If the first symptoms appear, contact the clinic immediately
Inflammatory pathology affects one or more joints at the same time. Arthritis can be acute or chronic. The first type develops suddenly, accompanied by sharp pain, while the chronic course develops gradually. There are 4 degrees of joint arthritis. Thanks to this knowledge, it is easier for doctors to make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment. The stages of development of the pathological process differ in severity. The disease can be not only inflammatory, but also degenerative. The latter type of disease is dangerous due to deformation of the cartilage tissue where the bone structures are connected. Inflammatory, degenerative, acute and chronic arthritis can develop in various compounds. The pathological process is often found in the knee, ankle, elbow, shoulder, hip and maxillofacial joints.
Currently, more than 30 million people live with joint arthritis. Scientists say that by 2030 in the United States alone, the number of people with arthritis will reach 67 million. Treatment and outcome depend on which joints are affected. “Most joint pain is caused by friction. Worn out hips and knees tend to gradually deteriorate after conservative treatment and may require surgery, but arthritis in the hands can be treated without surgery, says Jonathan Edwards, MD, professor.
Arthritis begins to affect the joints before the patient notices clinical symptoms. By the time the first signs of stiffness and pain appear, changes in the joint may have reached an advanced stage. The first changes that occur with first-degree arthritis are that the cartilage tissue covering the ends of the bones begins to wear away, leaving less space between the bones. The smooth surface of the cartilage and the lubricating fluid inside the joint allow for easy and painless movement of the limbs, but a combination of age, excessive pressure on the joints, and possibly genetic predisposition causes the cartilage to gradually wear down. It has no nerves, but when friction begins, the first painful symptoms appear. Signs of grade 1 arthritis:
Immune cells move to the site of inflammation, which leads to their increase in the synovial fluid. At the first stage of arthritis, there is no hyperthermia, morning stiffness, the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is normal, no exudative changes are observed, there is a slight increase in the concentration of ? -globulin - up to 10. Fast phase protein is absent in the blood serum. Previous treatment for arthritis includes exercise and fighting inflammation with NSAIDs. Losing weight helps relieve extra pressure on your joints.
Arthritis of the 2nd degree is characterized by more severe pain. Bone erosions begin to form, along with continued thinning of the cartilage tissue. Erosions are most often diagnosed in the metacarpophalangeal areas, near the ulna and in the wrist. In the second degree of the inflammatory process, there are no deformities, although the mobility of the joint is impaired due to muscle atrophy and changes in the soft tissues around the joint. Signs of the disease:
With gouty arthritis, night attacks of pain are observed. Laboratory studies show that the erythrocyte sedimentation rate is exceeded by 20 mm/h, the level of C-reactive protein is also increased, the concentration is ? -globulin is up to 12. Conservative treatment at the second stage of arthritis development still helps, it is important not to reach the third stage.
The third degree of joint arthritis is defined as severe. This stage is characterized by the accumulation of polymorphonuclear leukocytes in the synovial fluid, as well as the proliferation of synovial cells. There is virtually no cartilage in the affected joint. Cartilage tissue is replaced by osteophytes, the interosseous space narrows. Signs of third degree joint arthritis:
Soft tissue swelling and loss of cartilage are visible on x-ray. In rheumatoid arthritis, nodules form on the fingers and toes. Arthritis of the 3rd degree is not limited to one joint; the deformity in the hands is in most cases symmetrical. When the hip joints are affected, atrophy of the gluteal and femoral muscles is observed. The victim's physical activity is so limited that he requires support to move around. Patients begin to use canes, crutches, and walkers. Treatment for arthritis at this stage usually includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, muscle relaxants and other drugs that alleviate the patient's condition, as well as exercise therapy and physical therapy.
In the later stages of arthritis, all joint structures are affected. The lubricating fluid is completely lost and the affected joint becomes filled with inflammatory fluids that stretch the joint capsule, causing severe joint swelling, pain and stiffness. Stronger pain medication may be needed. Some patients are scheduled for joint replacement surgery. Symptoms and signs of the disease:
The erythrocyte sedimentation rate is more than 40 mm/h, and CRP is elevated. At 4 degrees of joint disease, the patient is given the right to receive disability. Treatment is aimed at reducing pain and preventing damage to other joints. If the first three stages can still be cured with conservative methods, then the degree of arthritis at number four is characterized as an irreversible change in bones and cartilage, requiring surgery. Patients with late-stage arthritis undergo joint replacement surgery.
Arthritis is an inflammation of one or more joints that can develop at any age and in any part of the human skeleton. The disease can develop suddenly, accompanied by sharp pain (acute form) or gradually, gradually (chronic form).
Numerous types of arthritis are usually divided into two groups:
The group of inflammatory arthritis is characterized by inflammation of the synovial membrane lining the internal cavity of the joint and includes arthritis:
The group of degenerative arthritis is characterized by deformation of cartilage located at the joints of bones and includes:
According to localization on parts of the body, arthritis is:
Depending on the severity of the course, there are 4 degrees of arthritis. The extent of the damage can only be determined during an X-ray examination.
In the first phase of the disease, slight pain in the diarthrosis and difficulty moving in the morning are observed.
A patient with grade 1 arthritis of the joints of the fingers is surprised to notice that the simplest actions (opening a water tap, turning the gas tap under the kettle) are difficult for him. Inactivity of the hands in the morning (“glove symptom”) is a characteristic sign of stage 1 of the disease.
Stage 1 of the ankle joint disease is characterized by pain during flexion and extension. Shoes that suddenly become tight around the ankle indicate the development of characteristic swelling.
The pain that occurs in the ankle is periodic. Constant tension in the joint leads to the patient feeling unwell and quickly getting tired. As a rule, with grade 1 ankle inflammation, he does not go to the doctor.
