Historically Osteoarthritis was viewed as a disease of "wear and tear" of the cartilage lining the ends of bones. Studies in subjects with some forms of Osteoarthritis have now shown that some types of OA start at the enthesis and adjacent ligaments. The enthesis is the sleeping giant of Osteoarthritis related disease and it determines joint erosion or bone loss in Osteoarthritis in some siuations. Osteoarthritis is a difficult disease to treat in its early stages and it is hoped that more research into entheopathy in Osteoarthritis will have implications for novel therapy development. Multi-site enthesopathy is common in Osteoarthritis but is still poorly recognised.
The importance of enthesopathy in Osteoarthritis has only emerged in recent years. Many people with generalised osteoarthritis often have bouts of isolated clinically enthesopathy such as tennis elbow, plantar fasciitis or trochantertic bursitis ....
This case illustrates the importance of keeping an open mind in the assessment of cases with enthesitis or enthesopathy. Enthesitis means that the primary problem at the insertion is related to inflammation. Enthesopathy indicates that the primary problem is due to degenerative problems ....
Mechanically related enthesopathy - typically may occur in the heel someone who walks a lot and wears hard soled shoes. An example would be "Postmans heel". Degenerative enthesopathy - refers to "wear and tear" or Osteoarthritis associated disease in older subjects ....
Osteoarthritis represents a diverse group of conditions that may eventually leads to joint failure of "wear and tear". It is by far the most common form of arthritis and is associated with ageing. Historically Osteoarthritis was thought be represent a disease that either started in the cartilage ....