The most loaded joint in the human body is the knee. That is why he suffers more often than others from various diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Arthrosis of the knee joint 1st degree (gonarthrosis) is a progressive pathology of a destructive nature. Without appropriate treatment, the disease can lead to complete immobility of the limb, as the joint usually completely collapses or grows together.
Gonarthrosis of the knee joint can be caused by the following factors:
Diagnosis of first-degree gonarthrosis involves finding out the exact cause of the disease, which will allow prescribing adequate and effective treatment.
To treat and prevent diseases of the BACK and JOINTS, our readers use the increasingly popular method of rapid and non-surgical treatment, recommended by leading orthopedists. After carefully reviewing it, we decided to offer it to your attention.
With the 1st degree of development of gonarthrosis of the knee joint, you may not pay attention to the signs, since they are less pronounced. Most often, the patient simply attributes this condition to fatigue or excessive physical activity. However, the sooner the signs are identified, the faster treatment and restoration of the joint will begin.
So, we can identify the following symptoms of pathology:
In the first degree, the pathology is characterized by a small amount of destruction, so the symptoms are not very pronounced, and the patient does not go to the doctor. However, earlier treatment of gonarthrosis allows you to completely restore the functionality of the knee joint and prevent further destructive processes. Although the disease cannot be completely cured. It can be significantly slowed down.
Important! After the first signs of gonarthrosis have been identified, treatment of the pathology can begin.
Despite the fact that gonarthrosis cannot be completely cured, therapy should be carried out only after a thorough diagnosis. It provides for the following actions:
For the treatment of first-degree gonarthrosis, the following medications are used:
It will take quite a long time to treat initial degree arthrosis of the knee joint, so all medications must be designed for long-term use. In this case, medications should only be prescribed by a doctor.
The joint can recover normally only if the physical activity on it is dosed. Otherwise, the cartilage will wear out faster. Therefore, gonarthrosis requires avoiding long walks, carrying large heavy objects, and climbing stairs.
Physical therapy exercises must be performed smoothly, and movements should be made without putting unnecessary stress on the sore leg. Important! None of the physical therapy exercises should be accompanied by pain. In the first stages of treatment, exercises can be performed for no more than 10 minutes a day. However, further, the duration of physical activity gradually increases to half an hour.
The complex may consist of just a few exercises:
Even with the first degree of arthrosis of the joint, you cannot bend and straighten your knees, squats, or walk a lot.
Since grade 1 arthrosis of the knee joint can be caused by large body weight, it must be reduced. Even a slight weight loss will reduce discomfort in the knees and reduce the intensity of pain. Naturally, to lose weight you need to follow a certain diet.
For example, high-calorie foods, sour fruits and juices, whole milk, fatty meats and fish should be excluded from the diet. In addition, you need to follow these recommendations:
You can try to cure the presented disease using folk remedies. Naturally, they should be used only after consulting a doctor. The following recipes may be useful:
Despite the fact that the disease in the first stage causes virtually no physical discomfort, it can be fraught with serious consequences. Therefore, it is better to try to prevent the disease.
To do this, it is advisable to take preventive measures:
Such measures help maintain normal functionality of the joint. That's all the features of the pathology. Be healthy!
Arthrosis is a degenerative-dystrophic disease of the joints, which develops as a result of damage to cartilage tissue and joints. Arthrosis affects 10-15% of all people on the planet. With age, the incidence increases significantly, reaching 30-35% of elderly residents.
Arthrosis develops under the influence of both mechanical and biological factors that disrupt the formation of joint cartilage and subarachnoid bone.
Heredity plays a significant role in the development of arthrosis. If parents have this disease, then with a high degree of probability children will also have it, especially if there are negative factors such as excess weight, metabolic disorders and uneven loads on the joints.
Initially, due to a decrease in the volume of joint fluid, joint dysfunction occurs. When moving, the patient begins to feel pain in the affected joint. Typically, such pain occurs after intense physical work and goes away after rest. Later the pain begins to bother me at night. Inflammation of the soft tissues surrounding the joint occurs, which can cause fluid to accumulate in the joint (effusion).
