In the structure of pathology of the osteoarticular system, osteoarthritis occupies a leading place - it accounts for about 70% of cases. People over 50 most often face this problem, but the initial signs of the disease appear even in young people. This disease has serious medical and social significance, because in many cases it becomes the cause of functional failure in working age.
Many people know about such a pathology as arthrosis of the joints, but not every patient understands why it develops, how it manifests itself and what is required to combat the disease. And increased awareness and caution can prevent the occurrence and progression of harmful changes.
Osteoarthritis is characterized by the development of degenerative-dystrophic processes in all tissues of the joint: cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments, muscles and tendons. The disease is considered one of the “companions of aging”, since it more often affects older patients. But the age factor is far from the only cause of deforming arthrosis. The origin of the disease is quite heterogeneous and is caused by both external and internal types of pathological effects on the body.
For each patient, there are certain risk factors that contribute to the occurrence of joint pathology. Therefore, the causes of arthrosis include the following conditions:
As we see, the development of arthrosis is mediated by diverse factors, which in most cases are of a mechanical or metabolic nature. Of no small importance in this case is the patient’s lifestyle and his profession, because loaders, manual workers, and athletes often suffer from arthrosis.
The causes of arthrosis are quite diverse; they are characterized by a local effect on the joints and a general effect on the body.
The normal function of the joint is ensured by the harmonious functioning of all its structures. But the main component of any joint is cartilage. It provides shock-absorbing function and resists pressure on the joint. Cartilage tissue consists of cells (chondrocytes) and a matrix, the main substances of which are proteoglycans and collagen.
If the load on the joint exceeds the permissible limit, then structural damage first occurs in the cartilage. Proteoglycans that hold collagen threads are lost, which increases the sensitivity of the tissue to external influences. Destruction processes begin to prevail over synthesis. This is facilitated by a decrease in cartilage trophism when the synovial fluid contains insufficient nutrients. An imbalance of tissue renewal is maintained by inflammatory reactions and hormonal disorders.
All this leads to thinning of the cartilage, it becomes rough and loses its elasticity. Due to the growth of the underlying bone tissue, the joint space narrows and osteophytes form - marginal growths. The synovial membrane thickens, the ligaments thicken and shorten, and muscle function is impaired.
Pathological processes in the joint develop gradually, but do not go away without leaving a trace. Disturbances in cartilage tissue and other structures inevitably affect the clinical picture of osteoarthritis.
Arthrosis, like other diseases, has certain varieties. This must be taken into account in the clinical classification of the disease. Pathology can be primary, when it develops in healthy joints, or secondary, if it appears against the background of other diseases. In cases where the cause cannot be determined, we speak of idiopathic osteoarthritis. Depending on the number of joints involved, the following types are distinguished:
If the pathological process is generalized, then we can talk about damage to almost all joints of the body, including the spine, where the phenomena of spondyloarthrosis are observed. In this case, the disease can occur in a nodular or nodular form.
It is important to understand what processes occur in the joint and adequately assess their severity. Therefore, the stage of arthrosis must be taken into account. It does not depend on the cause and is determined by pathological changes in the joint tissues:
The presence of signs of inflammation should also be reflected in the classification. Therefore, osteoarthritis is distinguished with and without synovitis. In addition, the functional state of the joint is important, which is determined by the degree of insufficiency:
All of these features should be reflected in the diagnosis of osteoarthritis, since they are important for subsequent therapy.
Among articular pathologies, the symptoms of arthrosis have quite noticeable specificity. They develop gradually, but progress steadily, leading to limitation of physical activity of patients. Therefore, it is especially important to suspect the disease in time in order to be able to stop its development, as well as prevent complications.
When contacting a doctor, the patients' complaints are analyzed first. And mostly people are worried about joint pain. But with arthrosis, unlike other pathologies, for example, arthritis, they have the following character:
At first, patients may only feel vague discomfort in the joints, accompanied by a feeling of fatigue. But over time it develops into pain. And if in the initial stages it bothers you after exercise, then later it bothers you during movement, and in advanced cases it becomes constant, persisting even at rest and at night.
In addition to pain, patients also experience other symptoms of arthrosis. They have both a subjective and objective nature, including the following features:
With arthrosis of the hands, during examination you can notice characteristic formations in the area of the proximal and distal phalanges - Bouchard's and Heberden's nodes. Feeling the affected joints is often painful. If contractures form, then certain parts of the limbs are fixed, often in a flexion position.
The pronounced nature of osteoarthritis leads to a significant decrease in the level of physical activity of patients, which entails a decrease in their quality of life.
