Arthrosis is a chronic joint disease that is degenerative in nature. The disease is characterized by damage to cartilage tissue, which can be complicated by reactive synovitis (inflammation of the synovial membrane of the joint).
Modern medicine divides arthrosis into primary or idiopathic, which has no obvious causes, and secondary, in which the causes of the appearance are established, for example, improper load on the joint and microtrauma of the cartilage, as well as inflammation suffered in the past.
This disease has accompanied humans throughout history. Medieval medical records have been preserved, from which it becomes clear that arthrosis has been an unpleasant ailment of mankind since time immemorial. Dystrophic changes in joints in human and animal skeletons, typical of arthrosis, are also found by archaeologists during excavations of ancient cities.
Arthrosis (or, as modern medicine now calls it, osteoarthritis) is similar in its symptoms to another common joint disease - arthritis. You can differentiate arthrosis from arthritis by taking a blood test, which is necessarily prescribed for arthrosis.
Reactive arthritis is accompanied by joint deformation and pain that resembles the pain of arthrosis. Unlike arthrosis, arthritis is an inflammatory disease caused by the penetration of microorganisms into the tissue or other (for example, autoimmune) factors.
The disease begins gradually. The first signs are blurred and are defined by the patient as stiffness of the joint and slight pain during exercise. Subsequently, the symptoms progress, and a characteristic crunching sound appears. Pain syndrome with arthrosis is expressed to varying degrees, depending on the cause of the pain. Mostly the pain is mechanical in nature and occurs when moving. There may be pain at the beginning of walking, the so-called starting pain, after being at rest for a long time. It goes away with active movement and load. Sometimes there are night pains associated with increased intraosseous pressure, which disappear after getting out of bed. A separate area of treatment is the relief of pain caused by coxarthrosis.
As the disease progresses to the second stage, cartilage tissue begins to disappear in some areas, exposing the bone. Bone tissue responds to this by growing areas of bone along the periphery. In the third stage, severe deforming changes and pain at rest appear. Joint mobility is significantly reduced.
With arthrosis, inflammation of the synovyl membrane often occurs - synovitis. This complication is characterized by the appearance of heaviness in the joint, difficulty in bending and slight inflammatory changes in the blood.
The most common are arthrosis of the knee (gonarthrosis), hip (coxarthrosis) and elbow joints. Due to the characteristic symptoms, diagnosis is usually not difficult. The physical examination is complemented by laboratory and instrumental examinations in order to exclude joint diseases similar to arthrosis, in particular rheumatoid and infectious arthritis. For this purpose, the following studies are recommended:
With a correct diagnosis, timely treatment of arthrosis slows down degenerative changes in the patient’s joints and improves his quality of life. The process of treating arthrosis takes many years and is complex. Treatment is carried out by a rheumatologist and includes exercise therapy and physiotherapy, spa treatment, as well as taking medications. Painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed as medications (if complicated by synovitis), taking courses of chondroprotectors and hyaluronic acid preparations. Modern techniques include laser therapy, electrical myostimulation and endoprosthetics.
Prevention of arthrosis consists of a healthy lifestyle and good physical activity. It is necessary to treat inflammatory diseases and joint injuries in a timely manner, preventing the appearance of excess weight.
Clinical blood test . For this test, blood is taken from a finger prick. With arthrosis, a clinical blood test, as a rule, does not show any specific changes. Only in some cases, with synovitis of one or two large joints, can there be a very slight increase in the rate, or reaction, of erythrocyte sedimentation (ESR, or ROE) - up to 20-25 mm/h. On the contrary, a significant increase in ESR or ROE (above
25 mm/h) in combination with night pain in the joints should prompt us to think about the possible rheumatic (inflammatory) origin of these pains. That is, about arthritis .
If the patient also has an increased number of leukocytes, then this circumstance confirms the presence of some kind of infectious-inflammatory process in the body, which affects, in particular, the joints. However, in any case, a clinical blood test does not give clear answers; it only indicates trends and narrows the circle of diagnostic search.
Biochemical blood test and rheumatic test. When performing this test, blood is taken from a vein and always on an empty stomach. A biochemical blood test and a rheumatic test can provide significant assistance to the doctor in the differential diagnosis of joint lesions: arthrosis or arthritis ?
Thus, with rheumatic diseases (arthritis), the level of so-called inflammatory markers in the blood increases significantly: C-reactive protein, seromucoid, some globulins and immunoglobulins. In rheumatoid arthritis, rheumatoid factor is often detected in the analysis, and in gout there is an increase in the amount of uric acid.