Photo of a healthy hand and an arthritic hand
At stage 1 of inflammation of the shoulder joint, after physical activity, mild pain occurs in it, which goes away almost immediately.
Aching pain in the knee joint, sometimes occurring at stage 1 of inflammation of the knee diarthrosis, intensifies with exercise, but quickly passes.
Stage 1 of psoriatic arthritis is marked by the occurrence of short-term painful sensations in the joints of the legs and arms, mainly during sleep.
A sign of inflammation of the hip joint of the 1st degree, that is, arthritis in children, can cause the child to refuse to walk, fear of standing on his feet, constant stumbling and frequent falls. If you notice these signs, you must immediately show your baby to the doctor.
With grade 2 arthritis of the fingers, swelling of the joints is observed. A musician begins to feel pain while playing a musical instrument. The fingers begin to make crunching and cracking noises.
Stage 2 of gonitis (inflammation of the knee joint) is characterized by obvious swelling in the joint area, difficulty in moving in the morning, and the appearance of sharp painful sensations. The skin over the joint is red and hot.
Stage 2 of inflammation of the ankle joint is marked by the appearance of severe pain that does not subside even at night, during sleep. The injured ankle swells and turns red and crunches when moving.
Ultrasound diagnosis of arthritis
The inflammatory process at stage 2 of coxitis development is accompanied by a pronounced pain syndrome, which often leads to immobility of the hip joint. Errors in diagnosis are often explained by the fact that the pain is transmitted (radiates) to the knee joint, forcing the patient to limp.
Grade 2 shoulder arthritis leads to limited hand dexterity. The patient cannot raise his hand high, remove the item he needs from a high-hanging shelf, or comb his hair. The skin in the area of the shoulder joint is hyperemic and swollen. The damaged joint hurts all the time, even without stress. Night attacks of pain are characteristic, intensifying before the onset of morning. During the movement of the diarthrosis, a cracking sound can be heard. It is at stage 2 of the disease that the patient seeks medical help.
Gouty arthritis is characterized by severe attacks of pain at night.
Stage 2 psoriatic arthritis is characterized by swelling and deformation of the big toes (it is in these places that uric acid salts are deposited).
Stage 2 of rheumatoid arthritis is marked by the development of a tumor around the damaged joint, caused by the influx of a large amount of synovial fluid.
Stage 3 of the development of arthritis of the fingers demonstrates symmetrical deformation of the joints on both hands. The patient experiences severe pain in the fingers, especially after a period of rest. The skin over the inflamed joints is red and swollen. Finger movements are constrained.
Stage 3 inflammation of knee diarthrosis leads to its deformation. The pain experienced by the patient is so severe that it provokes muscle spasm, and this entails deformation of the knee joint. The progression of arthrosis at stage 3 gradually leads to fixation of the bones in the wrong position.
Arthritis hand
Stage 3 arthritis of the ankle joint leads to its complete deformation. There is a restriction of mobility in the area of the articulation of the foot with the bones of the lower leg.
Damage to the shoulder joint at stage 3 of the disease is characterized by its deformation, as a result of which the patient is almost unable to move his arm. When you try to move, you can hear a click in the shoulder. The pain syndrome persists. Palpation causes severe pain in the patient.
Inflammation of the hip joint at stage 3 leads to atrophy of the gluteal and femoral muscles. Deformation of the joint causes limited and difficult movements; prerequisites for the development of muscle contracture appear.
Arthritis of the 3rd degree is often an indication for disability.
Stage 4 arthritis of the ankle joint leads to complete loss of ability to work and disability, as the patient is unable to walk.
Arthritis of the fingers at stage 4 often ends with fusion of the articular cartilages, which leads to loss of finger mobility and loss of self-care skills. A patient with stage 4 arthritis of the fingers is often completely helpless.
Stage 4 arthritis of the shoulder joint ends with complete immobility. The radiograph of this period reflects irreversible deformations of the joint itself and the cartilage surrounding it.
Inflammation of the knee joint at the 4th stage of development of the disease leads to the formation of tendon-muscular contracture.
Arthritis of the hip joint at stage 4 ends with the development of fibrous or bone ankylosis (complete immobility of the affected joint as a result of intra-articular adhesions).
The pain syndrome in grade 4 arthritis intensifies even more and causes unbearable suffering to the patient.
The prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis in all age categories is so great that it is quite appropriate to devote a separate section of the article to this serious illness.
In the clinic, rheumatoid arthritis is divided into 4 degrees. The basis for classification is data from X-ray studies.
Stage 1 rheumatoid arthritis is determined by the presence of thinning of the bones. The hand joints and metatarsophalangeal joints are the first to be damaged. An X-ray of this period shows that the soft tissues undergo compaction; periarticular osteoporosis begins. At this stage of rheumatoid arthritis, bone cysts begin to form.
Stage 1 rheumatoid arthritis can develop at any age, even in young children (juvenile arthritis). A sluggish disease can lie dormant for many years, and manifest itself in full force in adulthood.
With stage 2 rheumatoid arthritis, along with thinning of the bones, the development of their erosion is observed. Rheumatoid arthritis of the 2nd degree - the beginning of cartilage deformation and limitation of mobility of diarthrosis (shoulder, knee, hand joints).
Harbingers of muscle atrophy, degeneration of tissues surrounding diarthrosis, the development of edema, a local increase in temperature in the affected area - this is the picture created by radiographs of this period of rheumatoid arthritis. Patients begin to experience pain in the joints.
Stage 3 rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by significant thinning of the bones in the joint area, significant muscle atrophy, and accelerated growth of connective tissues.
Hands affected by rheumatoid arthritis
Inflamed synovial membranes cause limited mobility of diarthrosis. Rheumatoid arthritis of this period is a time of significant salt deposition, which is visible on x-rays.
