Bone and joint diseases

Arthritis represents a group of more than 100 different rheumatic diseases that all involve joint inflammation and joint pain. Joint inflammation usually affects the inner joint membrane – the synovium, but it can also involve the outer membrane and surrounding soft tissues, and can cause permanent changes to the cartilage and bones. Arthritis can affect people of all ages, but most often occurs after the age of 40. In Europe, more than 40 million people suffer from the most common type of arthritis – osteoarthritis.

Arthritis is recognised by typical signs of inflammation: the joint is painful (especially during movement), swollen, and the skin over the joint may be warm and red. The causes of arthritis are complex, depend on the type, and include a combination of genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors.

The most common types are osteoarthritis (a result of a degenerative process) and rheumatoid arthritis (a result of an autoimmune response). Other common types of arthritis include psoriatic arthritis (associated with psoriasis), gout, juvenile idiopathic arthritis (in children), and ankylosing spondylitis (as a result of a genetic predisposition).

The first step in successfully treating arthritis is understanding the diversity of this disease. The physiotherapy experts at MEDICOFIT clinic are trained to recognise these differences and tailor therapeutic approaches to the specific type of arthritis.

Symptoms of arthritis can vary depending on the type of arthritis and the progress of the disease. However, there are some common symptoms that can be recognised in most types of arthritis. Among the most common symptoms of arthritis are:

1. pain (usually long-lasting and worsens with exertion),
2. swelling (the joint capsule produces large amounts of synovial fluid due to inflammation),
3. limited mobility (movement is limited due to pain),
4. joint stiffness (especially in the morning or after a long rest),
5. deformities (long-term joint inflammation leads to irreversible joint deformities).

Various methods are required to make a diagnosis and differentiate between different types of arthritis, including: clinical examination, laboratory diagnostics, joint puncture, and imaging methods. Among imaging methods, the most commonly used are X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound (US). In more complex cases or when the subchondral bone is involved, computed tomography (CT) may also be considered.

Despite great progress in early detection of arthritis, we still do not have a medication that could completely cure arthritis. However, nowadays with early intervention and appropriate physiotherapy treatment, we can prevent the damage that would otherwise be caused by this rheumatic disease. Comprehensive arthritis treatment at MEDICOFIT clinic includes individualised treatment, tailored to the type of arthritis, the patient’s symptoms, and the patient’s physical capacity.

Comprehensive arthritis treatment in our clinic is done in four phases:

1. Diagnostic therapy – A physiotherapist specialising in inflammatory conditions performs a clinical examination of the affected joints and assesses their condition, the presence of inflammation, symptoms, and prepares a diagnostic report, which serves as the basis for the individualised treatment plan.
2. Acute physiotherapy – In the acute phase, physiotherapy specialists focus on reducing pain, inflammation, and increasing the mobility of your joints. With the help of special exercises and different therapies, such as manual therapy, trigger point therapy, and the use of state-of-the-art devices for physiotherapy treatment, they relieve symptoms and promote tissue regeneration.
3. Post-acute kinesiology – In the next phase, your treatment is taken over by a team of kinesiologists, whose goal is to improve your physical fitness. Individualised kinesiology training strengthens the muscles surrounding the joints, increasing joint mobility and stability. The training is tailored to the individual and gradually increases depending on their abilities.
4. Preventive kinesiotherapy – MEDICOFIT clinic also provides a post-rehabilitation programme that effectively manages symptoms, prevents possible worsening of arthritis, and enables long-term maintenance of optimal function of your joints. During physical activity, molecules called myokines are released from the muscles, which have an anti-inflammatory effects; therefore it is crucial that you continue your physical training programme to reduce joint inflammation.