Due to the destruction of the cartilage layer, bone friction occurs, which leads to a characteristic crunch. Also, with arthrosis, deformation of the joint is possible, resulting in a change in its appearance.
The leading method for diagnosing arthrosis is radiography. Specific radiological signs of the disease are narrowing of the joint space, the appearance of osteophytes and flattening of the articular surfaces. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging are also possible.
A laboratory blood test shows an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. It is possible to detect the disease in the early stages using synovial fluid analysis. It is also possible to conduct histological analysis of the biopsy specimen.
Arthrosis can be primary and secondary. Primary arthrosis develops due to naturally developing changes that occur with age. Moreover, depending on the hereditary predisposition, the disease may develop earlier or later.
Secondary arthrosis develops as a result of injuries and can occur at any age.
Also, depending on the affected joint, arthrosis of the hip, knee, elbow, shoulder and other joints, and spondyloarthrosis (arthrosis of the spine) are distinguished.
If characteristic symptoms occur, you should refrain from physical activity and consult a doctor. At an early stage, the progression of arthrosis can be stopped or significantly slowed down.
At the initial stage, treatment of arthrosis consists of taking chondroprotectors (Teraflex) and vitamin-mineral complexes. It is important for the patient to regularly perform physical therapy and also monitor their diet.
Treatment of stage 2-3 arthrosis consists of relieving pain, eliminating the inflammatory process and slowing down degenerative processes in cartilage tissue. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics are used to relieve pain and inflammation. In some cases, intravenous corticosteroids are indicated. To activate regenerative processes in cartilage tissue, chondroprotectors and vasodilators are prescribed. Exercise therapy and physiotherapy are also indicated.
At the fourth stage of the disease, the joint is almost destroyed. In this case, a surgical operation is performed to install an endoprosthesis. Such a prosthesis allows the patient to resume an active life and get rid of pain.
The most serious complication of arthrosis is the complete destruction of cartilage, which can result in complete loss of joint mobility. The only solution in this case is prosthetics.
Osteoarthritis of one joint can disrupt the biomechanics of the spine and other joints, leading to herniated discs and arthrosis of other joints.
Prevention of arthrosis comes down to avoiding injuries and excessive stress on the joints. In this case, weight control is important. Excess weight is a constant load on the joints. To prevent the development of arthrosis, rhythmic movements, such as race walking or skiing, will be useful. Timely treatment of endocrine diseases and proper nutrition minimize the likelihood of developing arthrosis.
Arthrosis of the joints - symptoms and treatment of the disease are useful for everyone to know. This disorder is one of the most common in the group of musculoskeletal diseases. Statistics say that 10 - 12% of the world's inhabitants suffer from arthrosis. This figure is likely to rise as more people become older. And this disease most often occurs in those who have crossed the 50-year mark.
Many people do not see the difference between arthritis and arthrosis, but distinguishing between the diseases is not difficult. The main symptoms of arthrosis are pain and joint deformation. In some cases, the disease may be accompanied by swelling, which occurs due to the fact that fluid is not normally removed from the joint cavity.
Often with arthrosis a crunching sound in the joints , and this is a very specific sound - quite loud and rough. The more advanced the disease, the stronger the crunch will be. If you know arthrosis of the joints well - symptoms and treatment , then it will be easier to overcome the disease.
Why does arthrosis occur ? As is the case with other pathologies, there is no consensus among doctors on this matter. According to one version, arthrosis is caused by deterioration of tissue nutrition in the epiphysis (the part of the bone that forms the joint). Knowing this, you can understand why the full name of this disease is osteoarthritis.
It is also believed that arthrosis is closely related to osteoporosis . According to a number of scientists, when resorption (absorption) of bone tissue begins, the mineral matrix is removed through the cartilage tissue, deforming it.
The following risk factors are identified: old age, hormonal imbalance, metabolic disorders, hypothermia and injury. In the latter case, the disease often occurs in athletes, as well as people performing heavy physical work - loaders, builders. A sedentary lifestyle and excess weight also pave the way for the disease.