Stage 4 rheumatoid arthritis leads to extensive bone damage and pronounced osteoporosis. Radiographs of the last stage of rheumatoid arthritis show the presence of multiple cysts and erosions.
Rheumatoid arthritis often ends in joint fusion. The last stage of rheumatoid arthritis is the time when ankylosis of the shoulder, knee, and hip joints occurs.
Rheumatoid arthritis at this stage leads to complete muscle atrophy and degeneration of soft tissue in the joint area. Rheumatoid arthritis of the knee and shoulder diarthrosis in most cases affects both limbs proportionately.
Drug treatment aimed at relieving pain consists of using non-steroidal antiphlogistic drugs (indomethacin, aspirin, ibuprofen) in combination with antibiotics. Drug treatment of chronic arthritis includes the use of intra-articular injections.
Non-drug treatment consists of exercise therapy, ultrasound and magnetic therapy, massage sessions, water and mud therapy.
Traditional methods of treatment recommend taking hot salty baths and relaxing hot showers. If warming procedures provoke pain, traditional healers offer cold treatment.
Gonarthrosis of the third degree is a degenerative lesion of the knee joint, in which destruction of articular cartilage and compensatory bone growth (formation of osteophytes) occurs. The impetus for the development of pathology is the incorrect distribution of the load on the lower limb. Osteophytes play the role of destroyed cartilage tissue, but aggravate the course of the disease.
The clinical picture is presented in the form of a pronounced pain syndrome that occurs even after minor physical activity and at rest, with night pain. The knee changes its shape (deformation), movements in it are sharply limited, the muscles of the lower leg on the affected side gradually atrophy due to limited mobility of the limb.
Due to the presence of a large number of bone growths, some osteophytes can break off and cause joint blockade. This condition is manifested by the inability to actively flex and extend the leg at the knee joint.
The joint space on the x-ray image is narrowed to the limits of the slit-like opening due to marginal bone growths (osteophytes) on the articular surfaces of the bones.
This pathology is diagnosed based on patient complaints, identification of predisposing factors (trauma, endocrine diseases, heavy physical activity), X-ray data, ultrasound, and arthroscopy.
Disability is assigned in the presence of grade 3-4 gonarthrosis, significant limitation of life activity due to a pathological process in the knee.
When assigning a disability group, the following is taken into account:
The patient undergoes re-examination annually.
In orthopedics for gonarthrosis, there are two methods of treating pathology: conservative and surgical.
The first includes:
The surgical method for treating grade 3 gonarthrosis includes surgery to correct the load on the lower limb.
It is carried out to reduce pain and prepare for surgery. Includes unloading of the knee, during which it is necessary to use additional sources of support in the form of a cane.
If pain is of high intensity, patients should move with the help of crutches.
The analgesic effect of drugs, physiotherapy, and spa treatment is used.
The main groups of drugs used for treatment:
NSAIDs have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The most commonly used in clinical practice are Diclofenac, Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, and Analgin. To avoid side effects, the drugs are taken in courses.
Hyaluronate is a substance consisting of protein and carbohydrate molecules. Various biological environments, including synovial fluid, contain it normally.
The role of hyaluronic acid is to facilitate the sliding of the articular surfaces of bones. When administered intra-articularly, patients note improved mobility in the damaged area and elimination of pain.
The action of hyaluronate is aimed at its binding to the components of cartilage, which helps retain water in the cartilage tissue, and also helps to increase its elasticity and improve shock-absorbing properties.
If the patient has an inflammatory process in the knee joint, a course of anti-inflammatory therapy is first administered.
Contraindications for intra-articular administration of the drug include:
The release form is presented in the form of a syringe with a solution. The injection is carried out under aseptic conditions.
The drug is injected into the joint capsule.
A standard treatment regimen requires three to five injections. Dosage regimen – one injection once a week. The interval between subsequent courses is decided on an individual basis.
Possible side effects include:
In case of undesirable consequences, ice is applied to the injection site for ten minutes. If an allergic reaction occurs, further use of preparations with hyaluronic acid is prohibited.
Products that stimulate the production of hyaluronic acid in tissues include:
In the treatment of gonarthrosis, the analgesic effect is achieved through laser and magnetic therapy, heat therapy, electrophoresis and cryotherapy.
Laser radiation, when passing through the skin, affects the pathologically altered tissue and starts the recovery process. The action of the infrared laser is aimed at reducing the sensitivity of nerve endings and increasing blood flow to the joint.
With the help of magnetic therapy, an increase in the tone of the vascular wall and acceleration of recovery reactions are achieved. In the affected knee, metabolic processes are accelerated and inflammation is reduced.
Thermal procedures include ozokerite therapy. The composition of ozokerite includes mineral oils, resins and paraffins. Compresses or applications are applied to the affected joint. Warming up the tissue improves microcirculation and reduces the intensity of pain.
Electrophoresis is a method of administering drugs using electric current without violating the integrity of the skin. The advantages of electrophoresis include local action, which ensures delivery of the drug directly to the cartilage tissue. The risk of side effects is minimal. In a short time, a high concentration of the drug is achieved at the site of the lesion. Novocaine, dimexide and other drugs with analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects are used.
Contraindications for treatment with physiotherapeutic methods include:
PRP therapy is a new way to treat stage 3 gonarthrosis. This is a method of treating joints, muscles and tendons by injecting platelet-rich plasma. Used to shorten the recovery time of cartilage.
The procedure consists of several stages. First, 15–20 ml of blood is drawn from the patient, after which the biological material is placed in an hourglass-shaped tube. The blood is then centrifuged, causing it to be divided into three parts:
In the next step, a platelet suspension is collected using a syringe. The result is 1.5 ml of platelet-rich plasma. Tissue regeneration is triggered when their concentration increases seven to ten times in the affected area. It is the platelet concentration that matters, not the volume of plasma administered.
