Traumatic Arthritis Illustration: Part of the Diagnostic Process
Sports injuries, car accidents, even stumbling over a loose stone on the pavement can cause a number of complications, including a condition called traumatic arthritis. In order to make an accurate diagnosis, physicians may use various tools at their disposal, including a traumatic arthritis illustration. A visual representation of how a joint and the surrounding tissues will help guide both the physician and patient in determining the best course of treatment.
As the name implies, traumatic arthritis can arise from trauma inflicted to a joint, cartilage or bone. If the injury doesn't mend properly, scar tissue can form. A traumatic arthritis illustration shows ways in which this complication can occur: the patterns of scar tissue formation as well as possible ways to treat the condition so that it doesn't get any worse.
Some types of traumatic arthritis are usually temporary, but they can hurt a lot. If a joint is subjected to blunt or repeated trauma or if it is forced to move beyond its range of motion, injury can result. Aside from discomfort or pain, some inflammation can occur. This is a normal reaction; it's the body's way of protecting the affected joint from further injury. However, there are cases of traumatic injury where pieces of cartilage become detached from the bone, but stay within the joint area. There's no way that these pieces of cartilage will re-attach themselves to the joint; they'll just do more damage. Surgery is necessary in this case to remove cartilage debris so that they do not cause more injury.
Studies conducted by researchers at Oregon State University and the University of Iowa shows that traumatic arthritis injuries are most severe in the ankle and less severe in the knee. It can happen in the hip and shoulder too. The researchers used digital technology to come up with images and illustrations to examine the differences in how the joints and cartilage in the ankle, knee, and hip behave. Because of these studies and others like them, we now know that the knee joint is stronger than the ankle joint when it comes to resisting trauma.
The visual form of traumatic arthritis illustration (as well as the oral form, wherein both medical experts and patients describe symptoms of the disorder) helps the physician show the patient what his or her injury looks like underneath the skin. This in turn enables the patient to better visualize his/her condition and work with the physician to focus on treatment.
