An Overview of Osteoarthritis – A Form of ArthritisThe word "arthritis" means joint inflammation. Inflammation is one of the body’s natural reactions to disease or traumatic injury. The term "arthritis" therefore encompasses a group of conditions characterized by damage to the joints of the body, with a common symptomology that includes pain, aching, stiffness, and swelling in or around the joints. There are over 100 types of arthritis; two of the two most common forms are rheumatoid (ROO-mah-toyd) arthritis and osteoarthritis (AH-stee-oh-ar-THRY-tis). OsteoarthritisA degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis that primarily affects the joints that carry body weight: the knees, hips, feet, and back. Osteoarthritis affects only joint function and does not affect internal organs, skin tissue, the eyes, or blood vessels, like other forms of arthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, an estimated 21 million people – or more than 12% of the U.S. population have some form of osteoarthritis (OA). While it is more common in the elder population, young people can also develop osteoarthritis (OA); typically as a result of injury, joint malformation, or a genetic defect in joint cartilage. How the disease progresses will differ from person to person; though for most, their knee osteoarthritis (OA) tends to worsen only gradually over the years. Similarly, for some people, their knee osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms and pain are manageable and do not negatively affect their daily lives. While for others, severe pain and limited mobility can be debilitating and seriously impact their active lifestyle. How Does Osteoarthritis (OA) Occur?In healthy joints, a smooth, but slippery substance called cartilage covers the ends of the bones, cushioning and protecting them from rubbing against each other. Cartilage allows bones to glide over one another and acts a shock absorber from the stress of physical motion. In addition, a think liquid, called synovial (sin-OH-vee-ul) fluid surrounds, lubricates, and protects the joint cartilage and bones. In the early stages of osteoarthritis (OA), the surface of the cartilage begins to break down. Inflammation occurs when the synovial fluid becomes thinner and loses its ability to cushion and lubricate the joint. As the synovial fluid thins, the surface layer of the cartilage between the bone joints loses its flexibility and gradually begins to deteriorate. As this chronic disease progresses and the protective cartilage erodes considerably, the bones are left unprotected and begin to rub together. This rubbing causing friction in the joint that leads to pain, swelling and stiffness; which often worsens throughout the day and can limit mobility. Small deposits of bone, called osteophytes or bone spurs, may grow on the edges of the joint; tiny pieces of cartilage or bone may break off and float in the joint space, causing further damage and pain. Osteoarthritis (OA) of the kneeThe knees are among the joints most commonly affected by osteoarthritis. More than 10 million Americans have been diagnosed with this degenerative "wear-and-tear disease". People suffering with osteoarthritis (OA)of the knee often experience pain when climbing stairs, walking on flat surfaces, and/or flexing their knee. Causes of Knee Osteoarthritis (OA) There is no definitive cause of knee OA, and while osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee can occur without any of the following, common risk factors include:
How do I know if I have osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee? Only a doctor can diagnose and treat OA of the knee. Talk to your doctor if you have pain and/or swelling that affects your daily activities. The doctor will want to get your complete medical history as well as understand the nature of your pain—how long you’ve had it, where it hurts, and what activities cause pain. Be sure to describe any changes in pain and symptoms you’ve experienced over time. Your doctor will likely conduct a physical exam to check your reflexes, muscle strength, and aching joints; as well as observe the physical activities that are causing your pain. He or she may recommend an X-ray, MRI, or CT scan to help identify the cause of your discomfort. You may also be asked to complete standard pain-measurement questionnaires that will help your doctor understand your level of pain and its effect on your ability to function day-to-day. Once your doctor has a clear understanding of your pain, he or she can make an accurate diagnosis and discuss with you the multiple treatment options for your osteoarthritis of the knee. Rheumatoid ArthritisRheumatoid arthritis (RA), the second most common form of arthritis, is a chronic disease that affects approximately 1.3 million Americans, or approximately 1% of the U.S. population. Rheumatoid arthritis occurs when the body’s own immune system attacks the tissues of the joints, leading to pain, inflammation, and eventually joint damage and malformation. RA affects bones and joints, often of the hands and feet; and as it a systemic disease, it may also affect other internal organs. People with RA may feel sick or tired, and uncommonly feverish. You can learn more about rheumatoid arthritis by visiting the following Web sites: |
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EUFLEXXA (1% sodium hyaluronate) is indicated for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics (eg, acetaminophen).
Important Safety Information EUFLEXXA should not be administered through a needle previously used with medical solutions containing benzalkonium chloride. Do not use skin disinfectants for skin preparation that contain quaternary ammonium salts. Do not inject intravascularly due to potential for systemic adverse events. The safety and effectiveness of injection in conjunction with other intra-articular injectables, or into joints other than the knee have not been studied. Remove any joint effusion prior to injecting. Transient pain or swelling of the injected joint may occur after intra-articular injection with EUFLEXXA. The safety and effectiveness of repeated treatment cycles weeks with EUFLEXXA have not been established. In a randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial (N=160 EUFLEXXA), the only adverse event reported with EUFLEXXA at an incidence greater than 5% was arthralgia (8.7%). Important Information for Patients. The information on this website is provided for educational purposes only. While there may be information on this web site related to certain medical conditions and their treatment, should a medical condition exist, promptly see your own physician or health provider as the information on this website is not intended to take the place of advice from a physician or healthcare professional. Ferring does not offer personalised medical diagnosis or patient-specific treatment advice. The statements made by doctors on this website represent their own individual experience and opinion and is not intended to be medical advice. Indeed, only your doctor or other health care professional, as a learned intermediary, can determine if a product described in this web site is appropriate for you. PLEASE CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR, OR OTHER QUALIFIED HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL BEFORE USING ANY PRODUCT DISCUSSED WITHIN THIS WEB SITE. This website is intended only for US residents.  
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