With arthrosis, these biochemical parameters, on the contrary, remain normal.
Important to remember! In cases where we detect “inflammatory” changes in blood parameters taken from a finger or from a vein in a patient with suspected arthrosis, we should be wary - after all, arthrosis does not cause any changes in the tests. And if inflammation indicators are elevated, there is a high probability that we are dealing not with arthrosis, but with arthritis. Then it is necessary to continue examining the patient until the diagnosis is finally confirmed. However, we must also remember that there are cases when certain types of arthritis also do not lead to a significant change in inflammatory parameters in the blood. However, in most cases, a blood test helps to make a clear distinction between inflammatory and metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints (between arthrosis and arthritis).
Other examination methods necessary for differential diagnosis between arthritis and arthrosis: x-ray of joints, x-ray of the sacroiliac joints, in some cases x-ray of the spine, radioisotope scan of the skeleton, computed or magnetic resonance imaging (CT or MRI).
Article by Dr. Evdokimenko© for the book “Arthritis”, published in 2003.
Edited in 2011
Osteoarthritis and arthritis - what is it? What is the difference between arthrosis and arthritis? Osteoarthritis and arthritis are diseases that damage the joints. That is why, and also because of the consonance of the names, many people do not understand the difference between arthrosis and arthritis, and perceive them as something similar in essence. Meanwhile, arthrosis and arthritis are far from the same thing.
Signs of arthrosis (symptoms of arthrosis). Osteoarthritis most often affects the knee and hip joints, as well as the big toe joints. Slightly less common are the ankle joints and those joints of the fingers that are located closer to the nails (distal interphalangeal joints).
The most characteristic signs of arthritis (symptoms of arthritis). In this chapter, I will tell you about special “warning” symptoms that are not typical for arthrosis, but are typical for arthritis.
Other causes of joint pain. Tendon pain. Pain when a joint is blocked or pinched. Joint pain due to poor circulation.
Coxarthrosis - development in the hip joint
I have acute pain in my groin, bumps all over my body, and both thighs have become very shrunken. What tests need to be done to confirm coxarthrosis?
Answer to the question:
Coxarthrosis or arthrosis of the hip joint is degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cartilage of the hip joint, in which the cartilage gradually becomes thinner and disappears, bone growths form, which causes the joint to become deformed and its functions are impaired.
To make a diagnosis, an orthopedic traumatologist surveys the patient with a detailed clarification of complaints, examines the joint and determines the degree of its mobility.
Among the laboratory diagnostic methods, general and biochemical blood tests are used, in which markers of inflammation are determined (they should be normal in arthrosis and increase only when the joint is inflamed). But, unfortunately, test results for coxarthrosis are not very informative, so they are not enough to make and confirm a diagnosis.
The basis of diagnosis for arthrosis of the hip joint are additional research methods, namely:
Hello, I’m 62 years old. Joints hurt for 6 years. I have poor computer skills. I can’t insert photos and tests. I take Teraflex Nise, 1 tablet, 2 times. During consultation in the region, I drank according to the standard, idomethacin 25, nimika, Plaquenil 0.2 6 and 12 months. When they sent rheumatic factor to the region. was positive after taking these tablets at the second consultation, the rheumatic factor went away tests steel le not found cik 142 usedgemogl 123 erythrocytes f 39 reticulocytes 240, leukocytes 5.0 band 3, segmented 73 lymphocytes 21 monocytes 3 sedimentation rate erythrocytes 26 urine squamous epithelium 1618 protein 0.05 2 beat weight1012 form 1 asat33 ,6 apat45.6 total protein67.2 urea5.92 uric acid448 creat 0080 There is no more opportunity to go to the region for now I continue to take Teraflex and Nise but still have terrible pain at night I have lost 4 kg in a year there is no improvement at my own risk I took Movalis 7 standards but it has increased I don’t accept lymph nodes in the neck, now the nodes are dissolving
You definitely don’t need Teraflex - you have obvious arthritis, not arthrosis. Firstly, your uric acid is high - it could even be gout. To clarify the diagnosis, take this test again, recheck the ESR (it is also elevated in you - this indicates inflammation), take a test for ALT, AST, C-reactive protein and seromucoid. You need to see a rheumatologist for these tests. He will determine whether you have gout or rheumatoid arthritis. Or a combination of them - this also happens.
Consultation is provided for informational purposes only. Based on the results of the consultation received, please consult a doctor.
