Arthrosis is a fairly serious joint disease, which can be completely cured only at the first stage. There are many types of arthrosis, and they all have both common and individual symptoms.
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Arthrosis is a degenerative disease in which the process of destruction of cartilage inside the joint occurs. At the same time, cartilage loses its elasticity due to the loss of proteoglycans, they become inflamed, and are destroyed over time.
The causes of this phenomenon can be injuries, abnormal loads on the joints, as well as age or other diseases when arthrosis occurs as a consequence.
There are many varieties of this disease. Classification can occur based on the location of the affected areas and depending on the causes of the disease.
Knee arthrosis is considered one of the most common types of this disease. It affects people over 45 years of age. Predisposing factors in this case are leg injuries, varicose veins and excess weight.
When the hip joints are affected, arthrosis is more difficult to cure, it brings severe discomfort and, unfortunately, also occurs quite often not only among older people, but also among young people.
Damage to the cartilage of the cervical spine is mainly associated with the natural aging of the body, and therefore occurs in people of retirement age.
Arthrosis of the hands and fingers occurs in the phalanges of the fingers or on the hand, causing pain and significantly limiting the range of mobility of the affected areas.
Other types of arthrosis also have their own causes and are localized in other parts of the human body.
As for the second classification, it implies the development of diseases such as primary and secondary arthrosis.
The appearance of the primary type is facilitated by heavy loads, due to which the cartilage in the joints is destroyed. The secondary type of disease is provoked by injuries and other diseases, as a result of which the periarticular tissues are damaged.
Thus, arthrosis provokes inflammation of the cartilage and leads to their deformation.
Depending on the types of the disease, it has its own specific symptoms, but there are certain signs of arthrosis that are characteristic of all its types.
Pain always accompanies this disease, and as the cartilage tissue is destroyed, it may intensify. At first, when arthrosis is only in the first stage, pain appears very rarely and is mild, but as the disease progresses, it becomes stronger.
Typically, pain with arthrosis occurs when moving, that is, for example, if the knees are affected, then pain occurs when walking, squatting and other loads on the legs. But if the patient lies down on the bed and takes a comfortable position for the affected joint, then the pain tends to subside.
Pain manifests itself when moving, as it is caused by inflammatory processes in the joints, but at the third stage of the disease it can torment a person even at rest. This occurs due to poor circulation in the affected areas.
The second sign of arthrosis is a crunching sound, but this symptom should not be confused with the usual clicking of joints, which occurs in almost every person and does not cause discomfort.
Crunching during illness is characterized by a rough and dry sound, it brings pain and severe discomfort. As the disease progresses, the symptom becomes more distinct and painful.
With the development of arthrosis, the mobility of the joints is greatly reduced, this is due to the appearance of various spines, a decrease in the joint space, or due to pain in the joint and muscles. In the first stages of the disease, a person does not feel this symptom so much, but as the disease progresses, the condition worsens.
Since the joint can no longer fully perform its function, it begins to deform. This is manifested by the formation of bone spurs, changes in bone shape, or fluid accumulation.
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Only a specialist can diagnose the disease. To diagnose a disease such as arthrosis, it is necessary to use an integrated approach, which consists of examining the entire body of the patient.
To diagnose a disease, the doctor first interviews the patient to find out what he had previously suffered from and whether he suffered any injuries.
The specialist prescribes an x-ray examination, which can be used to determine the degree of damage to the joints.
Although this method is the leading one in diagnosing the disease, it is not always possible to determine the degree of development of the disease with this examination technique, since in case of severe pain, the image may show slight deformation of bone tissue and vice versa.
Therefore, additional instrumental, laboratory and special examinations are carried out. To examine the joints and get a complete clinical picture, specialists perform magnetic resonance or computed tomography.
But such methods are effective already in the later stages of arthrosis, when the joints begin to deform. To determine the disease at the initial stage of development, it is necessary to examine the functioning of cartilage tissue, the cardiovascular system and the entire organism as a whole in order to establish changes. To do this, doctors perform a biopsy of the articular cartilage by taking a puncture.
Also, if arthrosis is suspected, studies of the human body such as a blood test for sugar levels, a complete blood count and other tests are indicated.
To determine the development of the disease in the early stages, it is necessary to approach its diagnosis comprehensively.
