Atlas Of Osteoarthritis

This Atlas provides an up-to-date and comprehensive overview of the historical and current perspectives on osteoarthritis, including the pathophysiology and epidemiology of the disease. Written by leading authors in the field of osteoarthritis, the book discusses classification, etiology and risk factors for osteoarthritis, the disease course and determinants of osteoarthritis progression, clinical features and diagnosis as well as imaging methods to assess joint damage. The Atlas of Osteoarthritis concludes with the latest treatment updates including both nonpharmacological and pharmacological treatments, as well as surgical recommendations for patients with the disease. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of joint disease causing joint pain, stiffness, and physical disability among adults. It is an important issue for both the individual and society with its impact on public health continuing to grow as a result of the aging population, the rising prevalence of obesity, and the lack of definitive treatments to prevent or halt the progress of the disease.

For years physicians considered osteoarthritis(OA) a routine chronic disorder for which they had little to offer patients. Recent studies in animal models of OA indicate that the development and progression of this disease may be prevented or, at least, slowed, by pharmacologic or biologic therapies. In addition, a clear understanding of the symptomatic therapy of this disease - both medicinal and non-medicinal - has emerged within the past few years. An Atlas of Osteoarthritis provides a broad overview of OA that will be of practical value to primary care physicians, residents, and house officers and enable them to treat patients more effectively and more safely. The book presents background information on epidemiology, pathology, and pathogenesis, covers all aspects of diagnosis and treatment, describes clinical features with special attention to diagnosis and differential diagnosis, and highlights the important role of orthopedic surgery. It includes the spectrum of nonmedicinal measures that represents the keystone of osteoarthritis management. The author discusses disease-modifying drugs as potential future therapies and presents a rational approach to the management of patients with OA. In addition, he reviews the appropriate use of simple analgesics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs including specific Cox-2 inhibitors, opioids, and intra-articular injections of glucocorticoid and hyaluronic acid. A focused text supported by clinical color photographs, drawings, and radiographs, An Atlas of Osteoarthritis gives you a clear understanding of the diagnosis, the possible pitfalls in the diagnosis and the treatment of OA.

Arthritis and its related musculoskeletal disorders constitute the most common chronic illnesses in the United States. These conditions adversely affect the quality of life of those who are struck by them, require increased use of health care resources, and, because they are the leading cause of disability in the United States, have a significant impact on the national economy. Physicians and other health care workers in many disciplines have been involved in the care and study of patients with these diseases. As a result, our understanding of and ability to treat these diseases have improved continuously. This Atlas of Rheumatology is designed to help clinicians learn about this group of diseases and develop an understanding of their possible causes, clinical features, laboratory findings, and treatments, using an attractive pictorial format. Because more than 100 sepa rate types of arthritis have been described, unfortunately all could not be included. The illus trations shown in the Atlas have been carefully selected by recognized experts, who served as authors of the eight chapters, to provide the reader with the essential information needed to get a clear picture of these important diseases. For their successful efforts I am deeply grateful. I am also indebted to editorial workers who have maintained high standards to create a clear, attractive final product.

Osteoarthritis is the commonest condition to affect the joints of humans and consequently represents a significant proportion of the rheumatologist's practice. Over the last 20 years major advances have been made in our understanding of the biochemistry and anatomical change associated with the disease and interest in epidemiology, clinical aspects and imaging of osteoarthritis has increased. This text encompasses the many different aspects of this condition, covering the basic sciences as well as clinical diagnosis and management