“What tests should be taken for arthrosis?” This question worries many patients diagnosed with deforming osteoarthritis. An examination is required to clarify the preliminary diagnosis; without it, treatment of joint disease cannot begin. The patient will have to undergo biochemical and clinical blood tests, as well as modern types of tomography - computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and necessarily x-rays.
Before taking various tests, it is necessary to undergo primary medical examinations. after which the picture of the disease can become clearer. We are all familiar with the laboratory test of human organs and systems, which involves donating blood from a vein. This is done for arthrosis on an empty stomach, allowing it to rest for 6-12 hours. BAC allows you to identify inflammatory processes that may accompany the disease, and will also help distinguish arthrosis from arthritis.
In rheumatoid arthritis, a biochemical blood test reveals an increased level of C-reactive protein, immunoglobulins, and seromucoid, which do not change with deforming arthrosis. Arthritis will almost always be reflected in the results of a blood test, so donating blood from a vein must be done in order to eliminate assumptions about the presence of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases, which are sometimes very close in symptoms to arthrosis.
A clinical blood test will provide a more complete picture of the patient’s health; with arthrosis, it does not differ much from the normal state, but sometimes changes in the sedimentation rate of red blood cells (erythrocytes) are observed. A medical analysis that reveals a slight increase in the ESR value in the presence of pain that torments a person at night may indicate the occurrence of a rheumatic process, which is more likely arthritis than osteoarthritis.
However, this blood test cannot give clear answers whether the patient has arthrosis, but it sweeps aside other diseases, narrowing the range of possible diagnoses.
What examinations should a patient undergo with arthrosis of the knee joint - gonarthrosis?
Nowadays, to clarify the diagnosis of gonarthrosis, they most often resort to clinical and biochemical blood tests, radiography and magnetic resonance or computed tomography.
Clinical blood test. For this test, blood is taken from a finger prick. With arthrosis, a clinical blood test, as a rule, does not show any specific changes. Only in some cases may there be a very slight increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or ROE): up to 20mm.
On the contrary, a significant increase in ESR (higher) in combination with night pain in the joint should prompt us to think about the possible rheumatic, inflammatory origin of these pains. If the patient also has an increased number of leukocytes, then this circumstance confirms the presence of some kind of infectious-inflammatory process in the body, which affects the joints in particular. However, in any case, a clinical blood test does not give clear answers; it only indicates trends and narrows the circle of diagnostic search.
Blood chemistry. When performing this test, blood is taken from a vein, and always on an empty stomach. A biochemical blood test can provide significant assistance to the doctor in the differential diagnosis of joint damage: arthrosis or arthritis?
Thus, with rheumatic diseases (arthritis), the level of so-called inflammatory markers in the blood increases significantly: C-reactive protein, seromucoid, some globulins and immunoglobulins. With arthrosis, these biochemical parameters, on the contrary, remain normal.
True, there are cases when certain types of arthritis also do not lead to a significant change in biochemical parameters. But still, such an analysis, as a rule, helps to make a clear distinction between inflammatory and metabolic-dystrophic diseases of the joints (between arthritis and arthrosis).
What examinations must be carried out for a patient with arthrosis of the hip joint ( coxarthrosis )?
Nowadays, to clarify the diagnosis of coxarthrosis, they most often resort to clinical and biochemical blood tests, radiography and magnetic resonance or computed tomography. Somewhat less often, the patient is prescribed an ultrasound (ultrasound examination) of the joints.
Clinical blood test. For this test, blood is taken from a finger. With arthrosis, a clinical blood test, as a rule, does not show any specific changes. Only in some cases may there be a very slight increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR or ROE): up to 20 mm.
On the contrary, a significant increase in ESR (higher) in combination with night pain in the joint should prompt us to think about the rheumatic, inflammatory origin of these pains.
That is, perhaps the patient has arthritis. Or ankylosing spondylitis.
If the patient also has an increased number of leukocytes, then this circumstance confirms the presence of some kind of infectious-inflammatory process in the body, which affects the joints in particular.
However, in any case, a clinical blood test does not give clear answers; it only indicates trends and narrows the circle of diagnostic search.
Blood chemistry. Analysis for rheumatic tests. When performing this test, blood is taken from a vein, and always on an empty stomach. A blood test taken from a vein can provide significant assistance to the doctor in making a differential diagnosis of joint damage: arthrosis or arthritis? Thus, with rheumatic diseases (arthritis), the level of so-called inflammatory markers in the blood increases significantly: C-reactive protein, seromucoid, some globulins and immunoglobulins.
With arthrosis, these biochemical parameters, on the contrary, remain normal.
