Musculoskeletal disorders are among the most important causes of chronic pain and disability throughout of the world. Osteoarthritis, which is one of the most common of these disorders, is the single greatest cause of human locomotor problems. Although nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been used for many years of treat these conditions, they are associated with number of potentially serious side effects.
RHEUMATIC DISORDERS IN PERSPEVTIVE
There are more than 100 distinct conditions that can be categorized as rheumatic or musculosketal. Some of these conditions involve multiple body systems while others affect primarily musculoskeletal tissues. Overall, these disorders are more prevalent, and a more frequent cause of disability, than either heart dieased or cancer. No age or racial group is spared, and clinical manifestations are diverse.
Arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases are among the most common reasons for physician office visits, as well as visits to surgeons, family doctors and specialists. These diseases are time-consuming to evaluate and manage. The economic impact of these diseases is associated with indirect physician visits, physical therapy, and drugs.
Arthritis and musculoskeletal diseases are among the most common reasons for physician office visits, as well as visits to surgeons, family doctors and specialists. These diseases are time-consuming to evaluate and manage. The economic impact of these diseases is associated with indirect physician visits, physical therapy, and drugs.
Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is the most common form of joint disorder. Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip is the leading cause of chronic disability in developed countries. In some people, evidence for osteoarthritic changes may be present by the second or third decade (usually without associated symptoms) By age 40, almost everyone has evidence of some osteoarthritic changes in weight-bearing joints, although most people remain asymptomatic.
Interestingly, historic evidence for the existence of osteoarthritis has been found in nearly all vertebrate animals, including ancient fish, dinosaurs, birds, bears, whales, and dolphins. This suggests that osteoarthritis has an evolutionary origin. In man, the primary joints affected by osteoarthritis (joints in the knees, hips, spine, fingers and feet) suggest that this condition is a response to the special demands of the upright posture and prehensile grip.
Nonsteriodal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are a primary class of therapy prescribed for the symptomatic relief of the pain and swelling associated with arthritic disorders. They are the single largest group of medication used worldwide, with annual sales in excess of $US 2 billion.
Despite of the fact that NASIDs are the most widely used drugs for the treatment of arthritis, side effects may occur with these agents, and some of these reactions constitute a serious drawback to their use.