If a person has signs of arthrosis, then treatment should be started immediately. To get rid of the problem or significantly slow down its development, it is necessary to use complex treatment of arthrosis.
Arthrosis is the most common joint disease. According to American doctors, in the United States this disease occurs in approximately 7% of the population. Russian experts voice almost the same figures - according to large-scale studies, 6.43% of Russians suffer from arthrosis. Men and women suffer from arthrosis equally often, but there is a slight predominance of men among young patients, and women among older patients. An exception to the general picture is arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints, which develops in women 10 times more often than in men.
With age, the incidence increases sharply. Thus, according to studies by American doctors, arthrosis is detected in 2% of people under 45 years of age, in 30% of people from 45 to 64 years of age and in 65-85% of people aged 65 years and older. The first place in prevalence is occupied by arthrosis of the small joints of the hand, the first metatarsophalangeal joint, the lumbar and cervical spine, as well as the hip and knee joints. However, arthrosis of the knee, hip, shoulder and ankle joints has the greatest clinical significance due to its negative impact on the standard of living and ability to work of patients.
In some cases, the disease occurs for no apparent reason; such arthrosis is called idiopathic or primary. There is also secondary arthrosis - developed as a result of some pathological process. The most common causes of secondary arthrosis:
Risk factors for developing arthrosis include:
Arthrosis is a polyetiological disease, which, regardless of the specific causes of its occurrence, is based on a violation of the normal formation and restoration of cartilage tissue cells.
Normally, articular cartilage is smooth and elastic. This allows the articular surfaces to move freely relative to each other, provides the necessary shock absorption and thereby reduces the load on the adjacent structures (bones, ligaments, muscles and capsule). With arthrosis, the cartilage becomes rough, and the articular surfaces begin to “cling” to each other during movements. The cartilage becomes more and more disintegrated. Small pieces are separated from it, which fall into the joint cavity and move freely in the joint fluid, injuring the synovial membrane. Small foci of calcification appear in the superficial zones of the cartilage. Areas of ossification appear in the deep layers. In the central zone, cysts are formed, communicating with the joint cavity, around which, due to the pressure of the intra-articular fluid, ossification zones also form.
Due to constant trauma, the capsule and synovial membrane of the joint thicken with arthrosis. Villi appear on the synovial membrane, and foci of fibrous degeneration form in the capsule. Over time, due to the thinning and disruption of the normal form and function of the cartilage, the adjacent surfaces of the bone are deformed, and bony protrusions appear at their edges. Due to the increased load in the ligaments and muscles, foci of fibrous degeneration occur. The likelihood of damage to the ligamentous-muscular system (sprains, tears, ruptures) increases; sometimes the joint “goes” into a state of subluxation. With significant destruction of cartilage, movements are sharply limited, and ankylosis may form.
There are three stages of arthrosis:
Pain is the most constant symptom of arthrosis. The most striking signs of pain with arthrosis are the connection with physical activity and the weather, night pain, starting pain and sudden sharp pain in combination with joint blockade. A certain rhythm of pain in arthrosis is directly related to the load on the joint. With prolonged exercise (walking, running, standing), the pain intensifies and subsides with rest. This is due to a decrease in the ability of cartilage to provide shock absorption during movement. The cause of night pain in arthrosis is venous congestion, as well as increased intraosseous blood pressure. The pain also intensifies under the influence of unfavorable weather factors: high humidity, low temperature and high atmospheric pressure.
The most characteristic sign of arthrosis is starting pain - pain that occurs during the first movements after a state of rest and goes away while maintaining motor activity. The cause of initial pain in arthrosis is detritus - a film of components of destroyed cartilage tissue that settles on the articular surfaces. As a result of movements, detritus moves from the cartilage to the inversions of the joint capsules, so the pain disappears. Blockades are sudden, sharp pain and the inability to move in a joint. They are caused by pinching of a joint mouse, a piece of cartilage or bone lying loosely in the joint cavity. In addition to the listed types of pain, with the development of reactive synovitis in patients with arthrosis, other pain may occur - constant, aching, bursting, independent of movements.
Arthrosis develops gradually, gradually. Initially, patients experience mild, short-term pain without clear localization, which intensifies with physical activity. In some cases, the first symptom is a crunching sound when moving. Many patients with arthrosis note a feeling of discomfort in the joint and transient stiffness during the first movements after a period of rest. Subsequently, the clinical picture is supplemented by night pain and pain due to the weather. Over time, the pain becomes more and more pronounced, and a noticeable limitation of movements occurs. Due to the increased load, the joint on the opposite side begins to hurt.
