Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint pathology, accompanied by processes of degeneration of the cartilaginous tissue.As the disease progresses, the joint capsule, the ligament system, the synovial membrane and nearby bone structures are also involved in the destructive process.
Prevalence of osteoarthritis
Among people with osteoarthritis, the majority are elderly.The disease after the age of 65 is not only the most frequently diagnosed joint pathology, but also the main cause of loss of working capacity with consequent disability.Furthermore, in old age, it is mainly the fairer sex who get sick, but among young people the majority of those who get sick are men.
The incidence of osteoarthritis varies considerably from country to country.It has not yet been possible to establish the reasons for the wide dispersion of statistical data.
Causes and risk factors
Osteoarthritis is a disease that can be primary or secondary.If there are no objective reasons for the development of the pathology, it is called the primary type.If it is possible to identify the causes of arthrosis, it is called secondary type.
Secondary arthrosis can be caused by the following negative factors:
- joint traumas of various kinds (frequent falls, sprains, bruises);
- chronic congenital tissue dysplasia;
- pathological changes in metabolic processes;
- various autoimmune diseases;
- inflammatory processes of a non-specific nature in the joint area;
- some pathologies of the endocrine system;
- degenerative-dystrophic processes that occur chronically;
- various diseases accompanied by excessive joint mobility combined with a weak ligament system;
- presence of hemophilia;
- inflammatory processes of a specific type.
In addition to the direct causes that lead to the development of arthrosis, there are also predisposing factors that do not in themselves cause the disease, but can increase the risk of its development.
These include:
- age over 55;
- the presence of excess weight, due to which the load on the joints increases;
- excessive load on any joint or group due to improper sports training, specific work requiring a long stay in one position;
- history of joint surgery;
- inheritance;
- hormonal changes in the female body during postmenopause;
- constant hypothermia;
- untreated spinal pathologies;
- insufficient intake of beneficial micro and macro elements from food.
Development mechanism
The mechanism by which arthrosis develops is quite well known.The cartilage that ensures normal contact between two bones is smooth in nature, without bumps or roughness, which helps maintain normal movement of the joints.When the disease occurs, the structure of the cartilage changes, it becomes rough and defects appear, reducing the effectiveness of natural gliding.
Due to the acquired irregularities, the cartilage is gradually damaged, in some places it begins to calcify, and in others it begins to ossify.In this case it is possible to separate small particles that end up in the joint fluid and can damage the surrounding tissues.
As the condition worsens, the joint may enter a state of chronic subluxation, which significantly impairs its motor function.
Degrees
Doctors divide osteoarthritis into three main degrees:
- I graduate.Characterized by the absence of a clear clinical picture.The patient may have rare complaints of pain in the affected joint, but generally does not consult a doctor.In this case, changes in the ligament-muscular system and joint fluid are observed, but there are no visible deformations yet.
- II degree.Symptoms of osteoarthritis become more pronounced.The pain is characterized as tolerable, but occurs regularly.The patient consults a doctor because he notices a decrease in the quality of life.A characteristic creaking sound may be heard in the affected joint.Changes are observed in nearby muscle structures, as nerve conduction is disrupted.
- III degree.Characterized by pronounced symptoms.The articular cartilage is very thin and cysts, foci of calcification or ossification can be found in it.The ligament system shortens, which leads to increased mobility in the affected area, accompanied by limitation due to a pronounced inflammatory process.The metabolism of surrounding tissues is affected, which can lead to muscular dystrophy.
In any case, the patient will need clarification on the diagnosis from the treating doctor.This is due to the specifics of the course of the disease, which is characterized by phases of remission and exacerbation, which replace each other alternately.
Pain due to illness
Pain due to osteoarthritis is the most common complaint with which patients consult a doctor.Their characteristic is the connection with the time of day, weather and physical activity.
In most patients, the pain worsens when walking, running, or performing another type of physical activity that targets the affected joint.As soon as the load stops, the pain gradually decreases.Their development is explained by the fact that the cartilage is no longer able to perform its shock-absorbing functions.
At night, discomfort often occurs due to stagnation of blood in the veins.Another reason is the increase in intraosseous pressure during this period.
One of the main diagnostic criteria is the presence of so-called initial pains, which bother the patient at the moment when he has just started active movement.The initial pain usually goes away if you continue physical activity.Their appearance is explained by the presence of joint deposits (debris), which irritate the nerve endings.Once these deposits move away from the nerves, the pain disappears.
Symptoms
In addition to pain, doctors identify other signs of osteoarthritis, which may indicate the presence of pathology.
These include:
- The appearance of painful and crunching sounds.Pain appears mainly if a person has suffered from hypothermia.Initially, the creaking will be barely audible to the ear, but as the disease progresses without therapy, it will become audible to people around you.
- Decreased ability to move.In the initial stage of development of the pathology there is no decrease in mobility.However, the longer the disease remains untreated, the more severe the limitation of joint movement becomes.This is explained by narrowing of the joint space and spasm of nearby muscle structures.
- Joint deformity.It is characteristic of the advanced stage of arthrosis, but is also an important indicator of the course of the disease.During this period, it is already very difficult to cure the disease.
Which doctor treats osteoarthritis?