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Traditional medicine does not have any means that could completely cure arthrosis. There are only a few ways to relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
The most well-known drugs for the treatment of arthrosis are chondroprotectors. There are many drugs in this group, all of them are expensive, and you need to take them constantly with short breaks. They are effective in cases of partial loss of cartilage. If it is completely lost, the reception is useless.
There are many different treatments and methods for preventing arthrosis at home:
It is not difficult to completely restore JOINTS! The most important thing is to rub this into the sore spot 2-3 times a day.
The disease usually develops slowly and unnoticed by a person. At first, a person does not experience certain symptoms and does not make complaints. The first “bells” of arthrosis are:
With the development of degenerative changes, an inflammatory process begins to form around the damaged cartilage. This leads to pain in the joints during movement. In the morning or after a long rest, stiffness is observed.
During an exacerbation, the following symptoms are observed:
Over time, deformation occurs and bone formations – osteophytes – may appear. Diagnosis is carried out using x-ray methods. The simplest and most accessible is radiography of the affected structures. There are 4 degrees of severity of pathology:
Depending on the symptoms of arthrosis, diagnostic methods and further treatment may change. For example, with grade 3 or 4 arthrosis, spiral computed tomography can be performed to determine the severity of the pathological process. Treatment for advanced arthrosis is almost always only surgical, since the prognosis for recovery without surgery is unfavorable.
Medicines prescribed for arthrosis are sold in pharmacies without a prescription, so anyone can buy them. But taking them without medical supervision is not recommended due to the development of side effects.
Several groups of drugs are used to treat joints:
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are represented by selective and non-selective drugs.
Non-selective - in addition to the main effect, they also have a number of undesirable side effects. Available in tablets, injections and rectal suppositories: Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Ketoprofen, Ketorolac, Indomethacin. These drugs, when taken uncontrolled, lead to gastritis and stomach ulcers, so you need to combine their use with proton pump inhibitors - Omeprazole.
Selective anti-inflammatory drugs have a low number of side effects and no effect on the stomach. Selective agents include Movalis, Meloxicam, Celecoxib.
A special place is occupied by the newest drug Fleckerin (diacerein). Its active substance inhibits the synthesis of inflammatory mediators in the joint. Also, under its influence, the proliferation of new cartilage tissue cells - chondrocytes, the synthesis of collagen and other cartilage components occurs.
The next group of drugs are chondroprotectors. Their main components are glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Medicines stimulate the growth of new cartilage cells and slow down the process of joint destruction. The most popular drugs are Artroflex, Mucosat, Chondroitin. It is best used as an injection.
Pharmacy ointments and gels are presented in the form: Diclofenac ointment, Voltaren-gel, Fastum gel. Ointments warm and help relieve pain. In addition to the accepted methods of therapy, there are a number of new methods using the latest technologies and home treatment methods:
For arthrosis, the herbal homeopathic drug Aflubin is used. It has the following effects on the body:
It will be useful for arthrosis of an infectious and rheumatic nature. For other forms of arthrosis it is less effective. It is also not recommended for monotherapy, but as part of complex treatment it has a pronounced therapeutic effect. Dorogov's antiseptic stimulant has a good effect on joint diseases. For arthrosis, the use of ASD fraction 2 is allowed. The drug can be taken orally or in the form of compresses.
The drug has the following effects:
The advantage of ASD is the absence of contraindications and side effects.
Of the methods of physiotherapy, darsonval has proven itself to be the most successful. A device that emits high-frequency currents is used for exacerbations of arthrosis to reduce pain and inflammation. The device comes with special attachments for different approaches to treating joints. Treatments can be done at home or in a physical therapy office. To relieve symptoms, you need to do at least 10 sessions of 5-10 minutes each.
The peculiarity is that to achieve results, treatment must be long-term.
During exacerbation of the disease, local therapy is excellent:
Recipe No. 1. You can relieve pain and inflammation using a mixture of camphor alcohol and medical bile. You need to take the ingredients in a 4:1 ratio. Leave the mixture in a dark place for two weeks. Apply compresses to the sore joint and hold for no longer than 20 minutes.
Recipe No. 2. Turpentine-based ointment is prepared in a 1:1 ratio with apple cider vinegar, and yolk is also added to the mixture. Apply the mixture to the sore spot at night and wrap it in a warm scarf.
Recipe No. 3. Natural pea-sized mummy should be mixed with three tablespoons of honey. Rub the joint with this mixture once a day before bed until symptoms disappear.
