration, according to the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases.

However, several osteoarthritis risk factors have been identified, which may contribute to the development and progression of the condition. These may include:

genetics, such as having a family member with the condition

past injuries, such as torn cartilage, dislocated joints, or ligament injuries

being age 50 years and older

being assigned female at birth

having overweight or obesity

having gone through menopause

having an occupation that involves kneeling, climbing, heavy lifting, or similar actions

having another medical condition that affects your joint health, such as a different type of arthritis

Learn more about the possible causes of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis may affect different parts of your body.

It most commonly affects the knees and hips, but it may occur in any joint. Other types of osteoarthritis include:

Osteoarthritis is a progressive condition, which means symptoms may spread to other parts of your body. Having osteoarthritis in one part of your body may also increase your risk of developing the condition in other body parts, according to the Arthritis Foundation.

Osteoarithis is a progressive condition that may be classified into four stages. This may depend on the severity of your symptoms and the degree of joint and cartilage damage.

The four stages of osteoarthritis are:

Stage 1 (Mild): You may experience early symptoms of osteoarthritis, but your cartilage is still in good shape.

Stage 2 (Moderate): You may experience sharp, acute symptoms. Your cartilage is showing signs of wear and tear.

Stage 3 (Advanced): You may experience constant osteoarthritis symptoms, especially when you apply weight to the affected joint. The joint cartilage is also almost completely gone.

Stage 4 (Severe): This is the most severe form of osteoarthritis. You may experience:

severe pain, stiffness, and inflammation

decreased range of motion

joint instability, such as sudden locking or buckling

other symptoms, such as muscle weakness, bone spurs, and joint deformity

During stage 4 osteoarthritis, you'll likely need surgery to reduce your symptoms and increase mobility, function, and quality of life.

Learn more about the four stages of osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition that usually develops gradually. It may be hard to provide an accurate diagnosis in the early stages.

A healthcare professional will start with a physical examination and ask about your symptoms and medical history.

They may then order imaging tests to get a better look at your joints, such as X-ray or MRI.

In some cases, a doctor may order an ESR blood test or a synovial (joint) fluid analysis to see if other conditions may be causing inflammation or joint pain. Some conditions they may rule out include:

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, check out our Healthline FindCare tool.

There's no cure for osteoarthritis, but treatment will aim to help:

relieve symptoms

increase joint flexibility, mobility, and function

reduce inflammation

increase your quality of life

A healthcare professional can help develop the best treatment plan for you. This may vary for every individual depending on several factors, such as the severity of your symptoms and which part of your body is affected.

Your osteoarthritis treatment plan will typically include a combination of treatments. These may include:

lifestyle changes, such as exercise, sleep, and weight management

dietary changes, such as eating anti-inflammatory foods

natural remedies, such as yoga, supplements, and cold and heat therapies

over-the-counter (OTC) medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

prescription medications, such as corticosteroids

physical therapy

assistive devices, such as knee braces

surgery, such as total knee replacement and osteotomy

Learn more about the different treatments for osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis may lead to a variety of physical, mental, and emotional complications if left untreated.

A common complication of osteoarthritis is increased stiffness in your joints, which could lead to impaired balance and mobility. According to the Arthritis Foundation, this may significantly increase your risk of falling, which could lead to minor or severe injuries.

Other possible complications of osteoarthritis may include:

Learn more about the complications of osteoarthritis.

You may have risk factors for osteoarthritis that you can't change, such as heredity and age.

However, there are several modifiable risk factors that could be prevented with the following tips:

Learn more about how to prevent osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) share similar symptoms, but they're two different conditions.

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative condition, which means it increases in severity over time.

RA may also cause progressive joint damage over time if left untreated.

However, RA is an autoimmune disorder. This means the immune system mistakenly attacks the healthy, soft lining (synovium) around your joints. As the immune system launches its assault, fluid buildup occurs within the joint. This causes stiffness, pain, swelling, and inflammation.

If you're unsure which form of arthritis you may have, speak with a doctor. They can provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan for your condition.

Learn more about the differences between osteoarthritis and RA.

What is the best thing to do for osteoarthritis?

The best treatment for osteoarthritis will depend on the type and severity of your symptoms. Exercising, eating a well-balanced diet, and following your treatment plan could help improve symptoms, mobility, and quality of life.

What is the number 1 treatment for osteoarthritis?

The best treatment for osteoarthritis will depend on several factors, such as the severity of your symptoms. For example, lifestyle changes and natural remedies may be enough to help manage stages 1 and 2 osteoarthritis. However, stages 3 and 4 osteoarthritis may require more invasive treatments, such as surgery.

What should you not do with osteoarthritis?

If you have osteoarthritis, it's best to avoid high impact activities, twisting the affected joint, or putting excessive strain on the affected joint.

Osteoarthritis is a chronic condition that may cause inflammation, pain, and stiffness in your joints.

Although there's no cure, a treatment plan could help manage your symptoms, increase mobility, and improve your quality of life.

Speak with a healthcare professional if you think you may have osteoarthritis. They could provide a proper diagnosis and develop a treatment plan that's right for you.

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