The mechanism of development of osteoarthritis is well studied. During the course of the disease, cartilage tissue is destroyed, and the production of synovial fluid, which nourishes the joint, decreases. Then the cartilage layer wears out and the bones begin to rub against each other. If the disease is not treated, you may remain disabled. Therefore, the symptoms and treatment of the disease.
Do you feel severe pain in your joint? Don't waste your precious time - hurry to the doctor! Only timely therapy will help stop the disease. Be prepared for the treatment to be lengthy. At the same time, you won’t be able to get by with tablets and gels alone. You will need physical therapy and physiotherapy. It is also necessary to reduce the load on the joint.
What to do if you are diagnosed with arthrosis of the joints? The symptoms and treatment are well known. First you need to relieve the pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually prescribed for this . But they cannot be used for a long time, it is harmful to the heart and stomach. When the pain has subsided, it's time to think about restoring cartilage tissue. If this is not done, the pain syndrome will return.
To restore the cartilage or chondrocyte layer, doctors prescribe drugs - chondroprotectors . Basically, these medicines include two components: glucosamine and chondroitin, which can be used separately or together in the preparations. The most famous products in this series: Artra and Teraflex.
At the same time, there are a large number of opponents of these drugs in the medical community. For example, among them is the famous doctor and TV presenter Elena Malysheva. In her opinion, chondroprotectors of this type are ineffective.
Sometimes your joints hurt so much that you don’t want to think about anything else. What should I do? A natural remedy has been found - dandelion officinalis . The roots of the plant are especially useful for cartilage tissue. The glycoside taraxacin , contained in the roots of the sunflower, gives strength to the joints. It affects chondrocyte cells, as a result they begin to multiply. Dandelion substances also have a beneficial effect on the liver, which improves all metabolic processes in the body.
The Parapharm company produces a natural remedy for joints, Dandelion P. This is an excellent herbal chondroprotector . Thanks to cryo-processing, the dietary supplement retains all the beneficial properties of the raw material. It is also recommended to use the drug Osteomed, which acts on the bones that form the joint. They begin to grow osteocytes and improve metabolism.
Also arthrosis of the joints, the symptoms and treatment of which, you now know, Dihydroquercetin Plus helps to stop. This drug improves blood circulation in the tissues adjacent to the joint. As a result, dead bone and cartilage cells are removed.
The combined use of these three dietary supplements gives an excellent effect - the growth of cartilage tissue begins and arthrosis recedes. This is an affordable and reliable way to maintain healthy joints for many years!
Osteoarthritis is degenerative changes in cartilage and joints. Most often the disease affects the fingers. The lining of the joints thickens and fluid accumulates in them.
With arthrosis, osteophytes or growths form on the phalanges of the fingers . Pathology is usually classified as a hereditary disease; the disease usually manifests itself among the female population.
Ladies get sick 10 times more often than men. Usually the thumb becomes inflamed (arthrosis of the thumb joint - see the video at the end of the article). At the first signs of illness, you should consult a doctor.
Osteoarthritis of the finger joints, if left untreated, can cause serious complications, including complete loss of function of the fingers. Here are some signs:
To avoid complications, it is recommended to consult an orthopedist, surgeon or rheumatologist , who will determine the stage and prescribe appropriate treatment.
To diagnose arthrosis of the fingers, the patient is examined by a doctor, and the areas of concern are palpated. To make a more accurate diagnosis, an x-ray and blood test are performed. The finished images clearly show bone deformation. If the blood test is different from the norm and discrepancies are identified, then the doctor may assume the emergence of other, more serious diseases. Arthrosis of the fingers - photo:
In the first stages, the disease is practically asymptomatic. But there is a group of signs that indicate the onset of the disease. Among them are the following symptoms :
At this stage of the disease, the nutrition of the cartilage is disrupted, and the tissues lose their elasticity . The movements of the fingers are not yet impaired, their functions are preserved.