This treatment method involves selecting an individual program to restore mobility of the affected joints. Dr. Bubnovsky is the owner of many clinics in which he practices kinesitherapy on personally made simulators. Kinesitherapy is the treatment of joints using movement and breathing . The development of bone joints is carried out independently by the patient or with the help of an instructor.
Based on this principle, exercises are divided into active and passive. But the main feature of Bubnovsky’s exercises is breathing coordination. When performing the most difficult moments of gymnastics, you need to do them with a noisy sharp exhalation. Bubnovsky believes that the patient “exhales the disease.”
He himself suffers from arthrosis and denies the effectiveness of treatment with many drugs. I am sure that constant kinesitherapy on the simulator can even delay surgical treatment for stage 3 arthrosis.
In addition to Bubnovsky, doctor Evdokimenko offers his own method. The essence of his method is the use of manual therapy together with cryotherapy and traction of bone joints. Also during the treatment course, injections of solutions are performed into the joint cavity. Dr. Evdokimenko, unlike Bubnovsky, does not deny drug treatment for joint diseases.
The method of treating arthrosis by fasting causes a lot of controversy. The technique does not have an evidence base, so it is difficult to judge its effectiveness. It is worth remembering that fasting can lead to health problems.
Conservatively, the patient can be provided with anti-inflammatory and analgesic therapy. The function of the joint can be partially restored with the help of active gymnastics and training. They will first have to be performed through pain. But the articulation will develop, and the function of the joint will be restored. Tablets, injections and ointments are not effective for grade 3. To prevent the development of advanced arthrosis, it is necessary to treat it from stage 1.
Very often, joint arthrosis is treated symptomatically, without taking into account the causes that caused it. You will never be able to achieve a good result with this approach. For example, rheumatoid arthritis is often treated as osteoarthritis deformans. Which is fundamentally wrong.
For this pathology, special drugs are prescribed for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Anti-inflammatory and hormonal agents are also effective. Only in this case it is possible to achieve a reduction in inflammation. Treatment of post-traumatic deforming arthrosis is based on physiotherapy and gymnastics.
Infectious arthritis is almost always wandering, without a clear localization of the pathological process. Its treatment should be carried out systemically, using antibacterial agents. Although it does not leave behind consequences in the form of deformation.
As a new approach, today they offer a universal technique that affects all parts of the pathological process - bone, cartilage, ligaments, muscles. For this purpose, platelet autoplasma is used in the form of infiltration around and inside the joint. This method is called “Plasmolifting”.
The disadvantage of hyaluronic acid preparations is their high cost, requiring 3 to 5 injections. Recently, the drug Synvisc One appeared, which made it possible to treat arthrosis with one injection.
Western doctors are increasingly replacing endoprosthesis replacement with an artificial prosthesis with “bioprosthetics”. For this purpose, stem cells are used, which are taken from the affected joint, transferred to multiply on their own periosteum and then transplanted together with the periosteum to the desired surface in the joint - this is how a “new” joint is formed.
Medicine has not yet identified the true reasons that influence the rapid development of deforming arthrosis. However, experts have identified a number of factors that provoke the occurrence of pathology. One of these is the general aging of all organs, including the human skeletal system. The rest are divided into two categories:
Arthrosis deformans can result from a person’s long-term use of hormonal drugs, congenital joint mobility, or hip dislocation.
Progressive pathology can deform almost all human joints, but the most common are the elbows and knees, ankle and foot joints. Less commonly, arthrosis of the wrist joint and spine may occur.
Three degrees of development of the disease are diagnosed:
Deforming arthrosis of the 1st degree responds well to complex therapy. With the support of chondroprotectors, patients are treated with physical therapy and physiotherapy.
Signs of the development of deforming arthritis are the following:
If the pathology of deforming arthrosis of large joints progresses and degrades, pain during movement becomes unbearable. This is explained by the fact that pieces of cartilage tissue fall into the joint cavity.
Signs of disease on the phalanges are small hard nodules on the surface of the joint. At the second stage, the muscles do not atrophy, mobility remains. Arthrosis of the wrist joint is often accompanied by the formation of contracture. In this case, muscle contraction occurs, which leads to a visual shortening of the arm.
In its manifestations, the disease is similar to rheumatoid arthritis, therefore, before giving recommendations on how to treat arthrosis deformans, the doctor will conduct a thorough diagnostic examination.
Treatment of deforming arthrosis is impossible without a thorough examination, including drawing up a general clinical picture based on anamnesis and the latest laboratory data obtained.