Periods of exacerbations alternate with remissions. Exacerbations of arthrosis often occur against the background of increased load; with exacerbations, synovitis develops. Due to pain, the muscles of the limb reflexively spasm, and muscle contractures can form. The crunching in the joint becomes more and more constant. At rest, muscle cramps and discomfort appear in the muscles and joints. Due to increasing joint deformation and severe pain, lameness occurs. In the later stages of arthrosis, the deformation becomes even more pronounced, the joint is bent, and movements in it are significantly limited or absent. Support is difficult; when moving, a patient with arthrosis has to use a cane or crutches.
When examining a patient with arthrosis in the early stages, visual changes are not detected. The joint is of normal shape, slight swelling is possible. On palpation, mild or moderate pain is determined. Almost full movement. Subsequently, the deformation becomes more and more noticeable; palpation reveals severe pain, while the patient, as a rule, clearly marks the most painful points. Thickenings are identified along the edge of the joint space. Movements are limited, instability in the joint is detected. A curvature of the limb axis may be detected. With the development of reactive synovitis, the joint is enlarged in volume, has a spherical appearance, and fluctuation is determined by palpation.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of characteristic clinical signs and the X-ray picture of arthrosis. Images of the diseased joint are taken (usually in two projections): for gonarthrosis - radiography of the knee joint, for coxarthrosis - radiography of the hip joint, etc. The X-ray picture of arthrosis consists of signs of dystrophic changes in the area of articular cartilage and adjacent bone. The joint space is narrowed, the bone platform is deformed and flattened, cyst-like formations, subchondral osteosclerosis and osteophytes are detected. In some cases, with arthrosis, signs of joint instability are found: curvature of the limb axis, subluxations.
The severity of clinical manifestations of arthrosis does not always correlate with the severity of radiological signs of the disease. However, certain patterns still exist. Thus, osteophytes occur in the early stages of the disease and are usually the first radiological sign of arthrosis. At first, the edges of the articular surfaces become sharper; as the disease progresses, they become increasingly thicker, eventually forming bone spines and outgrowths. Narrowing of the joint space appears later. In this case, due to instability of the joint, the gap may take on the shape of a wedge. At approximately the same time, osteosclerosis of the subchondral zone of the bone develops, and cyst-like formations appear in the bone tissue adjacent to the joint.
Taking into account radiological signs, specialists in the field of orthopedics and traumatology distinguish the following stages of arthrosis (Kellgren-Lawrence classification):
Sometimes x-rays are not enough to accurately assess the condition of the joint. To study the bone structures, a CT scan of the joint is performed, and an MRI of the joint is performed to assess the condition of the soft tissues. If there is a suspicion of a chronic disease that has caused secondary arthrosis, the orthopedist prescribes consultations with the appropriate specialists: an endocrinologist, hematologist, gynecologist, etc. If it is necessary to carry out a differential diagnosis of arthrosis with rheumatoid diseases, the patient is referred for a consultation with a rheumatologist.
Most often, the joints of the knees suffer from arthrosis, the second most common is arthrosis of the hip joints and joints of the big toes. Much less common is osteoarthritis of the ankle and distal interphalangeal joints located on the fingers (at their ends). Other localizations of this disease are very rare.
The main symptoms of arthrosis can be divided into 4 groups:
1. Pain during movement in damaged joints. In the initial stages, pain symptoms are mild, largely because of this, arthrosis is not paid attention to for a long time. The second stage of the disease is characterized by pain even with minor loads on the joints. And when arthrosis reaches the third stage, pain can torment the patient even at rest, for example, at night. If, in addition to arthrosis, there are cardiovascular diseases, then pain in the affected joints may be associated with changes in the weather.
2. A rough, dry crunch in damaged joints is another characteristic sign of arthrosis. It appears at the initial stage of the disease; in the 2nd and 3rd stages it becomes louder and more distinct. This symptom is associated with friction of worn joint surfaces. It should be noted that if the crunching in the joints is loud and not accompanied by pain, then it should not be included in the symptoms of arthrosis. It is completely harmless and does not affect the development of the disease in any way.