Platelet-rich plasma is injected into the joint under local anesthesia.
The course of treatment consists of 2–5 sessions, between which there is a break for a week.
Preparation for the procedure involves stopping medications that affect the blood coagulation system two weeks in advance. During the day you need to avoid drinking alcohol. Foods enriched with ascorbic acid should be added to the diet.
Substances called “growth factors” are released from platelets in the affected area. Thanks to their action, the number of stem cells from which cartilage tissue is formed increases. The advantage of this type of therapy is the absence of allergies, since the base is created from the patient’s own biomaterial.
The following contraindications exist for PRP therapy:
Arthrosis of the third degree limits physical activity. You can start training only after consulting a doctor due to the high risk of injury.
Indications, duration of training on an exercise bike and the interval between them are determined based on the range of motion in the joint, intensity of pain, the presence of synovitis and concomitant pathologies.
If the analgesic effect of conservative treatment is insufficient, as well as when a disability group is assigned for stage 3-4 gonarthrosis, surgery cannot be avoided. Surgical interventions are performed to improve the patient’s quality of life, and if there are contraindications from other organs, they can be canceled.
In orthopedics for gonarthrosis, open operations are used, which include: intra-articular, extra-articular and arthroplasty. Among intra-articular operations, arthroscopy is successfully used.
It is a treatment method using endoscopic technology, which does not require dissection of the articular cavity. The operation is performed using thin flexible instruments under video camera control. Arthroscopy provides the opportunity to clean the joint cavity from cartilage decay products, eliminate joint blockage, and administer medications.
This operation alleviates the patient’s condition, but does not eliminate the cause of the disease. It allows you to extend the time until knee replacement or corrective osteotomy. Restoring limb function after arthroscopy takes a short time, and the risk of infectious complications is minimal.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint is called gonarthrosis. The disease slowly and steadily leads to the destruction of the articular, cartilage, and bone tissue of the knee. More often, arthrosis affects the joints of people in old age. This occurs due to the natural abrasion of connective tissues, which leads to disability.
The knee joint is more susceptible to arthrosis due to activity and the load placed on it. The load can be represented by increased physical activity and excess body weight. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint affects young people: professional athletes, people with metabolic disorders.
Arthrosis has several degrees of severity. The third degree of arthrosis of the knee joint is characterized by severe, prolonged pain in the knee. The movement of the leg is severely limited, it is difficult to climb stairs and walk. The patient needs a cane and assistance to move.
Arthrosis of the knee joint of the 3rd degree entails disability, so it should be treated immediately after diagnosis. The x-ray shows that the joint is severely deformed, the cartilage is completely erased. Osteophytes appear on the joint.
Signs that indicate that arthrosis of the knee joint has progressed to the third degree:
Clinical picture of arthrosis of the third degree:
If you discover grade 3 arthrosis, do not delay visiting a doctor. They will help you get rid of debilitating pain and restore joint mobility. Don't wait until disability sets in, start effective treatment.
Arthrosis of the 3rd degree is characterized by an inflammatory process, severe pain that interferes with the full treatment process. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve local inflammation and reduce pain. Anti-inflammatory drugs cannot treat arthrosis. If the drugs are taken without a doctor's prescription, in large doses, this will lead to the final destruction of cartilage tissue and complete immobilization of the leg.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will help relieve swelling from the joint and restore mobility to the leg. The drugs will help you move on to the next stage of treatment - therapeutic massage, physiotherapeutic procedures. Arthrosis of the 3rd degree is manifested by severe pain. When tablets or capsules cannot relieve pain, the doctor prescribes an injection of an anesthetic drug. It should be done as prescribed by a doctor, in a medical facility.
Treatment with anti-inflammatory and painkillers without medical supervision can lead to side effects and deterioration of well-being.
Chondroprotectors are the main drugs involved in the treatment of joint diseases. The peculiarity is that they restore cartilage and joint tissue. The drugs are produced in the form of tablets, ointments, and injection solutions. The tablets should be taken as recommended by a doctor; they may cause side effects. To treat the knee joint, you should use ointments and gels for topical application. An effective method is an injection into the knee joint. It is performed strictly in the doctor’s office, through an X-ray machine. The injection is given no more often than once every six months.
Chondroprotective drugs should be taken for a long time so that the process of restoration of cartilage tissue begins. Arthrosis of the 3rd degree is not easy to cure with medications, so you should be patient, strictly follow the doctor’s recommendations, and carry out comprehensive treatment so as not to become disabled.
Along with drug treatment, arthrosis of the 3rd degree is treated with physiotherapy. Procedures can be done in a clinic or at a sanatorium-resort treatment. Together, the methods produce results.
It is worth doing therapeutic exercises, going to therapeutic massage, and adhering to a special diet. The diet of a patient diagnosed with third-degree arthritis contains protein, calcium, and vegetable fats. It is worth excluding alcohol, salty and sweet foods.
Often the advanced stage of arthrosis leads to the operating table. To avoid surgery, undergo comprehensive treatment.
It is possible to avoid disability and surgery when the knee is affected by arthrosis of the 3rd degree, using folk remedies. Treatment with folk remedies does not exclude the use of medications; they are supplemented. Consult your doctor about contraindications.
Use folk remedies in combination with medications and other procedures. Osteoarthritis of the knee joint of the third degree can threaten the mobility of your leg and cause disability.
Arthritis of the knee joint is a disease accompanied by inflammation of the joint and severe pain. With grade 1 arthritis, no pathological changes yet occur in the joint. Therefore, treatment at this stage can be quite effective and successful. This disease mainly affects older people. This is due to the natural aging of the body.