At the second stage, the following picture develops:
At the final stage of arthrosis, the fingers lose motor activity. The joints become deformed and lose activity. Patients are plagued by constant and intense pain, which can be relieved with painkillers.
Attention ! The pathology is treated by a rheumatologist, orthopedist or arthrologist.
Arthrosis of the fingers is considered a pathology of older people, while arthrosis of large joints (hip or shoulder) is usually found among the middle-aged population.
In recent years, arthrosis in the hands has become more common among relatively young people.
The main factors influencing the development of pathology include:
Attention ! If you have a genetic predisposition to the disease, you should regularly engage in prevention, since the likelihood of the disease is high.
There are three stages of disease development.
At the first stage, the joints remain mobile, the symptoms are very minor. Even an x-ray still does not show changes in the joints. When examining the fingers, the doctor visually identifies irregularities and tubercles in the interphalangeal space.
At the second stage, the progression of the disease begins . The muscle tissue atrophies and the joint becomes deformed. The x-ray shows bone growths, osteophytes and irregularities. The joint space narrows significantly. Fingers lose a number of their functions. Heberden's nodes appear on the upper phalanges, and Bouchard's nodes on the middle phalanges.
by pronounced changes in the joints . Motor skills are impaired, sometimes even complete immobilization of the hand occurs. The articular surfaces of cartilage can grow together.
Classic drug therapy consists of several stages:
Attention! After the pain has been relieved, you can use warming ointments: “Capsicam”, “Apizartron”, rubbing camphor alcohol has a beneficial effect. They accelerate blood circulation in the affected area.
Preventive measures include the following:
A healthy diet during illness improves overall well-being and is aimed at restoring cartilage tissue. You cannot go on strict diets; nutrition must be correct and balanced.
In addition, it is recommended to take a mineral-vitamin complex. The basic principles of nutrition for arthrosis of the fingers include:
Maintaining a diet along with drug treatment improves the condition and promotes the patient’s recovery.
Dr. Nikolai Karpinsky talks in accessible language about the treatment of arthrosis of the thumb:
Arthrosis is a disease in which cartilage tissue is destroyed. The disease usually affects the joints of the fingers. With timely treatment, stable remission can be achieved, but it is necessary to consult a doctor in time and regularly take a course of vitamins. If there is a genetic predisposition to arthrosis, then you should take chondoprotectors several times a year.
Health, when it is there, you don’t feel it. But as soon as painful symptoms appear, the world around us often turns upside down. The sick person plunges headlong into the disease and gets lost in search of the necessary information and specialist. And if earlier it was almost impossible to get answers to your questions without endless consultations with specialists, today, thanks to our website, this is available to everyone.
Joint health is a mirror of a person’s lifestyle and habits.
For convenience, we used classification according to the location of the source of the disease. As the search deepens, the site is able to provide information about treatment methods, both at home and in a hospital setting, and the prevention of complications and severe consequences.
Joints are formations that allow you to have plenty of freedom of movement. And, as soon as they are constrained by illness, they immediately feel their inferiority.
Most often, joint diseases affect athletes, people leading an active lifestyle, including children, as well as those who neglect a healthy lifestyle.
Today, the percentage of all kinds of congenital pathologies associated with dysplasias and chondropathy is increasing, which is again associated with the living conditions of modern man.
The entire palette of joint damage fits into a rather meager picture: pain, limited mobility, but if you do not give it due importance, any of the joint diseases can lead to disability.
Our website describes joint diseases and their treatment:
The development of arthrosis in the civilized world has reached unprecedented levels. This is due to the increase in predisposing factors, the first of which is obesity. Therefore, this disease is highlighted especially on our website. You will be able to find out how arthrosis develops, its stages, treatment methods, including information about prosthetics, exercises for prevention and recovery, the topic of treating arthrosis at home is touched upon, because independent methods of struggle will not be superfluous.
Injuries and diseases of the spine today have become almost the leaders among all other diseases. All population groups are affected! Osteochondrosis is an epidemic of our generation; it is the price to pay for a passive lifestyle.
