The Most Important Risk Factors for Hand Calcification Obesity and Age

Stating that osteoarthritis, also known as calcification, also occurs in the hands, Near East University Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Specialist Asst. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto stated that the disease, which increases with age and is more common in women, may cause cartilage loss and bone changes in the joints.

Hand osteoarthritis, popularly known as hand arthritis, is a disease that negatively affects the quality of life with the severe pain it causes. Near East University Hospital Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Department Specialist Assist. Assoc. Dr. Although Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto emphasizes that the pain increases with the use of the joint in the first place, she says that the pain intensifies even if the joint is not used in the advanced stages. Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto states that patients feel stiffness after long periods of inactivity and have difficulty in starting movement. Stating that there are two different types of hand osteoarthritis as Nodal Generalized Osteoarthritis and Erosive Osteoarthritis, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto says that these osteoarthritis cause permanent changes in the joints with significant complaints in patients.

Nodal Generalized Osteoarthritis is more common in women

Nodal Generalized Osteoarthritis, which has familial inheritance, is more common in women. In this osteoarthritis that involves the hand joints, the nodules that cause the disease appear at an early age. Asst. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto, “Numerous joint stiffness is seen in Nodal Generalized Osteoarthritis. In addition to the hand, knee or hip osteoarthritis is frequently seen in patients. Patients first feel their pain in the hand. Pain, swelling and stiffness occur in one or more joints in the fingers. Although nodules are formed in osteoarthritis, hand functions are not affected negatively ”.

Erosive osteoarthritis develops suddenly in women between the ages of 40 and 50

Stating that erosive osteoarthritis is common in women between the ages of 40-50, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto stated that she had symptoms at an earlier age compared to other forms of osteoarthritis. Stating that erosive osteoarthritis starts suddenly, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto states that the complaints are very painful and are seen in the form of swelling, redness and temperature increase in the joint. Asst. Assoc. Dr. Yiğitoğlu Çeto, “Erosive osteoarthritis affects many joints at the same time, usually symmetrical involvement occurs in both hands. For this reason, it is often confused with Rheumatoid Arthritis, a rheumatic disease that involves the hands. The painful process can last for years, but eventually the patient's complaints regress. In the advanced stages of the disease, although the joints are painless, loss of function is seen and the final situation is bad, ”he says.

Obesity and age are the most important risk factors for hand osteoarthritis

Stating that the most important risk factor in hand osteoarthritis is age, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pink Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto says that 60% of women between the ages of 70-75 have been found to have osteoarthritis in DIP joints with imaging method, and that it is more common in women than men, where genetic transition plays an important role. Asst. Assoc. Dr. Pink Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto regarding hereditary transmission, “Especially the hereditary inheritance characteristic of Heberden nodules is very distinctive. Obesity has been found to cause osteoarthritis in some joints not only due to mechanical reasons such as stress, but also due to metabolic reasons. Hand and finger joints are examples. "It is remarkable that obesity is a risk factor for hand osteoarthritis."

Training to protect joints is important in patients with hand osteoarthritis.

Stating that the treatment in hand osteoarthritis is planned individually, Assist. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto stated that non-pharmacological approaches were included in the treatment plan together with drug therapy while the treatment was arranged. Stating that patients should be educated about how to protect joints, Asst. Assoc. Dr. Pembe Hare Yiğitoğlu Çeto stated that exercises related to the disease can be performed, orthoses that prevent and correct joint deformities and physical therapy agents can be used when necessary.