Not only older people are prone to this disease. For example, infectious arthritis is more common in children. Symptoms of the disease may vary and depend on how far the disease has progressed. Therefore, such degrees of the disease are distinguished.
With the disease of the first and second degrees, no serious deforming changes occur in the joint. Still, if you have the slightest symptoms, you should consult a doctor. Timely treatment will restore your health and save you from disability.
Treatment for arthritis is now possible. Treatment is prescribed based on the cause, as well as the extent of the disease. The patient is recommended to take anti-inflammatory and painkillers. Most often, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ibuprofen, Diclofenac, Ketoprofen) are prescribed, which will help not only relieve inflammation, but also pain.
If arthritis is caused by infection or fungi, then antibacterial (Azithromycin, Lincomycin) and antifungal (Nystatin, Terbinafine) drugs are needed. For topical use, ointments and gels are used (“Fastum-gel”, “Virapin”, “Menovazin”).
For arthritis of the knee joint, doctors recommend wearing a bandage made of dog hair. This is not popular advice, but a clinically proven treatment method. A course of treatment with chondroprotectors is also indicated. Chondroprotectors are special drugs that promote the restoration of cartilage tissue. Such drugs include “Alfutop”, “Arthra”, “Glucosamine”.
If conservative treatment does not bring any results, the option of replacing the joint with an artificial one may be considered. This operation is called endoprosthetics. If endoprosthesis replacement is not suitable for the patient for one reason or another, then in some cases joint arthrodesis is performed. This is an operation during which the joint is completely removed and the bones are fused. Thus, bending the leg at the knee becomes impossible, but the leg retains its supporting function, and the person can move painlessly.
Arthritis of the knee joint requires complex treatment.
Arthritis is also treated with physical therapy. Laser therapy, ultrasound therapy and infrared irradiation (infrared) will help relieve inflammation. Electrical stimulation and massage prevent muscle atrophy and improve blood circulation. Nutrition of tissues with blood is especially important in order to prevent degeneration of cartilage and bone. A procedure such as cryotherapy will help cope with pain and also improve metabolic processes.
An important point for the prevention and treatment of arthritis is proper nutrition and exercise. With first-degree arthritis, diet and exercise may be the only methods that can completely restore the joint. The diet should be designed taking into account the intake of necessary substances into the body.
If you have the opportunity, visit the pool. The joint needs movement. Synovial fluid, which completely fills the cavity and nourishes the cartilage, is produced only when moving. In addition, cartilage has a spongy structure. When pressure is applied to it, it contracts and the synovial fluid is “squeezed out” of the cartilage. When pressure is not applied, the cartilage, like a sponge, absorbs new fluid. Maintaining this process is essential for the health of your joints.
If a person suffering from arthrosis of the knee joint is overweight, then it is necessary to get rid of it, since extra pounds create additional stress on the inflamed joint. Moderate physical activity will help with this.
Arthritis is an inflammatory disease of the joints. With arthritis, a person experiences pain during active movements, flexion and extension, as well as when walking if the joints of the legs are inflamed. Sometimes the skin over the sore joint begins to turn red, and a local increase in temperature or general fever is observed.
If one joint is affected, then the disease is called “monoarthritis,” and if several joints are involved in the process, then it is “polyarthritis.” If the disease is not treated, then over time all joint tissues will be affected: bones, cartilage, ligaments, tendons, surrounding muscles, bursa, synovium. The disease can occur suddenly, in which case doctors call acute arthritis, or develop over time, slowly progressing (chronic arthritis).
If we look at the statistics, then every person over the age of 65 is at risk. Among pensioners, the number of people suffering from this pathology is about 60%. Doctors claim that this figure does not reflect the true state of affairs: if each patient presented them with his complaints, and did not try to treat the disease on his own, the arthritis statistics in Russia would look even sadder. But don’t think that arthritis is exclusively a disease of old age. It can affect people at a younger age and even children. It all depends on the reasons causing pathological changes in the joints.
It is believed that tens of millions of people around the world suffer from symptoms of arthritis, and according to recent research, this number is increasing every year. Some experts claim that every third person on our planet will experience some form of arthritis at least once in their life.
Arthritis, like any other disease, has a number of symptoms.
Depending on the causes of arthritis, its symptoms may vary:
Reactive arthritis is characterized by weakness and malaise. This is how the disease manifests itself at the initial stage. Sometimes headaches occur, and body temperature can reach 38 degrees. Reactive arthritis can be distinguished by a characteristic feature - the joints of the legs are affected asymmetrically, and this happens after signs nonspecific to the disease disappear. In parallel, symptoms of inflammation of the genitourinary system (burning sensation during urination) and conjunctivitis may appear;
Rheumatoid arthritis manifests itself in the fact that the joints are affected symmetrically. They become swollen and inflamed. The pain intensifies at night, closer to waking up. In the afternoon it almost completely disappears. At the beginning of the development of the disease, a person often escapes from unpleasant sensations by performing physical exercises. But the more the disease progresses, the less effective this method becomes. After arthritis affects small joints, it will move to large ones, and characteristic nodes will begin to form. They are small dense formations localized at the bend of the joints. Throughout the illness, the person experiences general malaise, loss of appetite, and weakness. During periods of exacerbation, an increase in body temperature is observed. Sometimes symptoms such as numbness of the upper and lower extremities, chest pain during breathing, inflammation of the salivary glands, as well as photophobia and pain in the eyes are added;
Infectious arthritis has an acute onset with characteristic signs of intoxication of the body. Body temperature rises to high values, the disease is accompanied by chills, headache and muscle pain. Nausea and vomiting may sometimes occur, but this symptom is more common in young children. The joint that is affected by the disease swells and its shape changes. The pain intensifies during movement and can radiate to nearby parts of the body. A person tries to take a position in which it is easier for him to endure unpleasant sensations. The skin warms up around the sore joint. If in people of retirement age the symptoms are blurred, then in children they appear more clearly. The disease develops rapidly;
A gout attack most often occurs at night. The disease can be triggered by either eating large amounts of meat or alcohol. In most cases, the first joints of the big toes are affected. But sometimes the disease affects the knee or even the elbow. It is impossible to touch the inflamed area, as the person experiences severe pain, which is accompanied by swelling and redness of the skin. The body temperature remains normal, the attack passes as suddenly as it began. The total duration of a gout attack is several days;
Psoriatic arthritis is characterized by the gradual development of the disease, swelling at the site of the lesion and a local increase in temperature. Red spots appear on the skin and scalp, which cause discomfort in the form of itching and flaking. The nail plates are also simultaneously affected and begin to split. Any joint can be affected by this type of arthritis, but the fingers are most often affected. At the same time, they thicken and resemble sausages in shape. Pain does not appear in the initial stages of the disease, and if it is present, it is only in the morning;
Osteoarthritis occurs when the joints become ill very slowly and gradually as the disease progresses. A crunching sound is also a characteristic feature. Both the joints of the limbs and the spinal column are affected;
Traumatic arthritis develops like osteoarthritis. The symptoms are the same - pain, swelling and crunching in the place where the inflammatory process began.