3. Reduction in motor amplitude in damaged joints over time. It is associated with spasms of adjacent muscles, narrowing of the joint space, as well as the appearance of bone growths, otherwise called osteophytes.
4. The main symptoms of arthrosis also include modification of damaged joints, which is expressed in deformation of articulating bones, the occurrence of osteophytes, as well as increased pressure of synovial fluid, pushing the joint from the inside. An increase in the volume and, accordingly, pressure of the synovial fluid occurs due to irritation of the bone tissue of the joints and is called “synovitis”.
Symptoms of arthrosis should be distinguished from arthritic ones. With arthrosis, pain appears during physical activity, mostly during the daytime. With arthritis, the pain does not depend on movement and most often appears at night. The nature of pain in arthritis is more intense and acute.
Modern medicine distinguishes three stages of arthrosis development, the symptoms of which vary.
At the first stage, there are practically no symptoms, only sometimes minor pain occurs during movement and intense physical activity on the damaged joints. At this time, pathological changes begin in the synovial fluid and membrane. There is a noticeable weakening of the muscles, at this stage they do not change.
At the second stage, the destruction of the joint begins; it is this pathological process that is the starting point of the second stage. Symptoms of arthrosis include osteophytes and a distinct crunch in the joints. The pain intensifies, becomes more pronounced, but is still tolerable. Muscle functions are impaired (neurotrophic reflex regulation).
In the third stage, symptoms are most obvious and most pronounced. This is the most severe stage of arthrosis. At this time, the supporting areas of the damaged joints undergo pathological changes, which in turn change the axes of the limbs (this is typical for knee arthrosis, which is the most common). In such cases, the legs take an O- or X-shape. The joint capsules become coarser, the ligaments become shorter, all this leads to chronic pain and inflammation. The result is a significant reduction in motor function in the damaged joint and the inability to perform natural movements. The normal connection points of the muscle-tendon complex change, the muscles are deformed by contraction or stretching and can no longer fully contract. After some time, trophic disorders spread from the ligaments and muscles of the joint to the rest of the tissues of the limb.
The end of the 3rd stage is the complete destruction of the joint, which is accompanied by complete immobility or neoarthrosis (i.e., unnatural partial mobility). As a rule, at this stage, the only effective treatment that a doctor can offer is endoprosthetics (replacing a damaged joint with an artificial one). For example, when arthrosis affects the hip joint, the result of the disease is ankylosis (locking of the joint) in an unnatural position, as a result of which the biomechanics of the musculoskeletal system is disrupted.
Treatment of arthrosis includes several principles:
– the load on the affected joints is limited;
– an orthopedic regimen is prescribed;
– treatment with exercise therapy;
– physiotherapeutic methods (ultrasound, laser, pulsed, electromagnetic, pulsed, magnetic and shock wave therapy);
– treatment by saturating the diseased joint with oxygen (using intra-articular oxygen therapy);
– special healthy nutrition;
– treatment at a resort in a sanatorium.
Treatment according to this scheme is classic for the diagnosis of arthrosis. It is worth dwelling separately on two points: pharmacotherapy and proper nutrition.
First of all, pharmacotherapy is designed to relieve pain and inflammation. Therefore, treatment after diagnosis always begins with NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). Most often, this treatment is prescribed intramuscularly or intravenously. This is due to a faster therapeutic effect and the absence of a negative effect on the gastric mucosa. The use of gels and ointments can only be an addition, since the local use of NSAIDs has too little effectiveness for arthrosis.
If non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed for oral administration, then they start with the minimum dosages and the weakest drugs. To protect the gastric mucosa, Omeprazole is included in treatment along with NSAIDs.
If arthrosis worsens, the course of treatment includes intra-articular corticosteroids, for example, diprospan, hydrocortisone or Kenalog. As a supplement, topical capsaicin (a substance extracted from hot peppers) can be used in the form of a patch, ointment, or alcohol tincture.
Treatment necessarily includes chondroprotectors, which help cartilage tissue to recover and improve the quality of synovial fluid. These substances include glucosamine and chondrotin sulfate. Such medications require long-term use, they act rather slowly, so the first effect does not appear immediately. However, if there are no positive changes within six months, chondroprotectors are canceled.
Along with chondroprotectors, treatment often includes hyaluronic acid, since it is a constituent of connective tissue and forms the cell membrane of joint cartilage, chondrocytes. Preparations containing it are administered intra-articularly.