As such, there are no typical signs and symptoms for a disease such as arthrosis. The attending physician prescribes a referral for examination based on criteria such as the patient’s general health, increased pain when moving, the formation of nodules in the area of the affected joints, and numerous complaints about deteriorating motor functions.
The main diagnostic methods for deformed arthritis are as follows:
Laboratory blood diagnostics are added to the basic examinations, the results of which should indicate the absence of inflammatory processes in the body, and arthroscopy. The latter is invasion of the joint through surgery. At the same time, on the monitor screen the specialist is able to see a detailed picture of the affected joint.
For deforming arthrosis, treatment is a set of measures aimed at relieving pain and stopping the process of joint depletion. In addition, by deforming tissue, arthrosis causes muscle stiffness and restriction of human movements. This symptom is also removed by carrying out the necessary therapeutic measures.
Orthopedists or traumatologists can answer the question of how to cure arthrosis. Treatment is entirely within the competence of these specialists. Doctors identify the causes that influence the development of the disease, determine its degree, and only after that they develop a specific treatment regimen following the following recommendations:
If the disease is in a progressive stage, a specialist may recommend a course of hormonal medications administered by injection directly into the joint.
At the third stage, when the above methods of therapy become powerless, the patient may be offered joint replacement. After the operation, it is necessary to undergo a course of rehabilitation, including sanatorium treatment, therapeutic baths, mud, a complex of massages and other physical procedures.
It is the damage to the cartilage, accompanied by characteristic pain, that immediately reveals the presence of the disease. As soon as the joint ceases to be elastic and flexible, inevitable friction of the bones occurs, and as a result of even minor loads they are damaged. Due to increasing calcification, the strength of the ligaments is lost and illness occurs.
Recently, doctors have noted that many diseases that previously occurred mainly in adults have increasingly begun to appear in children. This includes the disease arthrosis. Arthrosis is different. How many joints are there in the human body, there are so many potential locations for the development of the disease. The most common are arthrosis of the knee joint (gonarthrosis) and more dangerous in terms of consequences – arthrosis of the hip joint (coxarthrosis). Inflammation of the shoulder joint and foot are less typical, but no less painful.
The essence of pathological changes in articular cartilage consists in the process of modification and consistent inflammation of all accompanying elements: subchondral bone, all ligaments and capsule. The periarticular muscles and synovial membrane also suffer from arthrosis. Of course, older people are most susceptible to this disease. Although there are also constant occupational stresses that cause, for example, arthrosis of the hand joint or phalangeal joint of the foot. Particularly serious dysfunction of the musculoskeletal system is caused by inflammation of the ankle, hip and knee joints.
Arthrosis occurs when a person lacks water for a long time, i.e. it is either drunk in very small quantities or replaced with some other drinks . In this case, uric acid salts accumulate in the body. In addition, salts are collected when there is a lack of vitamin C, which dissolves them and transports oxygen to the cells. As a result, the accumulated salts (or mucus) can affect various organs, depending on the concentration and in which specific organs they are found.
Most often, arthrosis occurs due to several risk factors.
Diagnosis of arthrosis mainly consists of an x-ray, examination of synovial fluid in the laboratory (the nature of the disease is determined: is it an infection or salt deposition), a medical examination and a medical history (type of pain, determination of their shape and level of mobility), general urine and blood tests (plus its biochemical analysis) and immunological research.
The first signs of pathology, most often, go completely unnoticed. Symptoms may vary for each person, and the severity of inflammatory reactions depends on the stage of the disease. Signs of the disease can be recognized by the following symptoms:
Joints lose normal functioning for two reasons, if the load on them is small and mobility is limited, and vice versa with excessive load and sudden movements. Therefore, to prevent arthrosis, it is recommended to lead an active lifestyle and not perform too sudden movements. It’s great if a person takes daily walks. Walking is very beneficial for both joints and the health of the entire body as a whole. If you cannot set aside time for this every day, you should walk to and from work. The Japanese recommend taking 10,000 steps throughout the day.
If we take into account all the risk factors, then in youth it is genetics, and in old age it is changes in hormonal levels. In the first case, the prevention of arthrosis will consist of strengthening general physical health, taking calcium and phosphorus supplements, and regular sanatorium rest. The health of joints in young people depends on the correct load distributed to each group, therefore active sports can negatively affect the functioning of the joints. Before you begin heavy sports activities, you should consult a specialist to determine how well all joints work.
In addition, injury to people at a young age is a risk factor. Therefore, fractures in the area of the upper and lower extremities must be eliminated completely through immobilization until complete healing. After healing, it is necessary to carry out restorative procedures to completely restore the normal functioning of large joints.
