Current Concepts in the Diagnosis of Hand Osteoarthritis

Abstract

Osteoarthritis of the wrist joints (OA) is a social problem due to its prevalence and incidence among working age people. As a result of various studies, the prevalence of the disease ranges from 6.8 to 51%. The triad of the main clinical symptoms is: pain and numbness in the paw, various degrees of functional deficit and disfigurement of the fingers. Despite the similarity of clinical symptoms, the expression of the disease is different due to damage to the subchondral part of the ankle bone, synovial layer, ligament, capsule and periarticular muscles. Women aged from 45 up to 75 years 54 old with symptomatic hand OA were included in the study group. Estimation of painful and deformed joints, AUSCAN OA Hand Index assessment, ultra sound and X ray examinations were done. 20 women of appropriate age without hand OA according to the criteria of American College of Rheumatology formed the comparative group. According to the ultrasound the number of joints with osteophytes, synovitis, erosions, synovial hypertrophy and exudate was significantly higher in the study group.