Osteoarthritis: Pathophysiology, Treatment, and What Muslims Need to Know Prior to Joint Replacement Surgery

Abstract

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5915/40-4-4435

Osteoarthritis is the most common type of arthritis. The joints most commonly involved include the knees, hips, fingers and thumbs, and the spine. Risk factors include age (>50 years), obesity, joint hypermobility/instability, prolonged occupational/sports stress, and previous joint injury. The pathogenesis of osteoarthritis is multifactorial, but the ultimate endpoint is the alteration of the articular cartilage. The diagnosis of osteoarthritis can usually be made by a detailed history and physical examination and reliably confirmed by plain radiographs. The primary goals of treatment for osteoarthritis are improved function and quality of life. Treatment modalities include patient education, physical therapy, pharmacotherapy, intra-articular injections, and surgery. Joint replacement surgery has been steadily growing in frequency and success. Hips and knees are the most commonly replaced joints. After successful joint replacement of a Muslim’s hips or knees, the resulting range of motion under normal circumstances may not allow sufficient motion to perform salat in the standard format.