Older people (after 50) are subject to hormonal changes, which affect the condition of the joints. Such patients undergo therapeutic treatment for hormonal imbalance as a method of preventing exacerbation and joint disease. It will also be useful to carry out physiotherapeutic procedures in a hospital setting. You can massage your fingers yourself at home. Method of massaging the joints on the fingers:
Prevention of joint disease is quite simple, and pathologies such as arthrosis are worth carrying out daily. In stationary conditions, electrophoresis with herbs and medications that promote healing and restoration of dystrophic changes can be prescribed.
The psychological factor is important, as with any other pathology, therefore, along with the above recommendations, you need to stay in a good mood and avoid stressful situations.
Genetic predisposition is the most common cause of arthrosis. If parents suffered from this disease, then most likely their children will also encounter it. Now the disease is significantly “younger”.
To prevent arthrosis, you should ensure the uniformity of loads on the joints. People engaged in sedentary and standing jobs may experience uneven loads:
Joints are negatively affected by regular and excessive physical activity. Constant work with vibrating tools is especially harmful.
Various endocrine diseases (diabetes mellitus, obesity) also lead to arthrosis. Women during menopause may develop a hormone deficiency, which causes cartilage to weaken and become susceptible to damage.
For the most part, arthrosis is a female disease; 87% of women aged 55 to 65 years suffer from it. Osteoarthritis can affect almost any joint. The disease has either a primary or secondary form.
Primary arthrosis begins for no apparent reason, usually in people over 40 years of age. Many joints are affected at the same time. This form of arthrosis is accompanied by:
Arthrosis, as a rule, is localized on the fingers; nodular changes occur on the phalanges.
Secondary arthrosis can appear at any age. Damage occurs to one or more joints of the spine and limbs. With this type of disease, the joint spaces narrow, the surface of the bones becomes thicker due to bone growths.
When the ankle is damaged, a person experiences:
Secondary arthrosis is a common problem for runners, football players and ballerinas.
The causes of arthrosis and its form can only be determined by a doctor. This is done through a comprehensive examination of the person.
Diagnosis of arthrosis is carried out using:
It is not always easy to determine the degree of development of arthrosis. Sometimes, even with serious changes on the x-ray, the patient does not feel severe pain. There are also opposite cases: when there is severe pain, but the changes on the x-ray are very insignificant.
Currently, the treatment of arthrosis is an urgent and complex problem. There are a lot of medications available in the pharmacy to combat arthrosis, moreover, their number is constantly growing. However, most medications have only symptomatic effects.
Currently, none of the medications is a panacea for treating joints. The treatment strategy is created by the attending physician; the patient can help him by reporting his symptoms and sensations in detail. Arthrosis can only be eliminated with the help of complex therapy.
Initially, you need to relieve pain. During an exacerbation of arthrosis, diseased joints need rest and a reduction in the amount of stress.
Doctors advise unloading the limbs with the help of devices:
It is important to avoid standing or bending for long periods of time. Along with this, chondroprotectors should be prescribed. These are drugs that “restore” a mechanically damaged joint. Chondroprotectors are a kind of lubricant of the articular surfaces to prevent further deformation of the cartilage.
Arthrosis is always accompanied by an inflammatory process. To combat it, the doctor prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs. However, their use can be both beneficial and dangerous.
Only the level of qualification and experience can allow the doctor to reverse the patient’s inflammatory process, while avoiding thrombosis, gastritis, liver disease and other complications.
As prescribed by a doctor at home, a person can use the following remedies:
The use of physiotherapeutic methods, for example, acupuncture and hirudotherapy (treatment of joints with leeches), is effective. In addition, you can undergo sanatorium-resort treatment during remission. Natural mud and mineral baths should be used.
The spine is connected to the entire body through nerve endings. When a certain vertebra is damaged, problems begin with the muscles and organs with which it is connected. So, when the 7th cervical vertebra is damaged, the thyroid gland suffers. And with it - the whole hormonal background. At the same time, the spine is one of the most vulnerable parts of our body, which is easily subject to deformation due to an incorrect lifestyle, which, alas, we all actively practice.
The most common arthrosis is the lumbar spine and cervical spine. At the root of the pathological process is a violation of the blood supply. When the subcartilaginous layer of the periosteum is deprived of nutrition, the cartilage tissue gradually begins to thin out and lose elasticity. And repeated loads only worsen the condition. As a result, subluxations occur in the joints and the formation of bone growths called osteophytes. Endocrine and hormonal disorders entail similar deformations, although the mechanism of their development is somewhat different.
