Other names: changing the shape of joints

Deformation of the joints of his severe coarsening is caused by increasing the adjacent bones that form the various projections called osteophytes. This change is symptomatic degenerative processes such as osteoarthritis, whose incidence increases with age due to mechanical wear of the articular surfaces (especially knee and hip). Osteophytes are seen on radiographs.

Deflection may occur also in inflammatory diseases, but rather a secondary finding in advanced forms such as rheumatoid arthritis. This disease is primarily characterized by joint deformities – joints are larger, creating noticeable bumps on the legs and deflect the axis of the limb to a different angle.Often, they often on the hands, which are affected joints connecting the metacarpal bones of the phalanges. Fingers are then rolled outwardly (from the view of the back of the hand). Similar changes may occur in the joints of the feet, the deformity leads to “hammer toes”, which significantly restrict walking and standing. The essence of this case are different dislocations, sprains, etc. as a consequence of inflammatory changes in the joint.

Therapy

In both cases, it is an important part of treatment, daily exercise, frequent rehabilitation andsupportive physical therapy and mostly in order to prevent these deformities and distortions. It is adisease of chronic nature, which develop gradually, and the aim of treatment is to slow the processand prevent these and other complications.

Regarding arthritis and that are addressed in advanced stages already operational with fairly good results.