“More and more people over 30 are suffering from osteoarthritis.”
When we talk about osteoarthritisWe all imagine the same thing Human third age with pain. However, as we emphasize in Dr. Francisco Castrorheumatologist at the Teknon Medical Center in Barcelona and one of the coordinators of the “IV course of Astrocis of the Spanish Society of Rheumatology”, this is no longer the case.
“Traditionally it was considered a disease associated with old age, but now osteoarthritis This also applies to people aged 30 to 40 years.. This phenomenon is caused by a combination of factors,” explains the rheumatologist.
This is a very common rheumatic disease. The prevalence is estimated to be 29.35% among people over 40 years of age, affecting more than seven million Spaniards and more than 600 people worldwide. Early detection “discovered” that it also affects most youth.
Hip dysplasia accounts for 20–50% of all cases of early degenerative osteoarthritis. /AdobeStock
Why does osteoarthritis appear in young people?
The specialist emphasizes that “in addition to genetic predisposition and certain work patterns, an increase in the number of sports activities associated with joint overload has become a risk factor for early osteoarthritis.
In addition, it is focused on the most “aggressive” sports, such as football or crossfit. “Growing practice high performance sportsWithout proper training, it contributes to premature wear of the joints.”
But this is not the only risk factor. Also obesity, which is critical.
“Not only does this increase stress on load-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, contributing to early osteoarthritis, but it is also associated with osteoarthritis in non-weight-bearing joints through mechanisms of metainflammation (metabolic inflammation that accompanies metabolic pathologies). )” .
Advances in regenerative therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis
regenerative therapy For osteoarthritis, they are looking for a more comprehensive approach that aims not only to relieve symptoms, but also to target the various joint structures affected, thereby modifying the course of the disease.
More than 7 million people in Spain suffer from osteoarthritis /AdobeStock
Dr. Lola Fernandez de la Fuente Bursonfrom the rheumatology service of the Quironsalud Infanta Luisa Hospital in Seville, emphasizes that “among the candidates for disease modification are biological agents, as well as innovative surgical procedures such as joint distraction.”
Besides, ” stem cell therapyPRP and exosomes show promising benefits in modulating inflammation and tissue regeneration.”
Main symptoms of osteoarthritis
Symptoms of osteoarthritis usually appear after age 40, but it can also affect much younger people, especially those who have had a history of joint trauma, such as an injury or tear to a ligament or meniscus, conditions that often occur at a high level. athletes.”
A patient’s clinical history, physical examination, imaging tests such as X-rays and MRIs, and laboratory tests will help the doctor make the most correct and accurate diagnosis of osteoarthritis.
These types of therapy are especially indicated for those patients who are in the early or moderate phase of the disease, since their ability to regenerate tissue is greater in joints with less irreversible structural damage.
Patients with rapidly progressive symptoms or a more inflammatory phenotype may particularly benefit from this treatment.
- “The main benefits of regenerative therapy include sustained pain relief, improved joint function and the ability to slow disease progression.”
Conclusive evidence for long-term structural regeneration of cartilage is still lacking, “but many studies show that functional and pain relief improvements which offer an alternative for patients who do not respond to other treatments.
The combination of synergistic therapy, as well as the support of artificial intelligence tools and machine learning Selecting the right patients “is an important step towards more personalized and effective treatment.”
Pain in osteoarthritis is mechanical, that is, it intensifies with movement. / Freepik
Main problems of osteoarthritis
He Dr. Cristobal Orellanafrom the rheumatology service at the Parc Tauli University Hospital in Barcelona, and coordinator of the SER Arthritis IV Course, says that a “relatively recent discovery”, the use of colchicine, could be the door to hope:
- “What this implies may be reconsidered and studied further in the treatment of certain phenotypes of inflammatory osteoarthritis.”
“The main challenge currently in osteoarthritis is to understand the etiopathogenetic mechanisms of the disease in order to move towards personalized and precision medicine. “We now know several mechanisms involved, and different phenotypes have been identified.”