The disease progresses gradually and may be local in nature. The most common is cervical arthrosis of the spine, the symptoms of which are most pronounced. If the lumbar region is affected, the disease may be asymptomatic.
Initially, the disease causes deformation of the articular cartilage, its gradual destruction and, as a result, the formation of osteophytes, which completely deprive the spinal column of flexibility.
Damage to cartilage leads to constant muscle spasm, as the muscles try to take the load upon themselves. This causes back pain and interferes with normal blood flow. In this case, the vertebral cartilage is also deprived of nutrition, which aggravates its condition. It turns out to be a vicious circle that is very difficult to break, but today we will find out how to treat spinal arthrosis.
Spondyloarthrosis is divided into two types - primary, or idiopathic, and secondary. The causes of primary arthrosis are still unknown to medicine, but it is assumed that hereditary predisposition, as well as congenital abnormalities of the musculoskeletal system, play an important role in its development. These are flat feet, dysplasia, etc.
Arthrosis of the spinal column is caused by the following reasons:
The disease also occurs in young people, but is most often diagnosed in people over 60 years of age. It is noteworthy that after the age of 45, the main percentage of patients are women, and before 45, men are mostly affected.
Wear and tear of joints is a natural process, but in our case it is accelerated significantly by incorrect back position, excess weight, and injuries.
The main symptom of spinal arthrosis is pain in the affected area. There is a feeling of limited mobility of the back when bending to the sides or back and forth. The pain goes away when the patient takes a horizontal position, as the load is removed from him. The area of the back where pain is felt is limited.
In the mornings, patients are bothered by stiffness and feel constrained in their movements. When moving for a long time, there is a strong desire to stretch your stiff back.
Arthrosis of the cervical spine is also characterized by:
What it is? This is one of the types of spondyloarthrosis, during which growths called osteophytes grow on the spinal column. They injure the sensitive ligaments of the spine. With this type of disease, which usually affects the neck, the patient hears a constant crunching sound when turning the head.
Uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine is characterized by a gradual increase in pain, which eventually becomes unbearable and constant. The patient tries to turn his neck and move his arms less. It is especially dangerous due to the development of neurological complications. This is one of the most serious types of neck arthrosis. Now that we have looked at arthrosis of the cervical spine, what it is, let’s move on to the symptoms and subtleties of treatment.
As the pathological process intensifies, a crunching sound is observed in the spinal column, almost inaudible at first. Later it occurs with any movement. At the second stage of the disease, the movements themselves become very limited. Soon pain begins to appear even at rest, and the muscles in the affected area spasm and atrophy. As a result, a hernia may occur. The deformation of the spine at this time is already noticeable even upon visual examination.
Thoracic spinal arthrosis develops much less frequently than cervical or lumbar arthrosis. It is manifested by pain between the shoulder blades that occurs when turning the body and morning stiffness.
Attention! In the initial stages of the disease, when pain in the affected area appears only when lifting heavy objects and sharp turns of the neck, timely consultation with a doctor will significantly reduce the duration of treatment - it will take only about two weeks to recover.
To diagnose spinal arthrosis, screening research methods are used that allow visualization of the spinal column. This is an MRI, X-ray. If there is a suspicion of uncovertebral arthrosis of the cervical spine, it is recommended to do an ultrasound of the brain. This will exclude suspicion of other diseases.
If arthrosis of the cervical spine is diagnosed, treatment (as well as other parts of the spinal column) includes:
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Diclofenac and Nimesulide, will help relieve pain and inflammation. The main disadvantage of these drugs is the large number of side effects, but during an exacerbation they cannot be avoided. In order to reduce the risk of side effects, doctors prescribe drugs in the form of injections, ointments, and gels.
Restoration of cartilage tissue is carried out using chondroprotectors. They are especially effective in the initial stages of the disease, as they have a pronounced therapeutic effect. The drugs help restore the regeneration of cartilage tissue and improve the nutrition of cartilage and discs. Among the recommended drugs are Teraflex, Stoparthrosis, Alflutol.
If conservative treatment methods are ineffective, radiofrequency denervation may be used. The method involves exposing the diseased area to an electromagnetic field and is minimally invasive, with minimal risk of complications.
In the presence of complicated arthrosis (for example, compression of the spinal cord), surgical treatment methods may be prescribed. But they are rarely prescribed due to the fact that conservative therapy usually helps eliminate the manifestations of the disease.