There is a separate section on the website for this disease. Once a diagnosis has been established and a prognosis for recovery has been drawn up, in addition to the proposed traditional treatment regimens, on our website you can familiarize yourself with additional healing techniques that will allow you to get back on your feet in the shortest possible time.
Without a doubt, there are certain pathological conditions that are more characteristic of childhood and adolescence, such as postural disorders. Or osteoporosis, which most often affects women during menopause.
Diseases of the spine and back include:
Tendons and ligaments are essential components that move our body. Without their participation, not a single strong-willed decision will make even the smallest joint bend.
According to statistics, more and more people began to seek specialized help with epicondylitis and heel spurs. This is due both to better diagnosis of the process and to an increase in the workload on the affected bone-tendon formations. In our time of continuous crises, a person is involved in the work process for an increasingly longer period of time, which affects the health of load-bearing tendons and joints.
And if traditional medicine, after establishing a diagnosis, is not able to boast an arsenal of effective remedies, then on our website you can familiarize yourself with the methods of physical therapy and exercises to relieve tension from the points of interest. In addition, here you can find a sufficient number of recommendations and recipes of traditional medicine.
The following diseases are described on the website:
All publications on the site are written by certified practicing doctors, the recommendations are verified and comply with modern world standards of diagnosis and treatment. You will be able to get the maximum possible information about the problems that have occurred; there is also the possibility of on-line consultation with a specialist; to do this, just leave your question in the comments.
After becoming familiar with your disease, you definitely need to seek help from a specialist. To make searching for specialized clinics simple, we have prepared a catalog with contacts of medical institutions in different parts of our country and the world.
In addition, here you can find information about innovations in the research or treatment of a particular osteo-articular pathology.
We hope that our site will help you maintain and restore your health.
Arthrosis is a joint disease considered dystrophic and associated with the slow destruction of cartilage inside the joint. With arthrosis, over a long period of time, changes occur, restructuring of the articular ends of bones, inflammatory processes occur and degeneration of periarticular tissues occurs. The concept of “arthrosis” also includes a not yet very large group of joint diseases of a degenerative-inflammatory nature, which have different causes of occurrence and similar mechanisms of their development.
Arthrosis is considered the most common joint disease in the world; according to statistics, up to 80% of the world's population suffers from arthrosis to one degree or another. Lesions of this type are very common, and are in third place, after oncology and cardiovascular diseases.
The likelihood of developing arthrosis increases many times with age. The disease equally affects both men and women, with the only exception being arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints, since it is most often seen in women. Arthrosis affects people of working age - from 30 years old, and every year the number of cases is steadily and steadily increasing.
Arthrosis develops due to metabolic disorders in the joint, which in turn leads to the fact that the cartilage begins to lose elasticity. This can be facilitated by the complete or partial loss of proteoglycans from the cartilage; this usually occurs due to rather deep cracks in the cartilage itself. Loss of proteoglycans can also occur for another reason: due to a failure in their production by joint cells.
According to experts, the reasons why articular cartilage may begin to deteriorate can be metabolic disorders, hormonal disorders, decreased blood flow to the joint, hereditary factors, old age, injuries, as well as diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and even psoriasis. And yet, the most common cause of arthrosis is abnormal load on the joints, while the cartilage cannot resist it.
In addition, the following reasons may affect the occurrence and development of arthrosis:
Previous injuries. These can be dislocations, bruises, fractures, ligament ruptures and other injuries.
Metabolic disorders.
Excess body weight, leading to additional stress on the joints.
The inflammatory process in the joints is acute purulent arthritis.
Low quality food.
Autoimmune diseases - lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis.
General intoxication of the body.
Frequent colds.
Bleeding disorder (hemophilia).
Perthes disease is a disorder of the blood supply to the head of the femur.
There are also several genetically determined causes leading to the development of arthrosis:
If we consider arthrosis of the hand and fingers, then scientists have found that the so-called Bouchard and Heberden nodes, as a disease, can be inherited.
