Osteoarthritis

In recent years, a number of new developments have greatly enhanced our understanding of the aetiology, pathogenesis, and management of osteoarthritis. Understanding of the mechanism of cartilege breakdown has advanced, and new evidence from animal models has shown that the development and progression of osteoarthritis can be prevented or retarded pharmacologically. With more and more cases of this disease being seen each year, there are extensive research programmes underway to find effective treatments for this disease. Osteoarthritis brings together a team of experts on this prevalent disease to provide a comprehensive textbook examining all aspects of this increasingly common condition. Included among others are sections describing the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis, its clinical features, and the standard approaches to diagnosis. There are also sections covering, in depth, the management of OA, and the prospects for pharmacological treatments of joint breakdown in osteoarthritis. While being a valuable text for rheumatologists and orthopaedic surgeons, it should also be of interest to physical therapists, radiologists, pathologists, epidemiologists and general practitioners.

Table of Contents:
Defintion of OA and criteria; epidemiology of OA; economics of OA; genetics of OA; pathology; paleopathology; pathogenesis of OA; intro - the concept of OA as a failure of the diarthrodial joint; biochemical and biomechanical pathogenesis; articular cartillage; biochemistry and metabolism of normal and OA cartillage; enzymatic degradation of normal and OA cartillage; matrix repair by the chrondroctye; mechanical properties of normal and OA cartillage; response of the chrondroctye to mechanical stimuli; crystals and OA; subchondral bone; synovium; synovial mediators of cartillage damage and repair in OA; synovial physiology; the neuromuscular system; muscle in osteoarthritis; clinical features of OA and standard approaches to the diagnosis; signs, symptoms, laboratory tests; radiography; the natural history and prognosis of OA; management of OA; introduction - the comprehensive approach; why does the patient with OA hurt; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; analgesics; pharmacoeconomics of the treatment of OA; topical NSAIDS; capsaicin; intra-articular therapy (hyaluronic acid, corticosteroids); physical therapy; occupational therapy; patient education - differences in perceptions of patients and physicians with respect to what is important in; treating OA; social support; depression in OA; coping strategies for the patient with OA; joint lavage; surgical treatment arthroscopy; arthoplasty; complications of arthroplasty; assessment of clinical outcomes in OA; prospects for pharmacological modification of joint breakdown in OA; advantages afforded by use of animal models; limitations of animal models for evaluation of putative DMOADs for human use; criteria for evaluating a putative DMOAD in clinical trials; assessment of changes in joint tissues in patents treated with a DMOAD - monitoring outcomes; radiography; grading systems; quantification; MRI; arthroscopy; scintigraphy; ultrasonography; molecular markers of cartillage breakdown and repair; design of clinical trials for evaluation of DMOADs and new agents for symptomatic treatment of OA.