Along 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 damage.
What is osteoarthritis?
Arthrosis is a disease of the joints, which is based on the process of degenerative changes in the cartilage, which develop as a result of deterioration of its nutrition (trophism) or violation of its configuration, for example, after an injury.
Arthritis-arthritis is a disease characterized not only by degenerative processes occurring in the joint, but also by its inflammation.
Deformative osteoarthritis is arthrosis, one of the manifestations of which is the proliferation of bone tissue, which leads 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 bleeding in the joint cavity.
Causes of arthrosis
The main reason for the development of arthrosis is a metabolic disorder in the cartilage tissue.As a result, the cartilage loses its elasticity and begins to gradually deteriorate.
The causes of metabolic disorders and the development of degenerative changes in the joints are diverse.They can be:
- hormonal disorders,
- woman
- loss of proteoglycans from cartilage tissue,
- aging of the body,
- increased load on the joints due to exercising a certain type of activity or being overweight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, arthrosis of the ankle joint and foot may occur due to prolonged wearing of tight and uncomfortable shoes, including high heels.Changes in the joints of the hands are observed mainly in representatives of those professions in which a significant part of the load falls on the hands (while arthrosis is much more common in women).
In addition, arthrosis of the knee, hip or ankle joint is provoked by various injuries (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Types and symptoms of arthrosis
Arthrosis is classified according to the degree of joint damage:
- 1st degree - the joints retain their mobility, there are practically no visible changes on an X-ray.The patient may only be bothered by a slight crunch or mild aching pain.
- 2nd degree - a person suffering from arthrosis experiences a feeling of discomfort in the joint area, the mobility of the limb is impaired, periodic pain becomes more pronounced and prolonged, early signs of joint deformation are detected on X-ray or ultrasound examination.
- Grade 3 - movements in the joint are limited, the patient experiences severe pain (even at rest), characteristic changes are observed on X-rays.
Sometimes experts also distinguish a fourth degree of arthrosis, characterized by intense pain and serious deformations of this area.
Rheumatoid arthrosis
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 worsening of the degenerative processes in the joint and peri-articular tissues.
Uncovertebral arthrosis
This is the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical vertebrae.The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of this location:
- pronounced grinding sound when turning the head,
- neck pain (especially after prolonged sitting or standing),
- headache,
- vertigo,
- fluctuations in blood pressure.
X-ray examination can reveal subluxation of the cervical joints.
In addition, arthrosis is distinguished:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- ankle joints (krushatron),
- other areas of the spine,
- temporomandibular joint, etc.
How and with what to treat arthrosis?
Before you decide 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, presence of rheumatoid factor, etc.), as well as radiography, ultrasound, MRI or CT of the joints.If necessary, the examination is supplemented by diagnostic arthroscopy.
The doctor then makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment for the joint.
On what principles is the treatment of arthrosis based?
- Eliminating the cause of the disease.In 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, preparations with hyaluronic acid, drugs that improve local and systemic blood flow, antiplatelet agents and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, in case of intense pain, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are prescribed, which have a good analgesic effect.
Ointments, gels, creams that have an anti-inflammatory and distracting effect are applied locally to the joint area 2-3 times a day, compresses with dimexide are applied and rubs are used.
Physiotherapy
To relieve pain and inflammation, extensive ultraviolet irradiation in erythematous doses, laser therapy, UHF, microwave, electro- and phonophoresis are used.In addition to physiotherapy procedures, regular therapeutic joint exercises and spa treatments are beneficial for arthrosis.
Surgical treatment
It is usually a partial or total replacement of the joint or its plastic.It can be performed both in a traditional way and through endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy.Operations are indicated in cases when conservative treatment does not give the desired effect, as well as in severe joint deformation and loss of mobility.
Prevention
First of all, the prevention of arthrosis includes diet, exercise and avoiding hypothermia.
diet
Nutrition in arthrosis does not require serious restrictions.In general, it is a balanced diet, including all major food groups, adequate fluid intake, and fresh vegetables and fruits.Many experts recommend that you periodically include jellied meats, rich broths and other similar dishes in the menu, unless they are contraindicated by a doctor.The only significant limitation is the calorie content of the food.It is necessary to monitor your body weight, because excess weight accelerates the wear and tear of the joints.
Spicy and burning food in 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 recommended to limit foods that are rich in cholesterol and lead to increased blood viscosity, so as not to disturb the blood supply to the joint.For these reasons, it is advisable to exclude such dishes from your daily menu if you have arthrosis.
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity improve blood circulation and blood supply to joint tissues and also strengthen muscles.The most useful exercises for arthrosis are swimming, walking and skiing.In case of coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis in combination with excess weight, riding a bicycle or exercising on an ergometer.
Avoid hypothermia
The joints "love" when a person dresses according to the weather, evenly protecting all parts of his body from the cold.Any local hypothermia leads to a weakening of the body's defenses, which can lead to subsequent inflammation of the joints and the development of degenerative processes in them.