Although the exact cause of arthritis has not yet been determined, some doctors say that arthritis can also be caused by infection, injury, or allergies. But besides this, arthritis can be caused by metabolic disorders, diseases of the nervous system, or even simply a lack of vitamins. The most common cause remains infectious diseases.
Impaired immunity leads to the development of persistent arthritis and joint destruction. Autoimmune arthritis can occur after infections, but the microbes themselves are only indirect culprits of the disease. Pathogenesis occurs as a result of a malfunction in the body's immune system: the immune system begins to attack cells affected and altered by the infection. First, the hands suffer, and then all other joints. And if a person does not receive appropriate treatment, he may become disabled for life.
Depending on the type and origin, the following causes of arthritis can be distinguished:
Infections when harmful bacteria, fungi or viruses enter the body. Against this background, a natural defense called immunity is activated. But if its operation malfunctions, substances designed to fight pathogenic organisms begin to destroy healthy cells and attack joints;
Various types of joint injuries are also often considered to be the cause of the disease;
Professional sports or constant excessive stress on the joints can trigger arthritis. For example, basketball players suffer from ankles, tennis players suffer from wrists, and massage therapists suffer from finger joints;
Excess body weight;
Diseases of the nervous system;
Malfunctions of the endocrine system. In particular, hormonal changes in a woman’s body during menopause;
Vitamin deficiency and poor nutrition;
Insect bites (when biological poison enters the joint cavity);
The further the pathological process progresses, the more severe the disease becomes. To determine the progression of arthritis, it is customary to distinguish several degrees. Each of them has its own characteristics. It is possible to understand exactly what stage the disease is at only with the help of x-ray examination.
The initial stage (grade 1) can often be completely asymptomatic; it is characterized by infection of the body.
Signs of arthritis that you should pay attention to yourself:
Some stiffness of movement. It is especially easy to notice such manifestations in the morning. It can be difficult for a person to perform such a basic action as turning a water tap or gas valve. In medicine, there is even such a term as “glove symptom,” when there is inactivity in the hands and fingers;
If the ankle joint is suffering, then a sign such as the inability to put your foot in your usual shoes will help to suspect the onset of the disease. She becomes unusually tight. This makes it possible to notice the presence of edema, which could otherwise be ignored. When trying to flex and straighten the ankle joint, a person may experience pain. The sensations are not constant, they appear periodically. However, already at this stage they can lead to the patient often experiencing malaise and severe fatigue;
If a person suffers from psoriatic arthritis, then the pain will occur mainly at night, disappearing by the morning;
When the disease affects the shoulder or knee joint, the discomfort quickly passes, so a person most often attributes it to excessive fatigue due to increased load, as well as age;
Arthritis at the initial stage is almost always detected on time in young patients, since the signs of the disease in children are that usually active children begin to refuse to run, stop participating in outdoor games, and fall while walking;
If a person at this stage complains to a doctor, then the treatment of the disease is successful. An X-ray examination shows that there are signs of inflammation of the joint.
The second degree of the disease is characterized by the onset of pathological processes, which are expressed in the occurrence of erosions on the bone.
The tissues of the joints continue to thin, in addition, signs of second-degree arthritis are:
The appearance of swelling near the affected joint, which is difficult to ignore. If your fingers are affected, then while making movements you can hear a distinct crunch, more like a crack;
When the knee joint is affected, grade 2 arthritis makes itself felt by reddened and hot skin around the sore spot. Unpleasant sensations bother a person more and more, manifesting themselves to a greater extent in the morning;
In addition to crunching and swelling, pain occurs in the arthritic ankle joint, which appears at night;
Stage 2 hip arthritis is often difficult to diagnose. This is due to the fact that pain can radiate to the knee, causing a person to limp while walking;
Understanding that arthritis has affected the shoulder joint at stage 2 is not as problematic as in the case of coxitis. In addition to the main signs, it is difficult for a person to raise his hand or reach high objects;
The disease caused by gout is manifested by painful sensations at night;
If the cause of the development of the disease is psoriasis, then the patient who has entered stage 2 of arthritis will be tormented by swelling localized on the thumbs and toes. This is due to the fact that it is in such places that uric acid salts accumulate. The appearance of swelling in arthritis of a different nature is explained by the fact that a large amount of synovial fluid is formed in the affected joint. This is the body's natural response to inflammation, especially in rheumatoid arthritis;
Most patients decide to visit a doctor for the first time at this stage.