To understand why the clinical picture develops, it is necessary to confirm the pathology of the joints. This can be done by conducting the necessary diagnostic examination, which includes instrumental and laboratory methods. First of all, they try to see structural changes in the affected areas, assess their severity and prevalence. It is also necessary to determine metabolic disorders in the body, which have become a favorable background for the occurrence of arthrosis. Therefore, the examination complex consists of the following activities:
After the examination, a consultation with an orthopedist-traumatologist will be required, who will help formulate the correct treatment tactics for each patient.
Joint arthrosis needs to be treated comprehensively. This means that all available therapeutic agents are used to alleviate the patient’s condition. But you need to understand that their effectiveness directly depends on the time of circulation. In advanced forms of the disease, conservative measures will help little. A pronounced and lasting result can be obtained with early treatment. The following methods are used to treat osteoarthritis:
The doctor decides which medications are suitable for a particular patient. The choice is made based on the examination results and the individual characteristics of the body.
The best effect of treatment can be obtained if correction is started in the early stages of the disease, when the first symptoms begin to appear.
Since the development of degenerative changes in joints is mediated by increased load, the first step is to reduce the mechanical effect on cartilage tissue. To do this, you should stop wearing heavy weights and intense sports training. Any methods are suitable for unloading the joint - from walking with a cane to special fixing orthoses. But you cannot completely give up movement; physical activity must be dosed. Walking short distances and swimming are useful.
Proper nutrition plays an important role in the correction of arthrosis changes. Diet helps improve the condition of cartilage tissue, but is also the main component of the fight against excess weight. Patients are recommended to eat lean meats and poultry, fish, and cereals; you need to enrich your diet with fresh vegetables and fruits, herbs. But in return, you should refrain from smoked, spicy, fatty foods, marinades and pickles. It is better to pay attention to foods rich in collagen fibers, elastin and gelatin: jellied meat, khash, jellied dishes, fruit jellies.
Traditional treatment for arthrosis begins with medications. Using various drugs, you can eliminate not only the symptoms of the disease, but also influence the mechanisms of its development. This is especially important in chronic degenerative joint pathology, when it is necessary to achieve a structural-modifying effect on cartilage tissue. The following medications are mainly recommended:
In case of severe pain, intra-articular injections of glucocorticosteroids (Diprospan, Kenalog) can be done. But such treatment should be short-term, since with long-term use, hormonal drugs have the opposite effect - they stimulate degenerative processes. Systemic therapy should be combined with local medications (Diklak, Finalgon, Traumeel S, Apizartron).
Taking medications for osteoarthritis is carried out on the recommendation of a doctor and under his supervision. Independent use of any medications is not allowed.
Methods of physical influence help eliminate acute signs of articular pathology. Along with medications, they can reduce the severity of pain and inflammation, and also stimulate biochemical processes in the cartilage itself. In the complex treatment of arthrosis, the following procedures are used:
Such methods affect not only the joint, but also the surrounding tissues. This helps to activate blood circulation, improve trophic processes and weaken muscle contractures. Many elements of sanatorium-resort treatment have general healing effects. But at the same time, we must not forget about contraindications to physiotherapy: infectious diseases, tumors, cardiovascular pathology, renal failure, bleeding, and the patient’s serious condition.
An important aspect of non-drug therapy for osteoarthritis is physical therapy. It is known that the metabolism of cartilage tissue has a clear dependence on the mechanical factor. But its strength must be adequate. Only then do growth processes prevail over destruction. Therefore, gymnastics is indicated for all patients with joint diseases. But for each person, their own set of exercises is developed, taking into account the location and severity of the lesion, as well as the general condition of the body.
You should not allow pain to occur during exercise. Exercises are performed at a slow pace and only after acute symptoms have resolved. Sudden and high-amplitude movements, which can provoke unpleasant sensations, should be avoided. Physical education should be done under the supervision of a doctor, and after acquiring the necessary skills, you can begin home exercises.
Therapeutic gymnastics is an integral component of the correction of degenerative processes in the joint. Only regular exercises have positive results.
To improve the condition of the musculoskeletal system, massage sessions are recommended. Manual pressure on the joints allows you to relax spasmodic muscle groups, stimulate blood circulation in soft tissues and prepare them for active exercise (before therapeutic exercises). Classic massage includes the following elements:
It is often combined with passive movements in the affected joints. The duration of therapy is determined by the doctor and can range from 7 to 15 sessions.
If advanced stages of osteoarthritis do not allow obtaining the desired effect from conservative measures, then the need for surgical treatment arises. Its essence is the replacement of a joint with an artificial one – endoprosthetics. This operation is performed openly and under general anesthesia. After completing it, you need to undergo rehabilitation, which begins as early as possible. And as a result of surgical intervention, the patient can completely get rid of arthrosis and return to an active life. True, the operation is not available to everyone.
Osteoarthritis is a common problem that requires timely and proactive solutions. In order not to progress the disease and to be able to hope for the success of conservative measures, treatment should be started as early as possible. This will avoid exacerbations, prevent the progression of changes in the joints, and also restore the functional abilities of the musculoskeletal system as much as possible. Otherwise, surgical correction will have to be considered.
Path to page: Home Arthrosis Causes of arthrosis of the knee joint
Based on the causes of its occurrence, the disease is divided into two large groups: primary and secondary arthrosis of the knee joint.
In the primary form of the disease, the exact cause that caused this disease is unknown.
They speak of a secondary form when there is already some kind of problem in the joint (for example, previous inflammation, trauma, etc.), and osteoarthritis is, as it were, layered a second time on the already changed joint.
The exact cause of gonarthrosis is currently unknown. But the risk factors leading to the appearance of this disease have been studied quite well.
There are three large groups of causes, or risk factors, for the development of knee arthrosis.
The primary form of the disease appears due to congenital defects in the knee joint and is caused by improper formation of the surface of the joint, which, while walking, takes on a very large load, incommensurate with its capabilities, and therefore a degenerative process begins in it.
The secondary form of arthrosis of the knee joint can also appear in adulthood and the reasons for its appearance are as follows:
- injuries. These are dislocations, fractures and bruises of the knee. Injury to the knee joint is the most common cause of arthrosis. In such cases, normal nutrition is disrupted, including blood circulation to the joints, and as a result, the mechanism for the development of the disease is triggered;
- operations to remove the meniscus. They compromise the structural integrity of the knee, and it begins to wear out quickly;
- heavy load on the legs. This applies to athletes and people whose profession forces them to be constantly on their feet;
-excessive body weight. Excess weight puts pressure on the knee joints;
-arthritis. Long-term arthritis leads to the formation of fluid in the joint cavity and this is complicated by arthrosis;
-impaired metabolism, which leads to salt deposition.
-inflammation. As a rule, this process occurs due to impaired immunity in autoimmune diseases. Much less commonly, it can be caused by various infections that cause inflammation of the purulent contents in the joint. Subsequently, the cartilage tissue is destroyed, and its ability to regenerate is significantly reduced;
-changes associated with hormonal levels. Such changes can significantly affect the degenerative processes of connective and cartilage tissue;
- liver diseases. The diseased liver is unable to fully cope with its functions and begins to filter blood poorly. The appearance of chemical irritating impurities in the content of joint fluid causes pain and rapid destruction of joint cartilage, which leads to arthrosis.
Diet for arthrosis of the knee joint 1st degree at the link.
Low-symptomatic forms of arthrosis are observed mainly at a young age. Patients are bothered by rare, low-intensity, short-term pain and/or crunching in 1–3 joints, appearing after significant stress. Cramps of the calf muscles and Heberden's nodes may be observed. The functions of the joint are not yet impaired. X-ray changes of stages 1, 2, 3 are determined in one or more joints.
The slowly progressive course of the manifest form of arthrosis can occur at any age. Joint pain syndrome is moderately expressed. Significant clinical and functional manifestations in many joints occur or intensify during cooling, weather changes, or after joint overstrain. Pain appears at the beginning of movement (starting pain). There are aching or gnawing pains, they are accompanied by fatigue of regional muscles, joint stiffness, and periodic “jamming” of the joint. After some time, joint deformities develop. Radiographs reveal mainly stages 1-2 of the disease.
The rapidly progressive course of the manifest form of arthrosis usually occurs at a young age, while significant clinical and functional changes develop within up to 5 years from the onset of the disease. Frequent and rather intense pain is noted during exercise and prolonged rest. Concerned about limb spasms. Heberden's nodes, often Bouchard's nodes, and other joint deformities are identified. Periarthrosis, muscle atrophy, synovitis, and neurological complications appear early. X-ray changes reveal stages 2–3 of the disease.
Among the causes of arthrosis, age is one of the significant factors provoking joint disease. However, despite the identified pattern, arthrosis does not always come with age. What is the relationship, and how to preserve your musculoskeletal system for as long as possible - we’ll talk about this today.
The development of arthrosis is influenced by many reasons, one of which is the fact: the older a person is, the greater the chance of detecting this joint disease. According to statistics, about 3-4% suffer from arthrosis under the age of 45, and at first men “dominate” in the percentage ratio between the sexes. However, with age, women “take away” the palm from the male sex. Every third person aged 45-64 years old has signs of arthrosis, and by the age of 70, 85% of the population has the incidence of this chronic joint disease.
As you can see, the numbers are very serious. And, nevertheless, even among 70-year-old elderly people, not everyone has arthrosis, and the study of each individual case of the disease, analysis of their life activities, habits, and nutrition provided rich food for convincing conclusions.
The following reasons have the most significant impact on arthrosis at a young age:
Nowadays, the diagnosis of “deforming osteoarthritis” is increasingly being made to young people. Congenital defects in the structure of bones and ligaments play a negative role in the subsequent development of joint disease. If the child was initially born healthy, then arthrosis is affected by sprains, fractures, dislocations, and serious bruises that do not disappear without a trace. Adding to them an unreasonable approach to sports (giving bright results to the detriment of health, being careless with joints), bad habits, metabolic disorders, then arthrosis of the initial stage will not take long to occur by the age of 30.
The causes of osteoarthritis of the joints, in addition to those listed above, in middle-aged people are:
The scourge of a modern well-fed society has become excess body weight. This is especially noticeable when considering the incidence in people in different countries. In Western countries, where wealth is higher and the diet is higher in calories, the percentage of arthrosis is much higher than among residents of Central Africa and poor Asian countries, where fat people are rarely seen. Gonarthrosis, coxarthrosis, arthrosis of the feet and legs most often occur in overweight patients.
The correct position of the spine is regularly discussed, and this is truly an important point in the prevention of arthrosis diseases among all ages. The curvature of the spinal column “undermines” the intervertebral discs, the load on them becomes disproportionate, which leads to rapid wear of the cartilage.
Some types of work have a similar negative effect, where certain types of joints are overstrained, and excessive load accelerates the destruction of hyaline cartilage. The most striking examples are the work of miners, builders with jackhammers (arthrosis of the elbow, shoulder, neck), workers of weaving factories (arthrosis of the hands, fingers, cervical, uncovertebral).
It’s good when you lived to be 70 years old and didn’t know what dry crunching of joints, stiffness of movement in the morning, difficulty climbing stairs or getting dressed meant. Unfortunately, by this age, only 15 out of a hundred elderly people will not be able to detect such obvious symptoms of arthrosis. The rest, to varying degrees, have signs of chronic joint problems.
The main causes of arthrosis in old age are the natural processes of thinning of cartilage, weakening of the ligamentous apparatus, a decrease in calcium in the bones, as well as harmful factors that influenced the disease in young and middle age.
Habits developed over many years can both contribute to the development of arthrosis and prevent, or at least preserve, the disease of the musculoskeletal system. The habit of eating heavy, fatty, unbalanced foods will certainly lead to metabolic problems, which, in turn, will negatively affect the health of the joints. And a person who has accustomed himself to daily morning exercises, even at the respectable age of 70, will not complain about the condition of his joints.
In general, those people who live in good health are those who treated their bodies with care, who were careful in life, avoiding unnecessary injuries, who were sick less, and paid more attention to health. Those who lead an active lifestyle are less prone to arthrosis. Even the natural wear and tear of cartilage tissue will be minimal, and elastic muscles and ligaments will not allow the cartilage to be overloaded; Proper nutrition will ensure the quality of the synovial fluid in the joint capsules and the cartilage tissue itself; the bones will not suffer from mineral deficiency. Little things add up to a positive picture that prevents arthrosis from developing. Or vice versa.
Thus, at any age, arthrosis does not like carelessness, indifference to joints, and even old age is not a necessary synonym for osteoarthritis if a person takes care of himself throughout his life. I would like the philosophy of health to be instilled in us from childhood, in the family, at school, in society, instead of the cult of consumption and luxury. When you get it, you don’t notice, and this is its main cunning, but it’s very difficult to recover.
Elena Baranovskaya Expert (479), voted 6 years ago
My sister has deforming arthrosis of the knee joint, a complication after a bruise while running. She is 20 years old, the interarticular space is normal, there is no swelling, there are osteophytes (growths). Doctors said that arthrosis is incurable. Are there any examples where he was completely cured?
Vote for best answer
Magnificent Oracle (84476) 6 years ago
In a large enamel pan, 8-10 liters of boiling water, 1-1.5 kg of crushed leaves and stems of Jerusalem artichoke, infused until the temperature was tolerably hot, and then dipped the sore arm into the solution up to the elbow. I kept her there for 20-30 minutes. She did this about 10 times, and arthrosis stopped bothering her. Now my mother-in-law is 75 years old. She feels great.
Source: Grandmother. Ethnoscience. Rheumatology. arthrosis Arthrosis can be cured without injections
Ester Oracle (52267) 6 years ago
HOW TO COPE WITH OSTEOARTHROSIS?
Try to eliminate provoking factors (avoid injuries, treat flat feet, varicose veins, atherosclerosis, obesity in a timely manner, conduct preventive examinations of newborns immediately after birth to detect hip dislocation, etc.).
For severe pain, you can use drugs that have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects (so-called non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - NSAIDs). capable of reducing pain, swelling, stiffness and improving joint function.
Use chondroprotectors. These are modern drugs that improve the structure of cartilage. Their use allows you to compensate for the deficiency of glucosamine in the body. A course of therapy with chondroprotectors has a long-term effect in the treatment of diseases of the joints and spine.
At the Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine and the Ukrainian Rheumatology Center in Kyiv, clinical trials of the Australian drug Gerron Osteoisy, containing 750 mg of glucosamine hydrochloride, obtained from marine mollusks, were conducted. They confirmed the effectiveness and safety of glucosamine hydrochloride for diseases of the musculoskeletal system and served as the basis for the creation of a new series of combined natural chondroprotectors.
Apply physical therapy, physiotherapy (magnetic therapy, laser therapy, electrophoresis, motor and strength exercises for certain muscle groups, thermal methods, ultrasound, etc.). massage. In the absence of contraindications, physiotherapy courses are repeated 2 times a year.
Sanatorium-resort treatment, which allows for comprehensive rehabilitation, including the positive effects of therapeutic mud, baths, saunas, as well as physiotherapy, massage, and physical therapy. An important role is played by a change of environment, stress relief, and being in the fresh air. It should be remembered that sanatorium-resort treatment cannot be carried out at the time of exacerbation of the disease.
Use orthopedic correction means - these are special devices that can reduce the load on the joint. These include orthopedic shoes, instep supports prescribed for flat feet; knee pads that can reduce the laxity of the knee joint, thereby reducing trauma to the cartilage when walking. Elastic bandages can be used instead of knee pads.
Nadezhda Litsmanova Pro (713) 6 years ago
Osteoarthritis cannot be cured, but it must not be aggravated further. Exercise on an exercise bike for 10 minutes daily helps, and in case of exacerbation, rub Bio-balm Shark cartilage. Try it and be healthy.
Vladimir Shchukin Enlightened (45878) 6 years ago
I had grade 3 coxarthrosis, I practically couldn’t walk, the doctors said that the only option was surgery. He prescribed the treatment himself, eliminated all the stress, ate a lot of celery root, then the dona drug, then swam a lot in Egypt in the Red Sea - everything was cured.
DaqpbЯR AndqreVna Enlightened (30633) 6 years ago
Recipe N1. Herbal mixture: Leuzea root - 1 tbsp. spoon, mint leaf - 1 tbsp. spoon, hop cones - 1 tbsp. spoon, yarrow herb - 2 tbsp. spoons, dried herb - 1 tbsp. spoon, celandine herb - 1 tbsp. spoon. Mix. 1 tbsp. Brew a spoonful of the mixture into a glass of boiling water. Leave for 4-6 hours, take 1/3 cup 3 times a day, and also apply as compresses.
Recipe N2. Rubbing with analgin: take
1 bottle of camphor alcohol (10 ml)
1 bottle of iodine (10 ml)
10 tablets of analgin
Mix everything, leave in a dark place for 21 days, and you can use it.
Recipe N3. Eucalyptus: infusion - 20 gr. eucalyptus, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for an hour, strain and pour into a dark bottle. Drink 50 grams for two weeks. 3 times a day half an hour before meals. Check ESR. If it is normal (up to 14), then do not use eucalyptus.
Rubbing: 100 gr. put crushed eucalyptus in a dark bottle, pour in 0.5 liters of vodka, let stand for five days at room temperature. Rub once before bedtime. Rub into the lower back 3 times, into the hands - 2 times. The course is one month.
Recipe N4. Oil mixture: if there is poor circulation in the legs, after warm foot baths, rub in the oil mixture - 2/3 cup of crushed bay leaf, pour 1 cup of unrefined sunflower oil. Leave in a dark place for 6 days and rub.
Not even all those people who have already encountered this disease know what arthrosis of various joints is. Arthrosis is a systemic disease based on the process of degenerative changes in cartilage, which receives insufficient nutrition (trophism) or has changed its configuration as a result of injury.
Important! Joint arthrosis, along with arthritis, is on the list of the most common diseases of the musculoskeletal system. The vast majority of patients are elderly. If measures are not taken in time and adequate treatment is not started, the disease can lead to disability and complete immobilization of the arms and legs. There are several types of disease.
Arthrosis-arthritis is a disease characterized not only by degenerative-dystrophic processes occurring in diarthrosis, but also by its inflammation.
Deforming osteoarthritis is a disease that is characterized by the proliferation of bone tissue, resulting in deformation of the ends of the bones that form the joint.
Periarthrosis is a dystrophic change in which degenerative processes are observed in the joint itself and in the tissues adjacent to it (ligaments, tendons).
Hemarthrosis is bleeding into the joint cavity.
The main cause of arthrosis of the joints is considered to be a violation of metabolic metabolism occurring in cartilage tissues. The consequences of these processes are that the cartilage loses its elasticity and gradually collapses.
The reasons for the development of degenerative changes and metabolic disorders can be a variety of factors:
Note! The cause of ankle arthrosis in women can be wearing narrow and uncomfortable shoes for a long time, especially high heels. Deformities of the joints of the upper extremities can be noticed in representatives of those professions in which a large load is expected on the hands.
In addition, arthrosis of the knee, ankle or hip joint is caused by all kinds of injuries, even minor ones (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Signs of arthrosis vary according to the degree of tissue damage:
Sometimes doctors also diagnose the fourth degree of arthrosis, which is characterized by intense pain and significant deformation.
This term most often refers to degenerative and destructive changes - the consequences of rheumatoid arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis itself changes the configuration of the joints, which causes aggravation of degenerative processes in the periarticular and articular tissues and a violation of the congruence of diarthrosis.
In addition, JRA stands out - juvenile rheumatoid arthritis, which affects children and adolescents.
But uncovertebral arthrosis is a manifestation of the occurrence of degenerative and destructive changes in the area of the cervical spine. The main symptoms of arthrosis of this localization:
An X-ray examination can show subluxation of the cervical joints.
In addition, arthrosis is classified according to the area of localization:
Before you start treating arthrosis at home using different methods, you should consult your doctor about their safety and advisability. This is necessary to prevent possible consequences of self-medication.
To prescribe adequate treatment, the doctor conducts an initial examination of the patient and prescribes a number of laboratory tests, which include:
Based on the above studies, the doctor can make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe appropriate treatment for the disease.
Treatment of arthrosis is based on:
In addition, ointments, creams, gels that have a distracting and anti-inflammatory effect are applied to the area of the affected diarthrosis 2-3 times during the day, rubs are used, and compresses with dimexide are applied.
To relieve inflammation and pain, it is widely used:
In some cases, the patient requires complete or partial joint replacement or plastic surgery. The procedure can be performed traditionally or using minimally invasive and endoscopic surgery.
Surgeries are prescribed in situations where conservative therapy has not brought the expected results, when the joint has lost its mobility, and its deformity is pronounced.
Prevention of arthrosis, first of all, consists of correcting nutrition, increasing physical activity, and preventing hypothermia.
With arthrosis, nutrition does not include any serious restrictions. This is just a balanced diet that includes the main food groups. The patient should consume plenty of fluids, fresh fruits and vegetables.
Doctors often recommend that patients with arthrosis include jellied meat, aspic or strong broths in their menu, unless these products are contraindicated by another doctor. The only condition is that the food must be low-calorie. This is necessary in order not to gain extra pounds and thereby increase the load on the joints.
Hot and spicy food itself does not have much effect on arthrosis. However, we must not forget that most often people suffering from arthrosis are forced to take anti-inflammatory and painkillers, which negatively affect the gastric mucosa.
Any moderate physical activity and daily exercise improves blood supply to joint tissues and strengthens muscles. For arthrosis, it is best to practice swimming, walking and skiing. For gonarthrosis and coxarthrosis in combination with excess body weight, cycling and exercise on an exercise bike have worked well.
Joints don't like cold. Therefore, you should dress according to weather conditions. In this case, all parts of the body must be equally protected. Any hypothermia can cause a weakening of the body's defenses, and this, in turn, is fraught with inflammatory processes in the joints and degenerative changes in them.
Currently, arthrosis of the joints is becoming the most common reason for patients seeking qualified medical care from rheumatologists or orthopedic traumatologists. This disease, according to statistics, occurs much more often than any type of arthritis, and, despite the fact that the cause of the disease is not an inflammatory process in the elements of the joint, but only degenerative-dystrophic damage to the cartilage that lines the articular surface, the function of the affected joint is impaired .
In many ways, this disease becomes the price that a person pays for his upright posture - the process of destruction of cartilage is most pronounced in joints experiencing high static load. With this disease, the thickness of the cartilage changes and its structure is radically rebuilt, and only after this secondary changes occur in the surrounding tissues of the joint (bone, vascular elements, synovial membrane).
It is quite difficult for most of our contemporaries to figure out on their own how arthritis differs from arthrosis, because the manifestations of both diseases are pain, changes in configuration and impaired movement in the affected joint. The main difference is the absence of a typical inflammatory reaction in arthrosis - there is no increase in local skin temperature and redness of the affected joint, and accordingly, there are no pronounced changes in the general condition (fever, increased body temperature).
Experts who deal with joint problems have now come to the conclusion that it is impossible to say unambiguously why a person begins to develop arthrosis - the reasons for the development of destructive-dystrophic changes in articular cartilage can be very diverse. In addition, in recent decades there has been a clear trend indicating that this disease is rapidly becoming “younger” - if thirty years ago the main contingent of patients were elderly people (over 65 years of age), today arthrosis of the extremities can be found in adolescents or people who have not yet reached 25 years of age.
The insidiousness of arthrosis also lies in the fact that pathological changes in the cartilage tissue of the affected joint do not show any symptoms for a long time - pain and difficulty in movement become noticeable only at the moment when the destruction reaches the periosteum located under the cartilage.
Most often, joint arthrosis occurs as a result of:
Depending on the condition of the joints before the onset of the disease, there are:
Even a qualified specialist cannot always accurately diagnose arthrosis without conducting a comprehensive examination of the patient - the symptoms of the disease are very similar to the manifestations of inflammatory damage to the joint (arthritis). The most common complaint of patients in both cases is pain and impaired movement in the affected joint, as well as the development of severe deformation and deformation in the joint.
Pain with arthrosis often occurs precisely when the joint is loaded, intensifies with significant physical activity, and in the initial stages of the disease can disappear on its own even without drug therapy. In cases where the destructive-degenerative process complicates the course of vascular diseases of the extremities, arthrosis of the ankle joint very often develops - this variant of the disease is characterized by the appearance of pain at rest and rapid disappearance after the start of active movement.
In addition, with arthrosis, initial pain may occur - they are characterized by the appearance of unpleasant sensations during the first steps of the patient and disappear on their own as the load continues (the patient “paces”). With arthrosis, the development of articular blockade is possible - in this case, in the joint cavity, necrotic cartilage is pinched between the articular surfaces of the joint. In this case, acute pain disappears on its own with random movement, which leads to the removal of the “articular mouse” from the articulating surfaces of the joint.
With the progression of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joint, thinning or complete disappearance of the cartilage occurs - as a result of this, crepitus occurs in the affected joint; it is felt even when moving with a small amplitude, like a crunching sound in the joint. Patients often notice that cooling the joints leads to a worsening of their condition - aching occurs.
Arthrosis of the joints may be accompanied by swelling - this symptom occurs as a result of the development of local circulatory disorders in the area of the affected joint, but unlike arthritis, in this case there is never an increase in local body temperature and redness of the skin, and there is no pronounced deterioration in the general condition. Persistent deformation of the joints with arthrosis is always accompanied by pronounced changes in X-ray images - a narrowing of the joint space, thinning (and not thickening) of the cartilage layer is detected, and with advanced arthrosis, a change in the structure of the bone on the articular surface is detected.
In addition, arthrosis can be accompanied by severe and persistent deformation, the degree of which does not decrease even with the administration of massive drug therapy - painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs reduce pain, but the degree of joint deformation does not change.
If the hip joint is affected, the patient is diagnosed with coxarthrosis - with this disease the process usually affects the joint on only one side (unlike most arthritis). Patients complain of pain that arises and quickly disappears during movement; an attempt to move may be accompanied by lameness and soreness in the thigh muscles. As the disease progresses, shortening of the limb occurs due to atrophy and flexion contracture - the patient develops a characteristic “duck gait”.
When the knee joint is damaged, the patient develops gonarthrosis - its characteristic signs include instability of the joint, increased pain when moving on an inclined surface or stairs, but all symptoms of the disease quickly disappear after a short rest.
This variant of the disease most often occurs as an occupational disease in patients who, due to their occupation, have to place additional stress on some small joints. Typical representatives of the disease are arthritis of the hand and typists or pianists, or arthrosis of the foot that occurs among hairdressers or medical workers - treatment of the disease in this case requires temporary limitation of loads and the prescription of metabolic therapy in combination with massage and a complex of physical therapy.
A doctor who sees a patient with any type of degenerative-dystrophic joint disease must conduct a comprehensive examination of the patient to rule out arthritis, especially associated with infection (including urogenital) or an autoimmune process in the body. Only after this is it possible to prescribe a comprehensive treatment for the disease, which must include the use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, metabolic therapy, including the prescription of chondroprotectors and vitamins, manual therapy, and massage.
It must be remembered that rehabilitation medicine has enormous potential for treating and preventing the disease - joint arthrosis is best treated when the earliest signs of the disease are identified, with minimal changes in cartilage and bone tissue. In the case when arthrosis is diagnosed, treatment with folk remedies helps to slow down the rapid development of deformities. In this case, long-term use of medicinal herbal teas, which have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, and the use of chondroprotectors of animal origin (jellied meat) are indicated.
To prevent the disease and reduce pain, patients with any form of arthrosis are advised to limit static loads, swimming, and also perform a complex of exercise therapy in the pool - in this case, movement is facilitated and helps strengthen the muscle corset around the affected joint. In addition, dry compresses, physiotherapeutic procedures, and spa treatment can be used to reduce pain.
In case of severe deformation and development of joint ankylosis, surgical treatment is indicated - endoprosthetics of the affected joint.
The causes of arthrosis of all joints lie in the wear and tear of articular cartilage. Without showing itself at first, the problem develops from youth and then develops into a chronic condition. The disease is not accompanied by an inflammatory process, but cannot be definitively treated. All that can be done is to alleviate the condition of patients and prevent its further development. In this article we will talk about arthrosis of the knee joint, which occupies a leading position in this group of diseases.
Because the knee joints support a person's weight and are involved in the movement of the legs, they feel a constant load. The main factor leading to the disease is considered to be mechanical impact. Microtraumas of the joint and pressure on it lead to structural changes in cartilage tissue. As a result, a “bedsore” forms on its surface. The mechanism of disease development is as follows:
Note! The principle of action of hyaline cartilage confirms that “movement is life”, because it receives nutrients during every step.
Important! Articular cartilage is considered the most vulnerable element of the joint and the first object to be affected by gonarthrosis. Prevention of arthrosis of the knee joints helps to avoid disturbances in the nutrition of cartilage tissue, which lead to cartilage degeneration, loss of its elasticity, firmness and the occurrence of defects.
Diseases of the knee joints are inflammatory and metabolic. Gonarthrosis is divided into primary (occurring initially) and secondary (arising as a result of other diseases of the knee joint).
Why primary arthrosis occurs is not fully understood. Presumably, it is caused by metabolic disorders in the body.
This leads to changes in the biochemical reactions that occur in cartilage tissue. Over time, it breaks down, degenerates and accumulates salts. The surface of the knee joint changes with the structure of the cartilage. As a result, effusion may accumulate in the knee and a Becker cyst (a dense elastic formation on the back wall of the knee joint) may appear.
Inflammatory processes in the joint are caused by an autoimmune reaction, when the immune system, instead of protecting the body, behaves inappropriately and attacks any organ.
The process of degeneration in secondary arthrosis occurs in previously injured cartilage. Osteoarthritis develops in this case through inflammation, the appearance of arthritis and synovitis. Treatment of post-traumatic arthrosis of the knee joint is based on the fact that the disease progresses quickly - within 4-5 months.
Secondary arthrosis occurs for the following reasons:
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How the disease manifests itself depends on the degree of its development.
In the initial stages, the pain is felt mildly and does not appear unexpectedly. Until the problem worsens, you can live in this state for more than one month, or even a year. During this period, mild pain is felt when walking, running, or physical activity, but goes away immediately at rest. If the pain occurs suddenly, this indicates a pinched meniscus, dislocation or fracture, but not arthrosis. External deformation of the joint is not yet visible, although damage to the cartilage tissue is already occurring.
Note! Before treatment for grade 1 arthrosis of the knee joint, additional diagnostic methods are performed, since radiography does not reveal signs of the disease at this stage.
Further development of the disease leads to a narrowing of the joint space, which causes significant damage to the cartilage tissue. An x-ray shows bone growth. Any movement associated with the knee joint is accompanied by acute pain. At rest it goes away, but then returns again. Added to it is a characteristic crunch that accompanies the flexion and extension of the leg.
With arthrosis of the knee joint of 2 degrees, immediate treatment is required. Since the knee cannot be bent or straightened, the joint ceases to perform its function. The deformation of the bones in this case is visible from the appearance of the knee.
With grade 3 arthrosis of the knee joint, local thinning of the cartilage tissue and the formation of exposed bone areas occurs. X-rays show that salts (osteophytes) have been deposited in the joint cavity. Changes in the appearance of the knee become obvious, and the pain does not go away, even when the legs are at rest. It bothers you both during stress and in a state of inactivity, and often prevents a person from falling asleep.
Conservative treatment of the disease aims to relieve pain, swelling of the joint, inflammation, restore its mobility and blood circulation in the tissues. It is prescribed depending on the stage of development of the disease. In addition to medication, physiotherapeutic and sanatorium-resort treatment is also used.
The following actions are recommended for patients:
Modern medicine, along with medicinal methods of combating the problem, uses the following procedures:
Remember, you need to monitor your health and prevent joint diseases. This way you will extend your active lifestyle. We wish you success!