There are several diseases which can damage the knee or hip joint as well as other joints of the body also. These diseases cause damage to the surfaces of the bones taking part in the joint formation resulting in severe pain and disability.

OSTEOARTHRITIS :

Osteoarthritis is the most common cause for destruction of most of the joints of the body including the knee & hip joint. As the age progresses the cartilages over the ends of bones degenerate due to friction caused by the use of the joint. Once the cartilage is lost the surface of the bones beneath gets exposed. Due to the continuous rubbing and friction while walking the surface of the bone gets worsened and the individual cannot take even a single step without pain. Osteophytes formed at the margins of the joint restrict the movement of the joint. Due to severe pain and destruction of the joint one may start limping while walking and that will cause problems to the spine.

For management of osteoarthritis one may use cane for support while walking, physiotherapy and take pain killer tablets or intra- articular injections.

The most common cause of Osteoarthritis is the degeneration of cartilage in the joints. As the cartilage deteriorates, it becomes thinner and becomes more easily wear and tear. This causes the cartilage to wear away at the joint causing pain and stiffness. Other common causes of Osteoarthritis are rheumatoid arthritis and osteoporosis.

Symptoms of Osteoarthritis vary between individuals. Most patients experience some degree of pain in the joint(s) of their knees or hips, although some may experience pain just inside their knee(s). Some patients may also experience swelling in the joint(s) due to fluid retention. Patients may also experience symptoms such as weakness and fatigue, in addition to pain. Many times the first symptoms of Osteoarthritis are not associated with any type of pain.

Osteoarthritis is often treated using medications. These medications are usually used to reduce the symptoms and reduce the pain of the disease. There are also lifestyle changes that can be made to help with the treatment of Osteoarthritis. One of the most common lifestyle changes to reduce the pain and decrease the risk of further damage to the joint(s) is to walk frequently. If a patient has pain only in their knee or hip, they should try to walk as much as possible. Some people also choose to get up and walk around more as well to reduce the pain. This can include using a heating pad in the home or a stairlift to help get them back to walking.

RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS :

Rheumatoid arthritis is a disease of connective tissues which involves inflammation of several joints. It starts in early age and can affect both men and women, more often women. The affected joints become swollen and tender. The bones become demineralised and muscles weak and atrophied.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an autoimmune disease that mainly affects the joints. It generally causes swollen, painful, and warm inflamed joints. The pain and swelling often become more pronounced after periods of rest. Most often, the hands and wrists are involved, as well as the back and abdominal areas.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is the most common type of arthritis, and it usually goes undiagnosed for years. To diagnose arthritis, a doctor will often want to take a biopsy of the joint tissue. If the doctor suspects that arthritis has set in, they may order more tests, such as an imaging study.

The cause of all types of osteoarthritis is not always known.Some people suffer from haemophilia which is a bleeding disorder in which repeated bleeding into the joint results in swelling and inflammation, with subsequent destruction of the articular cartilage. Infection of the joint , accidental injury, gout, death of the tissue of the bone due to alcoholism, long term use of steroids or pain killers are some of the known causes. Some people suffer from dislocation of the hip joint right from birth which puts pressure on the joint causing excessive wear and tear of the joint.