In very advanced and severe cases, the doctor may decide to prescribe certain narcotic analgesics and opioids. However, these are exceptional measures.
The foot consists of 26 bones, divided into three parts: the anterior, middle and posterior sections. The talus and calcaneus (which are the largest bones in the foot) belong to the back. The middle part of the foot is the navicular, cuboid, etc. Five metatarsal bones and nine phalanges are the anterior section. The foot is divided into medial, lateral and transverse arches. Ligaments provide mobility and stability to joints. The muscles are responsible for smooth movement and also play a role in arch stabilization and finger movement. The main load is applied to the heel bone and toes.
Finally, there are numerous fat deposits located on the lower leg. They act as shock absorbers and cushions. The largest fat pad is located directly under the heel bone. The joint capsule, which is formed by ligaments connecting the bones of the foot, is filled with fluid. It reduces friction between tissues and protects bone structures.
The mechanism of development of the disease is the destruction of cartilage. The fabric begins to lose elasticity and wears off. As a result, bones rub against each other, tendons and ligaments are damaged. Due to such changes, the mobility of the leg is limited, and neighboring tissues and muscles begin to atrophy. The formation of cysts and osteophytes is possible due to thickening of the capsule. Severe deformity occurs when arthrosis of the feet progresses, locking the toes in an incorrect position. First, one toe changes—the big one; later the disease affects the second and third toes.
The disease most often affects large joints. Degenerative changes in the lower extremities cause:
Arthrosis of the small joints of the foot is most often found in ballerinas. They have to dance for a long time on their toes, the main load falls on them over time, causing unpleasant symptoms, which are later diagnosed as arthrosis of the foot.
To better understand the causes of arthrosis, scientists identify more than one risk factor that provokes the formation of pathology. The main risk factors studied and confirmed in the development of the disease:
Women suffer from arthrosis due to constant wearing of high-heeled shoes. In men, the main risk factor is carrying heavy objects. In addition, athletes who abruptly stop sports activities can also develop arthrosis of the foot joints. Failure to follow the rules of a healthy lifestyle and nutrition are also predisposing factors to the disease.
Arthrosis of the feet has three degrees of development. They are distinguished depending on the severity of the signs of pathology. Arthrosis of the 1st degree is characterized by minor pain in the heel area or toes. The first sign of the disease is fatigue. The patient does not feel any particular presence of pathology. Apart from moderate pain, arthrosis may no longer manifest itself. The disease is mainly discovered accidentally during an X-ray examination, which was carried out for a completely different reason. The image shows a slight decrease in the joint space. Arthrosis of the 1st degree is practically asymptomatic, but if the patient’s immunity is greatly reduced, it is possible that the body temperature may rise to a subfebrile level and redness in the area of the affected joint.
Arthrosis of the 2nd degree of the foot is characterized by moderate or severe pain. It affects the toes, heel and even the arch. Such symptoms of foot arthrosis absolutely cannot be ignored. The more severe nature of the pain does not allow the victim to perform routine work; the mobility of the leg is noticeably limited. Sometimes the movements are accompanied by a crunching or clicking sound, especially when the patient tries to move slowly.
Visually the joint is enlarged and reddened. It is hot to the touch. If you place your foot straight, you will notice that the big toe is tilted to the inside, which means that the deformity has already begun. It is clearly visible on an x-ray, as are bone growths (osteophytes). Long walking causes lameness due to pain. There are calluses on the heels and slight thickening of the knuckles. In the absence of proper therapy, an increase in degenerative changes occurs, which lead to prolonged manifestation of pain.
Arthrosis of the foot of the 3rd degree is characterized by severe deformation. The fingers are curled in one direction, the thumb goes under the index finger. Severe deformation almost completely limits mobility. Conventional analgesics no longer help the victim; more radical methods of treating the pathology are needed. Arthrosis of the heel is accompanied by a violation of the supporting function or even its complete loss. The affected person has difficulty walking, severe lameness is noticeable, and the uniform distribution of body weight is disrupted, which further aggravates the development of the disease. Human movements become swinging (pendulum-like).