The third degree of the disease is characterized by the following symptoms:
X-ray examination shows severe deformation of the affected joint;
Often a person at this stage is assigned a disability;
Mobility is limited, it is difficult for the patient to move if the lower part of the body is damaged;
Hand movements are performed with great difficulty. It becomes difficult for the patient to perform even basic self-care actions. The hands are affected symmetrically;
Pain haunts a person even when he is at rest;
Due to muscle spasm caused by pain, the limbs are fixed in the wrong position. This ultimately leads to even greater deformation of the joints.
The last, 4th degree, is characterized by the fact that the changes that have occurred in the bones and joints become irreversible.
The features of this stage of the disease are as follows:
Arthritis of the ankle joint leads to the patient being unable to move independently;
When the knee joint is damaged, muscle contractures form around it;
Lack of mobility in the joint due to the formation of adhesions inside it is the result of arthritis affecting the hip part of the leg. Doctors call this condition fibrous or bony ankylosis;
Pain becomes a constant companion of a person. Its intensity forces the patient to constantly take painkillers.
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If you only have pain in one joint, it is called monoarthritis. But, unfortunately, polyarthritis, a disease of several joints, is more common. Arthritis develops either quickly with sudden pain, in which case it is called acute, or gradually, in which case it is called chronic arthritis. There are several types of arthritis; in medicine there are about ten of them.
Each type of disease has its own characteristics and causes:
Infectious or purulent arthritis develops when an infection enters the body, which causes inflammation. There are primary and secondary pathologies. The cause of the first type of arthritis is most often a wound, and the cause of the second is the penetration of infection from the blood or nearby tissues. This type includes gonorrheal, gonococcal, tuberculosis, dysentery, chlamydial, viral, post-streptococcal arthritis;
Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune disease affecting connective tissues and joints in an erosive-destructive manner. This type of arthritis can sometimes spread to internal organs. With rheumatoid arthritis, in 70% of cases the patient becomes disabled. This is a very serious disease with an etiology that has not been fully studied; it mainly occurs in people in middle and older age (40-50 years), in women three times more often than in men;
Juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, also called Still's disease, is a pathology that affects children under the age of 16 years. The causes are unknown, the nature of the disease is chronic, constantly progressive. In some patients, internal organs also suffer, which leads to disability and sometimes death of the child;
Gouty arthritis develops as a result of deposits of uric acid, which collects in the joint cavity. Uric acid is not excreted from the body, does not dissolve in the blood, but crystallizes and accumulates near the joints, which leads to pain and inflammation;
Osteoarthritis has a degenerative-destructive nature. The gradual destruction of cartilage tissue leads to increased pain, then the shape of the joint changes, and bone growths appear. The disease is dangerous because with it, bones and cartilage that have undergone destruction will no longer be able to recover on their own;
Arthritis caused by a previous injury is called “traumatic”. A damaged joint may not bother a person for a long time. The pain and swelling that occurs immediately after a bruise subside after a certain time, and one can assume that this will all end. However, after a few years, the joint may become inflamed and painful again, and bone tissue will be destroyed. The only thing that can be done to avoid such an illness is to be extremely careful and try not to get injured, and if this happens, carry out adequate treatment;
Rheumatism of the joints is a chronic connective tissue disease primarily affecting the heart and joints. Its etiology is also unclear, as are the causes of the development of rheumatoid arthritis;
Arthrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the joints, in which primary damage to cartilage tissue occurs, followed by an inflammatory reaction, therefore it is often called arthrosis-arthritis. This disease is less life-threatening than rheumatoid arthritis, but osteoarthritis is the most common among all joint diseases and undermines the health of millions of people around the world.
Depending on the type of arthritis, there are certain risk groups of people who are most likely to get one or another form of it:
Osteoarthritis is more likely to affect people who put too much stress on their joints. For example, teachers, salespeople, surgeons and hairdressers are at risk of developing osteoarthritis of the spine. Football players are more likely to suffer from hip joints, while boxers are more likely to suffer from hand joints. This includes those who are committed to smoking, as well as people with excess body weight;
Men over 65 years of age are at greater risk of developing gouty arthritis. This also includes people with high blood pressure, those who are overweight, those who drink alcohol to excess, and those who have kidney dysfunction;
Women and those people who have already had a history of developing this disease in their family are at greater risk of acquiring rheumatoid arthritis;
If we talk about people who suffer from infectious arthritis more often than others, this group includes those who are diagnosed with HIV or gonorrhea. Often infectious arthritis torments people with cancer, diabetes and lupus erythematosus;
Professional athletes suffer more from traumatic arthritis. Regularly forming microcracks in the joints cause them to become inflamed.
In order to accurately make a diagnosis and determine the type of disease, an integrated approach is required, which includes examination, obtaining laboratory data and instrumental diagnostic methods.
If you have symptoms of arthritis, you should visit doctors such as a traumatologist, rheumatologist, infectious disease specialist, phthisiatrician and dermatologist. Each specialist will conduct a conversation with the patient, during which a detailed medical history will be collected. After an oral interview, the doctor will examine the affected joint, test it for sensitivity, and determine the degree of mobility and muscle tone. Only after this the patient will be sent to the laboratory to undergo the necessary tests.
Based on specific blood parameters, the doctor will be able to make a preliminary diagnosis:
A complete blood count is done to determine the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR). If the disease is in the acute stage, the indicator will be increased. In bacterial arthritis, the number of leukocytes increases, and in allergic arthritis, the number of eosinophils increases;
A biochemical blood test is done to determine the level of uric and sialic acids (an increase is typical for arthritis caused by gout), as well as fibrogen (which indicates the presence of inflammation);
Immunological indicators will make it possible to suspect rheumatoid arthritis if the rheumatoid factor, the number of antinuclear and other antibodies, as well as circulating immune complexes are increased.