Violation of the formation of joints and ligaments in the prenatal period, leading to dysplasia. Against this background, rapid wear of the joint occurs and arthrosis develops.
Type 2 collagen mutations. When disturbances occur in the structure of the fibrillar protein located in the connective tissue, then rapid destruction of cartilage occurs.
Also at risk of getting a disease such as arthrosis in the near future are people whose professions include: bricklayer, miner, fisherman, blacksmith, metallurgist - and other areas of activity associated with increased physical labor.
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A symptom of arthrosis is pain when the joint is loaded, which subsides when the joint is at rest; decreased joint mobility, crunching, feeling of muscle tension in the joint area. Periodically, a joint affected by arthrosis may swell and become deformed over time.
Consider the following 4 large groups of symptoms of arthrosis:
Pain. The presence of pain is the first sign of joint arthrosis. It can be assumed that with any damage, similar sensations arise, but with arthrosis, the pain has some features. Firstly, this is the occurrence of sharp pain or significant discomfort during movements. It will be localized in the place where the diseased joint is located. When a person stops moving and goes into a state of rest, the pain goes away.
At night, a person experiences virtually no unpleasant sensations, except when turning the body over, having found the optimal position, the patient calmly falls asleep. Pain appears during rest only at the stage of progression of the disease; it has some similarities with dental lumbago, when a person cannot fall asleep. They appear closer to the morning - around 5 o'clock.
So, at the beginning there is practically no pain, it can only be felt during load or palpation, over time the person’s suffering intensifies, and the joint requires more and more periods of rest. Then life completely turns into torture - the hyaline cartilage becomes thinner, the bone is exposed, and osteophytes begin to grow. Acute pain torments almost constantly, intensifying even more in bad weather and the full moon.
Crunch. An equally indicative symptom of arthrosis is the presence of a crunching sound. It becomes audible due to the fact that the softness of rotation of the bones in the joint is reduced, they rub against each other, as a result of which a characteristic sound arises. Crunching can be heard in other diseases, and even when the joints are healthy. But it is the arthrosis crunch that is distinguished by its “dry” sound. The more the disease progresses, the brighter the sound becomes. Moreover, if a crunch is heard, pain will also be felt. This is what makes it possible to distinguish the sound made by joints with arthrosis from the usual harmless clicking.
Decreased joint mobility is another characteristic symptom of arthrosis. At the initial stage, this phenomenon does not bother the patient, but with the progression of arthrosis, the germination of bone tumors leads to the fact that the muscles spasm, and the joint space almost completely disappears. This is the cause of immobility of the limbs at the site of the lesion.
Joint deformity. Its modification is caused by the fact that osteophytes grow on the surface of the bones and synovial fluid arrives. Although deformation is one of the most recent symptoms, when arthrosis has already affected the joint to a significant extent.
The course of the disease is characterized by stages of exacerbation and stages of remission. This significantly complicates self-diagnosis of arthrosis, relying only on one’s own sensations. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor for clarification of the diagnosis.
When conducting an x-ray examination, he will be able to detect the following signs that allow him to determine the degree of progression of the disease:
Stage 1 is characterized by the absence of osteophytes, the joint space may be somewhat narrowed.
At stage 2, there is a suspicion of slight narrowing of the gap; osteophytes have already formed.
At stage 3, the narrowing of the gap is clearly visible, there are multiple osteophytes, and the joint begins to deform.
Stage 4 is characterized by an almost complete absence of joint space, multiple osteophytes, and significant deformation.
If arthrosis is not given due attention and is not treated promptly and correctly, this can lead not only to the complete destruction of the diseased joint, but also to a change in the biomechanics of the spine, which can cause herniations in the intervertebral discs and the development of arthrosis in other, still healthy joints. . It is better to avoid complications of joint arthrosis.
The following pathologies are identified as the main complications of arthrosis:
Inability to carry out movements.
Violation of the biomechanics of the spine and other joints.
Herniated intervertebral discs.
Decrease in the patient's standard of living.