The disease at stage 3 is manifested by severe aching pain. The joints become stiff. Taking into account the inflammatory process in the tissues and damage to the synovial fluid, the joints become unstable and are very easy to damage. If the bone spurs continue to grow, the clicking and crunching noises will continue to appear. Pain is disturbing even at rest. They are especially pronounced during wet weather and when there is stress on the joint. After sleep, severe stiffness is noticeable. It takes the patient up to 30 minutes to develop the joints of the foot and begin their normal lifestyle.
An experienced rheumatologist or arthrologist will immediately notice signs of arthrosis of the foot joints when palpating the joint. But in order to exclude other diseases, it is necessary to conduct a series of examinations to confirm a possible diagnosis. First of all, radiography is performed. If the patient has arthrosis, the image will show changes in the articular surface of the bones that form the joint:
To assess the condition of muscle tissue, magnetic resonance imaging is performed. Computed tomography can detect arthrosis of the foot at an early stage of development. It is necessary to undergo blood tests and densitometry to exclude the development of osteoporosis. An arthroscopic procedure allows you to determine the stage of damage to cartilage tissue with subsequent removal of intra-articular changes that impede movement.
Our joints bear a tremendous load every day. Their damage and inflammation greatly reduce the quality of life. Knowing the reasons that can lead to such an unpleasant disease, you can protect yourself and reduce the risk of pathology of the musculoskeletal system.
Arthrosis of the joints can be primary and secondary.
This type is most often associated with congenital inferiority and the tendency of cartilage tissue to damage and destruction as a result of metabolic disorders. The most common causes of this disease:
The secondary type is most often deforming arthrosis and progresses against the background of a decrease in the resistance of cartilage tissue to normal load. The development of this pathology is facilitated by:
The substance of which the joint consists, under the influence of the noted reasons, becomes thinner and gradually disappears, being replaced by coarse connective tissue. Chondrocytes (cartilage cells) die, cracks appear in the cartilage, elasticity and shock-absorbing properties are lost. Sclerosis and marginal growths – osteophytes – develop in the bones. Destruction covers the capsule and synovial (inner) membrane. Foci of fibrosis begin to form in the ligaments and muscles and calcifications are deposited.
The accompanying inflammation may resolve with the formation of so-called articular “mice” (pieces of cartilage that fall into the joint cavity).
Osteoarthritis occurs mainly in women over 40 years of age. The criteria for the diagnosis of deforming arthrosis of the joints are found in half of people over 55 years of age.
Patients complain of dull, aching pain that intensifies with exercise and subsides with rest. Malaise and short-term stiffness in the morning are characteristic. At first, only moderate pain, which appears in the evening, causes concern. Over time, the pain becomes more intense and longer lasting. The joint elements no longer withstand normal loads.
Deforming arthrosis is often accompanied by the occurrence of starting pain at the beginning of movement.
This is often favored by static loads and in order to get relief, you need to change your position. There may also be swelling and a slight increase in temperature.
There are several variants of this pathology. Depending on the type of disease, certain symptoms will appear. The following options are available:
In medicine, an approved classification of this pathology has been adopted. Depending on clinical and radiological changes, arthrosis is divided as follows:
Diagnosing osteoarthritis to prescribe treatment is not difficult. Usually it consists of several parts.
First, they question the patients, finding out their complaints and the degree of dysfunction. Movements in the joint are slightly limited, but as destruction develops, the volume decreases sharply until complete blockade occurs. Sometimes, due to pinching of the articular mouse, movement becomes almost impossible. This is typical only for deforming arthrosis.
With arthrosis of the joints of the hand, stiffness, subluxations and nodular neoplasms – Haberden's nodes – develop.
With coxarthrosis, gait may be impaired due to shortening of the leg due to destruction of the femoral head. Muscle atrophy forms. With gonarthrosis, a crunching sound is clearly heard during passive movements, and pain is detected by palpation along the joint space and at the sites of tendon attachment.
The main diagnostic method is radiography. The images visualize marginal bone growths, osteosclerosis, narrowing of the joint space, calcification of cartilage tissue and tendons.
Patients are often interested in questions: “How to treat arthrosis? Is it possible to cure arthrosis using only pills? How to treat osteoarthritis” The treatment plan for deforming arthrosis is based on the location of the lesion, the degree of arthrosis, and the presence of changes in the surrounding tissues. Medical care for patients with deforming arthrosis is provided at the level of a family doctor, as well as a rheumatologist and orthopedist-traumatologist.