Who treats osteoarthritis?In most cases, therapy is performed by several specialists at the same time.First of all, an arthrologist, a joint specialist, is involved.In addition, the patient will also need to visit an orthopedist.If the disease is a consequence of an inflammatory process, it is also recommended to visit a rheumatologist.
If necessary, other specialists may be involved during the treatment period.Very often you have to resort to the services of traumatologists, physiotherapists, masseurs and surgeons.
Diagnostics
Treatment of joint arthrosis begins only after confirmation of the diagnosis and definition of the degree of the pathology.First of all, the doctor interviews the patient in detail and carries out an examination.The presence of characteristic disorders and deformities indicates that the disease exists.
An obligatory way to confirm the diagnosis is x-ray of the affected joint.If the disease has affected the knee, a photo of the knee is taken;if the pathology is located in the hand, radiographic signs of the disease are specifically looked for there.
Diagnosis by x-ray does not always provide sufficient results to diagnose the patient.In this case, it can be sent for an MRI (this will allow you to evaluate the condition of the soft tissues and their involvement in the pathological process) or a CT scan (this will allow you to draw conclusions about the state of bone and cartilaginous structures, the involvement of nearby anatomical formations in the pathological process).
Treatment
How to treat arthrosis of the joints?The choice of the appropriate therapeutic technique depends on the severity of the symptoms and the stage of the disease.
The doctor selects the treatment regimen after evaluating the patient's general condition and the course of the disease.Both conservative and surgical treatment methods can be used.
Drug
How to treat the disease if it is preferable not to undergo surgery, but to use medications?
Conservative therapy is suitable for patients only at an initial stage of the formation of the pathology and will include the use of three main groups of drugs:
- glucocorticosteroids– hormonal drugs that effectively relieve the inflammatory process during an exacerbation are injected into the joint cavity;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,which are mainly used as injections and are injected into the muscles near the joint or directly into a vein.But doctors can also recommend tablets, although this option of taking NSAIDs is undesirable due to the negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
- chondroprotectors– drugs from this group can reduce the processes of destruction of cartilage tissue and promote regeneration;they are particularly effective in the initial stages of the formation of the disease.
Surgical
How to cure arthrosis if the disease has already gone far enough?In this case, conservative therapy will be ineffective and doctors can only recommend surgery to the patient.
Today, in most cases, endoprosthesis is performed.During the surgery, the actual joint is replaced with a prosthesis that has all the functions of a healthy joint.
In some cases, palliative treatment options are provided, the main goal of which is to reduce the load on the joint surfaces.
Exercise
In the initial stages of the disease it is treated not only with medications, but also with physiotherapy.Exercise is an important phase of therapy, which helps maintain the functionality of the joint and reduces the likelihood of further progression of the disease.
Depending on the severity of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the patient, the set of exercises is selected individually.The doctor must take into account the localization of arthrosis, which allows the most effective treatment of the affected tissue.
Self-study without medical supervision is not recommended, especially in the initial phase.Exercises should be selected so that they are as smooth as possible, without sudden movements.
Exercise therapy classes are effective only if the patient devotes some time to daily performance of the recommended complex.
Traditional methods
Many people with osteoarthritis refuse to take medications or undergo surgery until the end.In this case, alternative medicines are used as substitutes for drugs.
The plants most commonly used in therapy are:
- Kalanchoe;
- ginger;
- horseradish;
- bay leaf;
- garlic;
- cinnamon;
- horsetail and others.
They are used in the form of tinctures, decoctions and poultices on the affected area.It is important to keep in mind that complete treatment of the disease using only home recipes is impossible.It is better if traditional therapy is combined with traditional medicine.
Prevention
What to do to reduce the likelihood of developing osteoarthritis in old age?Simple preventative measures are available to anyone.
Advised:
- daily moderate physical activity: walking, cycling, performing simple sets of exercises such as exercise, and so on;
- adherence to the basic principles of a healthy diet: eat often, but little by little, avoid fast food, overeat, heavy and fatty foods, eat a lot of spices;
- weight control: weight gain leads to increased stress on the joints, which can lead to the development of osteoarthritis;
- timely treatment of chronic diseases leading to metabolic disorders;
- the use of vitamin-mineral complexes if the amount of nutrients provided by food is considered insufficient.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Many people, due to the similarity of sound, confuse arthritis and arthrosis.However, these are completely different diseases.
Arthritis is not called dystrophy or degeneration of joint tissues, but any inflammatory reaction that can develop in the joint cavity, regardless of its cause.Inflammation very often affects not only the joint, but also the muscles closest to it, bone and ligament structures.Pain in arthritis is not associated with physical activity;it can disturb the patient even at rest and no creaking of the joints is felt.
In most cases, it is impossible to independently distinguish arthritis from arthrosis, since the main symptom is pain, and patients rarely have an idea of \u200b\u200bits characteristics in each pathology.
It is better to entrust the establishment of an accurate diagnosis to the attending physician, so as not to make mistakes in the subsequent treatment and prevention of the disease.
Osteoarthritis is a serious pathology that can lead to disability if the patient does not seek medical attention in time.At the first signs of the disease it is recommended to contact a specialist so that he can confirm the diagnosis and select the most optimal treatment.
If you manage to catch the disease at an early stage of development, you will probably be able to do it even without surgery, limiting yourself only to conservative treatment.