It is better to treat diseased joints at an early stage; the treatment itself should be pathogenetic and comprehensive. The essence of treatment is to remove the causes that contribute to the development of this disease; it is also necessary to eliminate inflammatory changes and restore functions that were previously lost.
Complex treatment of arthrosis includes medications that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, and physiotherapeutic procedures that have an analgesic effect on the joints should also be performed. If the treatment is carried out at a sanatorium, it consists of climatic conditions that have a beneficial effect on the joints, as well as the use of mineral waters and mud.
The treatment of arthrosis is based on several basic principles:
Damaged joints should be relieved of excessive stress. If possible, during treatment it should be kept to a minimum.
Following the established orthopedic regimen.
Physical therapy classes.
Completion of a course of physical therapy, which includes magnetic and electrotherapy, shock wave, and laser therapy.
Sanatorium treatment. To do this, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment at specialized resorts once a year, on the recommendation of a doctor.
Saturation of the joint with oxygen, or so-called intra-articular oxygen therapy.
Drug therapy.
Intraosseous blockades, as well as decompression of the metaepiphysis.
A rational approach to nutrition.
Let's take a closer look at drug treatment:
Anti-inflammatory drugs. By approaching the treatment of arthrosis in a comprehensive manner, it is possible to slow down the course of the disease and significantly improve the quality of life. It is worthwhile to dwell in more detail on some points of treatment. In particular, drug therapy includes, at the initial stage, pain relief, as well as the elimination of inflammatory processes occurring in the joints. For this, all doctors use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Experienced doctors do not recommend their oral use, since these drugs significantly irritate the walls of the stomach. Therefore, depending on the drug chosen, either intravenous or intramuscular administration is used. Sometimes NVSP is used as an auxiliary agent in the form of ointments, but their absorption is extremely low, so a significant effect cannot be achieved.
Hormonal corticosteroids. When arthrosis is at the acute stage, it is advisable to take hormonal short-term steroids. They are injected into the joint, using drugs such as hydrocortisone or diprospan. Externally, you can use a special patch, ointment or tincture, which are made from hot pepper.
Chondroprotectors aimed at restoring cartilage and improving the qualitative composition of synovial fluid will also not be superfluous. The most common agents in this group are glucosamine or chondroitin sulfate. The course lasts for quite a long period of time until improvement occurs. However, if the expected effect does not appear within six months of use, the drugs should be discontinued. Also, intra-articularly, along with chondroprotectors, it is advisable to use drugs made on the basis of hyaluronic acid. They contribute to the formation of the membrane of cells responsible for the formation of joint cartilage.
Diacerein. The treatment regimen can be supplemented by taking diacerein, which promotes the regeneration of cartilage tissue. But you should not expect an immediate effect; as a rule, improvements occur two weeks or even a month after the first dose.
If the case is particularly severe, then narcotic analgesics may be prescribed. But they are used extremely rarely, when other means have not brought the desired effect.
It is worthwhile to pay special attention to nutrition during an exacerbation of the disease. There are also certain recommendations here - you should not overeat, as this will contribute to the accumulation of extra pounds, but you should not starve, since the supply of important elements to cartilage will be disrupted. The primary task facing an overweight patient is weight loss. To do this, you simply need to remove fast carbohydrates from your diet; they are found in all flour products and sweets. Alcohol is prohibited, especially beer.
There are absolutely no complaints about fish dishes - you can consume quite a lot of them, naturally, in reasonable quantities. But you should not lean on its too fatty varieties, as they are high in calories, which means the extra pounds will not keep you waiting.
Jellied meat plays an important role in the treatment of arthrosis. Surprisingly, this is the dish that all doctors recommend including in your diet. Such food will be a real storehouse of microelements for sore joints. The most important component in jellied meat is collagen of natural origin. It is absorbed by the body quite quickly and is the basis of any connective tissue. Thanks to regular consumption of jellied meat, you can achieve good results - joints will become more mobile, the tissues lining them will become elastic, and cartilage and bones will gain strength.