You need to be prepared that treating osteoarthritis is a long process that requires a systematic approach and patience.
Conservative treatment of joint arthrosis is multicomponent, usually using both traditional and non-medicinal means (various corsets, compresses with medical bile, physical therapy).
The weakening and complete elimination of pain in the treatment of joint arthrosis is ensured by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Typically in the form of short courses of tablets. Local applications of dimexide or medical bile provide an excellent analgesic effect. This should be especially taken into account when there are contraindications for treatment with the above group of drugs (diseases of the gastrointestinal tract).
The most popular ointments for arthrosis are Diclofenac, Fastum Gel, Dolobene, and Indomethacin.
Injections into the joint to administer hormones are prescribed only when inflammatory manifestations occur, with dysfunction.
An indispensable condition for the treatment of arthrosis is weight loss. Obesity puts increased stress on joints. To improve metabolism, chondroprotectors are prescribed for arthrosis, the purpose of which is to stop cartilage degeneration. The most common drug today is chondroitin sulfate tablets. They are usually used for a long time, especially with arthrosis of the 2nd degree.
At the same time, you can make compresses with medical bile.
Contraindications to local osteoarthritis treatment with bile are diseases of the skin and lymphatic system.
To stabilize the functioning and treat arthrosis of the joints, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed. These are ultraviolet irradiation, ultrasound and bandages with medical bile. For the same purpose, medications are administered intra-articularly to facilitate the sliding of articular surfaces relative to each other.
When acute phenomena subside, depending on the degree of arthrosis, sanatorium-resort treatment of joint arthrosis and chondroprotective tablets have an excellent effect.
Usually, with stage 2 arthrosis, conservative treatment can achieve long-term remission. If, despite the methods used, the deterioration continues, the issue of prescribing surgical treatment is decided.
Prevention of arthrosis consists of stabilizing metabolism and adequate treatment of other diseases and injuries. The musculoskeletal system should be given adequate load, especially in the presence of risk factors. You need to start acting at the slightest suspicion of this disease. Medical bile is a good addition to your medicine cabinet to provide pain management.
Also at this stage, chondroprotective tablets are prescribed for arthrosis.
With age, joint diseases appear in almost every person. The most common disease is arthrosis. Infectious arthrosis develops due to damage to joint tissues by infection. To preserve the motor function of the limbs, it is important to pay attention to the signs of arthrosis as early as possible and begin treatment. Otherwise, the inflammatory process will result in complete loss of motor function of the joint and lifelong disability.
Arthrosis or osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that causes gradual deformation of the cartilage in the joints. In addition, pathological changes affect the synovium, capsule, adjacent bone structures and ligamentous apparatus. The disease affects about 80% of the world's population. The risk of developing the disease depends on the person’s age: cartilage deformation often occurs in people whose age has crossed the 40-year mark.
Arthrosis can have several types, depending on where the process occurs and which tissues are subject to deformation:
Medicine distinguishes 2 types of arthrosis:
Age is considered a common and natural cause of the disease. Over time, the human body wears out and its functionality decreases. Irreversible destruction processes occur in the joints. The occurrence of arthrosis is also provoked by:
Arthrosis occurs in 3 stages. At the initial stage of the disease, pain is absent or mild. Degenerative processes and destruction begin in the cartilage, since nutrients do not reach the tissues of the joints in full. The patient's movements are accompanied by a crunching sensation in the limbs, which is not accompanied by pain. At this stage, a person, as a rule, does not always pay attention to the signs that appear, meanwhile the disease progresses, leading to serious tissue damage.
The second stage of arthrosis is characterized by the progressive destruction of cartilage, and bone growths begin to form along the edges of the joints. The pain at this stage intensifies and occurs during physical activity. At rest, the painful sensations subside. The pain often manifests itself at night, the crunching becomes more distinct and is accompanied by soreness. An X-ray examination reveals inflammatory foci and places of destruction of cartilage tissue in the joints. At this stage of arthrosis development, if no treatment measures are taken, the process becomes irreversible.
The third stage is accompanied by constant pain that does not subside even at rest. Sick limbs are sensitive to weather changes; no painkillers help sick people. The deformation of the joint is visible during X-ray examination and external examination. The patient is unable to move independently.
