Together with arthritis, arthrosis is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in the second half of life.In the absence of timely and high-quality treatment, this disease can lead to limb disability.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints, which is based on the process of degenerative changes in the cartilage that develop as a result of the deterioration of its nutrition (trophism) or disruption of its configuration, for example after an injury.
Arthrosis-arthritis is a disease characterized not only by degenerative processes occurring in the joint, but also by its inflammation.
Deforming arthrosis is arthrosis, one of the manifestations of which is the proliferation of bone tissue, leading to deformation of the ends of the bones that form the joint.
Periarthrosis is a dystrophic process in which degenerative changes are observed not only in the joint itself, but also in the tissues adjacent to it (for example, tendons, ligaments).
Hemarthrosis is hemorrhage in the joint cavity.
Causes of osteoarthritis
The main cause of the development of arthrosis is a metabolic disorder that occurs in the cartilage tissue.As a result, the cartilage loses its elasticity and gradually begins to deteriorate.
The causes of metabolic disorders and the development of degenerative changes in the joints are multiple.These could be:
- hormonal disorders,
- female,
- loss of proteoglycans from cartilage tissue,
- aging of the body,
- increased stress on the joints due to carrying out a certain type of activity or being overweight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, arthrosis of the ankle joint and foot can occur due to prolonged wearing of tight, uncomfortable shoes, including high heels.Changes in the joints of the hands are observed mainly in representatives of those professions where a significant part of the load falls on the hands (while arthrosis is much more common in women).
Furthermore, arthrosis of the knee, hip or ankle joint is caused by various injuries (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Types and symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is classified based on the degree of joint damage:
- 1st degree: the joints retain their mobility, there are practically no changes visible on the x-ray.The patient may be bothered only by a slight crunch or a slight aching pain.
- 2nd degree - a person suffering from arthrosis feels a feeling of discomfort in the joint area, the mobility of the limb is impaired, periodic pain becomes more pronounced and prolonged, the first signs of joint deformation are detected on an x-ray or ultrasound.
- Grade 3: movements of the joint are limited, the patient feels severe pain (even at rest), characteristic changes are observed on x-rays.
Sometimes experts also distinguish the fourth degree of arthrosis, characterized by intense pain and severe deformations of this area.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Most often, this term refers to degenerative-destructive changes in the joint that have developed as a result of another disease - rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis itself changes the configuration of the joint surfaces, which leads to a violation of their congruence and an aggravation of degenerative processes in the articular and periarticular tissues.
Noncovertebral arthritis
This is the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine.The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of this localization:
- pronounced creaking sound when turning the head,
- neck pain (especially after sitting or standing for a long time),
- heachache,
- dizziness,
- blood pressure fluctuations.
Radiographic examination may reveal subluxation of the cervical joints.
In addition, arthrosis is distinguished:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- ankle joints (crushatron),
- other areas of the spine,
- temporomandibular joint, etc.
How and with what to treat arthrosis?
Before deciding how to treat it at home, you should visit a doctor and determine the exact cause of this disease.To do this, the doctor usually examines the patient and prescribes a series of additional laboratory and instrumental tests, including various biochemical blood tests (for example, for acute phase reactions, the presence of rheumatoid factor, etc.), as well as x-ray, ultrasound, MRI or CT of the joints.If necessary, the examination is supplemented by diagnostic arthroscopy.
Next, the doctor makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate treatment for the joint.
On what principles is the treatment of arthrosis based?
- Elimination of the cause of the disease.In the case of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, the underlying disease is treated, achieving a stable remission.
- Normalization of joint nutrition, metabolism and blood circulation.For this purpose, chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid preparations, drugs that improve local and systemic blood flow, antiplatelet agents and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, for severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which have a good analgesic effect.
Ointments, gels, creams with anti-inflammatory and distracting effect are applied topically to the joint area 2-3 times a day, compresses with dimexide are applied and rubbing is used.
Physiotherapy
To relieve pain and inflammation, ultraviolet irradiation in erythema doses, laser therapy, UHF, microwave, electrophoresis and phonophoresis are widely used.In addition to physiotherapeutic procedures, regular therapeutic joint exercises and spa treatments are useful for arthrosis.
Surgical treatment
Usually this is a partial or complete replacement of the joint or its plastic surgery.It can be performed traditionally, as well as through endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy.Surgical interventions are indicated in cases where conservative treatment does not have the desired effect, as well as in cases of severe deformation of the joint and loss of mobility.
Prevention
First and foremost, prevention of osteoarthritis includes diet, exercise, and avoidance of hypothermia.
Diet
Nutrition for arthrosis does not require any serious restrictions.In general, this is a balanced diet, including all the main food groups, drinking enough fluids, as well as fresh fruits and vegetables.Many experts recommend periodically including jellied meat, rich broths and other similar dishes in the menu, unless contraindicated by the doctor.The only significant limitation is the calorie content of the food.It is necessary to monitor body weight because excess weight accelerates wear and tear on the joints.
Spicy and burning food itself does not have a significant effect on arthrosis, but it should be remembered that many people suffering from this disease are forced to use painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, most of which negatively affect the gastric mucosa.It is also advisable to limit cholesterol-rich foods that increase blood viscosity, so as not to compromise the blood supply to the joint.For these reasons it is advisable to exclude these dishes from the daily menu if you suffer from osteoarthritis.
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity improve blood circulation and blood supply to joint tissues and also strengthen muscles.The most useful exercises for osteoarthritis are swimming, walking and skiing.For coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis in combination with excess weight, cycling or exercise on an exercise bike worked well.
Avoid hypothermia
Joints “love” when a person dresses for the weather, evenly protecting all parts of his body from the cold.Any local hypothermia causes a weakening of the body's defenses, which can provoke subsequent inflammation of the joints and the development of degenerative processes in them.