ARTHROSCLEROSIS Meaning and
Definition
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Arthrosclerosis refers to a medical condition characterized by the hardening and thickening of the walls of the articular (joint) cartilage. It is a degenerative joint disorder that primarily affects older individuals, although it can develop in people of any age. The term "arthrosclerosis" is derived from two words: "arthro," meaning joint, and "sclerosis," meaning hardening.
The condition is primarily associated with the gradual breakdown of the protective cartilage that covers the ends of bones, leading to bone-on-bone contact within the joint. As a result, the affected joint experiences stiffness, inflammation, and pain. Arthrosclerosis is most commonly observed in weight-bearing joints such as the knees and hips, but it can also affect other joints such as the hands, spine, shoulders, and ankles.
Arthrosclerosis is often considered a consequence of normal aging, as the wear and tear on joints over time can lead to the deterioration of cartilage. However, certain risk factors like excessive mechanical stress on the joints, obesity, genetic predisposition, hormonal imbalances, and previous joint injuries can also contribute to its development.
The symptoms of arthrosclerosis typically include joint pain, swelling, tenderness, reduced flexibility, and a grinding sensation during movement. Treatment options for arthrosclerosis aim to alleviate pain and improve joint function, and may include pain management techniques, physical therapy, exercise, weight management, assistive devices, and in severe cases, surgical intervention.
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Stiffness of the joints, especially in the aged.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ARTHROSCLEROSIS
- arthrosclerosi3
- arthrosclerosic
- arthrosclerosiq
- arthrosclerosir
- a rthrosclerosis
- ar throsclerosis
- art hrosclerosis
- arth rosclerosis
- arthr osclerosis
- arthro sclerosis
- arthros clerosis
- arthrosc lerosis
- arthroscl erosis
- arthroscle rosis
- arthroscler osis
- arthrosclero sis
- arthroscleros is
- arthrosclerosi s
Etymology of ARTHROSCLEROSIS
The word "arthrosclerosis" is a medical term composed of two roots: "arthr(o)-" and "sclerosis".
The first part, "arthr(o)-", is derived from the Greek word "arthron", meaning joint. This root is commonly used in medical terminology to refer to joints.
The second part, "-sclerosis", originates from the Greek word "skleros", which means hardening. It indicates a pathological condition of abnormal hardening or thickening of tissues.
Therefore, the term "arthrosclerosis" refers to a pathological condition characterized by the hardening or thickening of joints.
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