In addition to the listed stages, there is one more - the fourth. At this stage, the joint is considered destroyed, painful sensations haunt the patient constantly. Treatment with therapeutic methods is pointless, so the patient is prescribed surgery to replace the destroyed joint with an artificial one. At the final stage of development of arthrosis, the patient is awarded the status of disabled person.
Since arthrosis is recognized as a chronic disease, it progresses slowly and symptoms do not appear immediately. Sometimes years pass before a person experiences signs of the disease. The main symptom is pain. At the final stage, the pain becomes unbearable, and no medicine can eliminate the pain.
A clear symptom of arthrosis is a crunching sound that occurs due to bones rubbing against each other. At first, the crunch is faintly heard and no pain is felt. Then the sound becomes “dry” and is audible to the patient and others. This sound is accompanied by severe pain.
Over time, joints lose mobility as bone structures grow. The patient is bothered by muscle spasms, the joint space disappears. The patient is unable to move independently; for physical activity he has to use aids (crutches, walkers, canes).
The joint begins to deform, swelling and redness appear in the inflamed area. The limb shortens; during an X-ray examination, formed osteophytes are visible on the surface of the affected bone; synovitis may occur. The patient's temperature rises, feverish states occur, and body weakness occurs.
If advanced arthrosis is diagnosed, the patient will only benefit from surgery (replacing the diseased joint with an artificial one); in other cases, timely treatment will help stop the degenerative process.
Only a doctor can determine the disease (examines the patient and prescribes the necessary examinations). A general examination determines the nature of the pain and its frequency. Using auscultation, a crunching sound is heard in the joint; palpation is used to determine the deformity, swelling and pain of the affected limb. The doctor collects an anamnesis, in which it is important to note whether the patient has chronic, hereditary and autoimmune diseases.
For a more accurate diagnosis, a number of the following activities are carried out:
If there is a suspicion of secondary arthrosis, the patient is prescribed consultations with other doctors (gynecologist, endocrinologist and hematologist).
It is necessary to establish the exact cause of the disease, only in this case the disease can be stopped. If the cause lies in a previous injury followed by infection, the use of antimicrobial drugs is necessary. Viral arthrosis (viral inflammation in the joint itself) requires treatment with antiviral drugs. A disease such as arthrosis is quite difficult to cure; therapy is usually long-term and necessarily consists of a whole range of therapeutic measures.
Treatment consists of the following:
At the initial stage of arthrosis, it is possible to use alternative medicine recipes, but only after agreement with the attending physician. At home, herbal compresses, infusions and decoctions, rubs and ointments are used. In the remission stage, the patient may be referred for sanatorium treatment. Health resorts use therapeutic mud and mineral baths.
At the fourth stage of arthrosis, the destroyed joint is replaced with an endoprotector. The procedure is performed only surgically.
A patient undergoing treatment is advised to visit a nutritionist. A properly selected diet guarantees quick recovery of the body and more effective treatment. Those who are overweight urgently need to lose dangerous kilograms, this will reduce the load on sore limbs. To improve the nutrition of cartilage, the patient is recommended to consume the following foods:
We must not forget about an adequate drinking regimen; it is recommended to drink about 3 liters per day (herbal tea, dried fruit compote, fresh berry juice, clean still water).
Everyone can be susceptible to arthrosis, regardless of age and gender, but those who suffer from obesity, frequent colds, autoimmune diseases, and congenital dysplasia have a high risk of acquiring this disease. A high risk of arthrosis is observed in people whose professional activities are directly related to heavy stress on the joints.
To avoid arthrosis, it is recommended to monitor your weight, avoid excess kilograms, avoid overcooling, and eat a balanced diet. An active lifestyle, playing sports, and giving up bad habits are also encouraged. It is important to diagnose musculoskeletal pathologies in a timely manner and promptly treat them, preventing the formation of arthrosis.
If the disease is left to chance, unpleasant health consequences may arise: disruption of the biomechanics of the spine, irreversible destruction of joints, loss of motor function, neuralgia, formation of interdisc hernias, disability. Therefore, at the first appearance of signs of arthrosis, immediately consult a doctor.
Arthrosis is a very insidious disease that can develop over several years without obvious manifestations. If an infection is added to the existing inflammation, this is a very dangerous condition that can lead to death. Only timely recognition of symptoms and comprehensive diagnosis guarantees the appointment of effective treatment and preservation of motor function of the limbs.