The following diagnostic techniques are used as instrumental research methods for arthritis:
Carrying out an X-ray examination, sometimes in several projections: direct, lateral and oblique. This method is the main one for determining the stage of arthritis, as well as its type. X-rays help to see joint damage, inflammatory processes affecting bone tissue, possible neoplasms and degenerative changes;
Ultrasound diagnostics is an auxiliary method in determining this disease. Most often, ultrasound is used to examine the extent of damage to large joints: shoulder, knee, elbow;
Computed tomography allows you to see the joint in several sections, both transverse and longitudinal. Also, using this method, you can determine the condition of soft tissues;
MRI gives a clear picture. Using this method, you can examine the condition of bone structures and soft tissues in more detail. Magnetic resonance imaging is more often used if there is damage to the intervertebral discs, nerve structures, ligaments, etc.;
Arthroscopy is an invasive endoscopic diagnostic method. It is used to study the condition of the knee joint. Sometimes during this study, a biopsy of the affected tissues, as well as joint fluid, is performed for their subsequent study;
Using contrast arthrography, the condition of the cartilage tissue, as well as the soft tissues surrounding the joint, is studied. Contraindications are acute arthritis and sensitivity to iodine preparations;
Myelography allows you to study the condition of the spine, as well as the spinal cord and its roots. Used in conjunction with CT.
The sooner you start treating arthritis, the more effective it will be. This is due to the fact that the first and second stages of the disease are not characterized by a pronounced degree of joint deformation. It is worth considering that therapy must be comprehensive; taking medications alone will not lead to a complete cure for the disease. You should not self-medicate. If you wish, you can use any folk remedy, but you must consult a specialist in advance. Only a rheumatologist can competently draw up a treatment regimen for arthritis.
Complex therapy consists of the following steps:
For infectious arthritis, the patient will be prescribed a course of antibiotics. They are selected based on the sensitivity of the pathogen to a particular drug. These may be aminoglycosides, penicillins or cephalosporins. If the stage is acute, then therapy will be carried out in a hospital setting. Sometimes immobilization of the limb and bed rest are required for a short period of time. If infectious arthritis has developed due to unsuccessful endoprosthetics, then the prosthesis must be removed. If the arthritis is purulent, then arthrocentesis will be required, performed daily. If arthritis is caused by viruses, then it is advisable to use NSAIDs; if it is caused by fungi, then antifungal agents are used;
Various ointments, gels and creams based on NSAIDs (most often diclofenac) help relieve pain in any arthritis. If arthritis affects the joints of the hands or feet, wearing dog hair products can reduce inflammation. This recommendation does not belong to the category of traditional methods of treating the disease. Doctors often advise their patients to use a similar method;
Chondroprotective drugs are used as agents aimed at restoring cartilage tissue. Among them are Alflutop, Arthra, Artradol, Glucosamine, etc.;
Surgical intervention. It is used when the joint is completely destroyed, or when antibiotics are unable to cope with the inflammation. The diseased joint is removed and a prosthesis is placed in its place;
Courses of restorative massage, physiotherapy, mud therapy and other auxiliary techniques are individually selected.
Separately, it is worth noting physical therapy as a way to treat arthritis.
A properly selected complex will contribute to:
Pain sensations will decrease;
Bone tissue will be restored;
The endurance of diseased joints will increase;
Atrophied muscles will return to tone.
For patients with arthritis, specialized exercise therapy complexes have been developed that are aimed at developing flexibility and strength. They are necessarily supplemented with aerobic exercises. Some patients may feel that such a load is too great for a person with sore joints. However, this is not quite true. Firstly, you should start exercising during remission, and secondly, the complex is selected individually, taking into account the degree of damage to the joints. Regular exercise gives an amazing effect.
It is impossible to treat arthritis without a well-designed diet.
In order to support sore joints, you should include the following food groups in your diet:
Vegetables, roots and fruits. All foods rich in coarse fiber and vitamins. Heat treatment should be kept to a minimum;
Milk and all its derivatives: sour cream, cottage cheese, kefir, fermented baked milk, etc.;
A wide variety of cereals;
Fish, poultry and sometimes lean meat.
In fact, dieting for arthritis is not particularly difficult. But it is impossible to do without restrictions. You need to minimize or completely remove fatty meats, salt and sugar from your table, as well as legumes, shellfish, offal and alcoholic beverages. Obviously, there are not many restrictions, but they must be observed. Often, in addition to the standard set of products, doctors recommend vitamin complexes. But the doctor must choose and prescribe them.
To successfully treat arthritis, it is important to control your body weight. If you have extra pounds, then you need to get rid of them first. Since any treatment regimen will be ineffective when the joints are subjected to excessive stress.
Of course, it is possible to use traditional methods, but you must adhere to the important principle - do no harm. Only in this case will the treatment of arthritis be completed successfully. It is worth understanding that it will not be possible to completely get rid of rheumatoid arthritis, but by following your doctor’s recommendations, you can slow down the progression of the disease.
The symptoms of different types of arthritis are more or less similar. Signs of arthritis include pain in the inflamed area, redness, heat over the inflamed joint, stiffness, and difficulty moving. You may have to deal with other troubles, such as fatigue, weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, and fever. In some cases, patients may encounter difficulties with walking and household self-care.
Men and women are equally often affected by this disease. Although it is common among adults, in some cases young people are also susceptible to arthritis. A recent statistical report stated that more than 1.3 million Americans suffer from this disease, and most of them are women.
Various anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation and pain. It is best to combine drug therapy and therapeutic exercises during treatment. Therapeutic massage can reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. According to statistics, arthritis shortens life by about 10 years, but is rarely a direct cause of death. To date, unfortunately, there are no drugs that can completely cure rheumatoid arthritis.
Author of the article: Muravitsky Igor Valerievich, rheumatologist