October 12 is World Arthritis Day. Arthritic diseases are the largest group of chronic diseases worldwide. In Europe, 120 million people suffer from them.
The day was first celebrated in 1996 and aims to improve awareness among the medical community, people with rheumatic diseases and the public. Through various initiatives on this day, the attention of the responsible institutions is drawn to the difficulties faced by people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases and the measures that must be taken to overcome them.
Arthritis is generally an inflammation of the joints, which can affect the articular cartilage, the underlying bone surfaces, the condition of the joint capsule and the fluid inside it. The most common symptoms are pain, stiffness and limited joint mobility, swelling and redness of the skin over the affected joint, and later joint deformities. There are over 100 types of arthritis, among which the most common are osteoarthritis, also known as osteoarthritis, arthrosis or degenerative joint disease, rheumatoid arthritis, Bekhterev's disease, etc.
Traditional therapy includes nutritional and exercise regimens, physical therapy, anti-inflammatory drugs – by mouth or in the form of corticosteroid injections. Unfortunately, operative intervention is often required – arthroscopy, osteotomy, endoprosthetics – artificial joint, PRP-therapy.
Source: www.plovdiv-press.bg