Do not forget about the regular intake of vitamins from food. B vitamins are especially relevant for patients with arthrosis. They are responsible for ensuring that metabolism occurs without unnecessary disruptions. And where the metabolism is smooth, the joints feel great. Thanks to thiamine from beans and peas, the synthesis of fats, carbohydrates and proteins will accelerate.
Pyridoxine will help produce hemoglobin. You can “get it” by eating bananas, nuts, cabbage and potatoes. It is worth getting carried away with greens and legumes. They will become a source of folic acid. Liver, mushrooms, dairy products, and eggs will be useful. They are rich in riboflavin. You can, of course, take vitamin complexes, but all the necessary elements are absorbed better from foods, which means the process of cartilage restoration will go faster.
The basic principles of nutrition for arthrosis come down to the following points:
Do not consume heavy food at night, so as not to cause an attack of arthrosis.
Constantly monitor your weight in order to avoid weight gain, and therefore additional stress on sore joints.
When there is no exacerbation of the disease, take walks after eating.
The menu must be balanced and compiled together with the attending physician.
By following the treatment regimen prescribed by the doctor, you can ensure that the disease recedes and the damaged tissue begins to recover.
Author of the article: Kaplan Alexander Sergeevich, traumatologist, orthopedist
Injuries, inadequate physical activity, uncomfortable shoes... There are many reasons why premature development of osteoarthritis of the joints occurs in very young people.
Experts say: in order not to become an early victim of this disease, you need not only to know the causes of its occurrence, but also to take timely measures to prevent it.
With osteoarthritis, in which the destruction of the cartilage tissue covering the surface of the joint, as well as the tissues surrounding it, primarily affects the supporting joints: the hip, knee, spinal joints, as well as the joints of the hands and the first toe.
Those at risk are those whose work involves increased physical activity (especially with performing stereotypical movements, lifting weights) or, conversely, representatives of “sedentary” professions (clerks, programmers), who spend all day in an uncomfortable position. And of course, early arthrosis often occurs in professional athletes. Sometimes even a small sprain of a ligament or bruise of a joint is enough for the development of the disease.
Joints are also subject to serious stress (in the literal sense of the word) in people with excess body weight, in which the risk of developing osteoarthritis increases by as much as 4 times. Flat feet contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, in which not only the posture is disturbed, but also an uneven load on the joints occurs - the knee, ankle, and hip. If at the same time a person also walks in uncomfortable shoes...
It is generally accepted that osteoarthritis manifests itself through pain in the joints. But it is not always the case. At first, joints affected by the disease can simply... crunch, which indicates wear of the interarticular cartilage and the formation of bone growths - osteophytes, which grow on articular surfaces devoid of natural shock absorption.
Problems with the joints can also be indicated by morning stiffness, which lasts no more than 30 minutes and quickly disappears after their activation. Alas, many young people often do not pay attention to this first “bell” of osteoarthritis. They are forced to go to the doctor only by severe, unbearable pain in the affected joints, the peak intensity of which occurs during periods of greatest physical activity and at the end of the day.
Osteoarthritis is also characterized by so-called starting pains, which occur at the beginning of physical activity and disappear when the person moves away.
Experts distinguish four stages of osteoarthritis, which primarily manifests itself as pain and dysfunction of the joints. With grade 1 osteoarthritis, the surface layers of cartilage lose their elasticity, as a result of which they become loose and soft.
With grade 2 osteoarthritis, the surface layer of articular cartilage becomes significantly thinner and microcracks in the cartilage tissue appear.
The 3rd degree of osteoarthritis is characterized by erosive changes in cartilage, the formation of deep cracks and bone growths.
In the 4th degree of osteoarthritis, when deformation of all layers occurs and, in fact, destruction of the articular cartilage occurs, the only salvation remains endoprosthetics (replacement of the destroyed joint with an artificial one). To avoid this, you need to start prevention as early as possible.
The main goal of therapy for the initial stage of osteoarthritis is to stop the process of destruction of articular cartilage, eliminate degenerative processes, minimize the symptoms of the disease and improve the quality of life of the person suffering from it.
Methods for preventing osteoarthritis include: