One of the most common degenerative joint diseases is arthrosis. With this pathology, the tissues of the joint are gradually destroyed and its mobility is lost. There are four stages in the development of the disease. At first, such changes occur almost imperceptibly. Therefore, grade 1 arthrosis is very difficult to diagnose. And often patients go to a medical facility when the disease is already advanced. To prevent irreversible destruction, you need to avoid factors that provoke arthrosis, and begin treatment at the first symptoms of pathology.
Unlike inflammatory diseases, joint destruction mainly affects people over 45 years of age. Usually one joint is affected. Why does arthrosis develop? The reasons may be:
This disease, also called osteoarthritis, usually develops in joints that experience increased stress. The hip and knee joints, as well as the phalanges of the fingers, are most often affected. The danger of the disease is that stage 1 is often asymptomatic. Even an X-ray shows almost nothing. At the very beginning of the disease, there is a disturbance in metabolic processes in the joints.
Most patients consult a doctor when the changes become irreversible. And all because osteoarthritis of the first degree does not manifest itself with either severe pain or inflammation. There is no swelling or redness on the skin.
You can only notice the following signs:
Most often, arthrosis affects the hip and knee joints. The ankle and finger joints may also be destroyed. The general symptoms of the disease are similar, but there are also specific signs:
If any of these symptoms appear, you should visit a doctor as soon as possible. Based on the examination and medical history, the specialist will take an x-ray of the affected joint. Arthroscopy and biochemical analysis of intra-articular fluid are also prescribed. Once an accurate diagnosis is made, the doctor will help you choose the right treatment.
An x-ray will help determine joint deformity
The earlier treatment for the disease is started, the more favorable the prognosis. You can completely stop the progression of destruction and restore mobility to the joints. To achieve this, treatment for grade 1 arthrosis should not only eliminate symptoms, but also reduce the load on the sore spot. It is best to use complex therapy for this. The most commonly used methods are:
The best way to prevent arthrosis is gymnastics
Various ointments, rubs and painkillers are used if osteoarthritis bothers the patient with severe symptoms. In all other cases, chondroprotectors are sufficient to restore joint function. The most commonly used drugs are: “Arthra”, “Arthroflex”, “Teraflex”, “Chondrolone” and other drugs containing glucosamine or chondroitin.
"Fastum" gel is the best remedy for joint pain
At the initial stage, the disease responds well to treatment using traditional methods. They will help not only reduce pain, but also restore joint function. The following unconventional methods are used:
Everyone knows that it is easier to prevent a disease than to treat it later. It is believed that joint destruction due to arthrosis is irreversible, but these processes can be stopped. What is needed for this:
The main method of preventing joint diseases is physical therapy. During the period of exacerbation of arthrosis, you cannot exercise, but in the absence of pain it is useful to walk more, do “bicycle” exercises, and shake your arms and legs. It is important to learn how to relax your muscles and relieve stress from your joints.
If signs of joint damage appear, treatment should begin as quickly as possible. It is better if physical therapy and physiotherapeutic methods are used along with taking medications. By following all the doctor’s recommendations, following the correct diet and physical activity, you can stop the destruction of the joint and restore its mobility.
Arthrosis of the knee joint 1st degree, or gonarthrosis, is one of the most common joint diseases in our time. True, this type of arthrosis is characterized by the mildest course and positive prognosis for complete recovery.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint
The main cause of gonarthrosis is most often high physical activity: over the past 100 years, people have begun to move much more, play sports, and overall life expectancy has increased - all this together leads to a growing number of joint diseases.
Other causes of arthrosis of the knee joint include the following:
Using a special knee brace will help keep the joint in place.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint occurs due to the loss of flexibility and elasticity of the articular cartilage. Over time, it becomes thinner, cracks appear on it, and as a result, delamination occurs.
The initial stage of the development of the disease is grade 1 arthrosis of the knee joint, in which the following clinical picture is observed: narrowing of the gap in the joint, sharpening of the edges of its surface, slight limitation of mobility, softening of cartilage tissue.
If cysts, small cracks appear, and mobility is significantly limited, then we can already talk about the second stage of the disease.
Arthrosis of the knee joint of the 1st degree does not occur suddenly and overnight: it develops gradually, and many people attribute the first symptoms to ordinary fatigue or simply do not pay attention to them:
Gradually, a crunch in the knee may be added, again not strong, slight swelling in the joint area, slight weakness of the muscles on the sore leg, aching in the joint due to hypothermia. If you find yourself with at least one of the symptoms, this is a reason to immediately consult a doctor and get qualified help that will allow you to maintain normal functioning.
Unfortunately, there is currently no medicine that will magically completely cure you of stage 1 knee arthrosis, but there are a number of drugs and exercises that can alleviate and significantly slow down the course of the disease.
The treatment of gonarthrosis must be approached comprehensively, then the best results will be achieved. So what treatments are there?
You will be prescribed medications from the group of non-steroidal (i.e. non-hormonal) anti-inflammatory drugs. These include:
The main task of this group of drugs is to relieve acute pain, but not to treat arthrosis itself. Their long-term use is contraindicated due to the possibility of masking symptoms and the development of serious side effects. Therefore, after relieving pain symptoms, we proceed to the next point.
Medicines that will help at this stage belong to the group of chondoprotectors, which allow, first of all, to slow down the destruction of cartilage tissue. To restore the cartilage surfaces of the joint, substances such as chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine are used, which are contained in the following preparations:
At the first stage of arthrosis development, these are some of the most important medications. With the further development of gonarthrosis, unfortunately, their effectiveness is reduced to almost zero.
It is important to remember that chondoprotectors must be taken in courses, regularly, since a one-time dose of medication or occasionally will not have any effect.
Corticosteroids, or anti-inflammatory hormones, help cope with this task. Such drugs can cause serious side effects, so they are usually not prescribed to be taken orally, but used as injections into the knee joint (hydrocortisone, Kenalog, Diprospan) or ointments, including those that do not contain hormonal substances (DIP-relief, Bystrum -gel, diclofenac, gevcamine, menovazine, etc.).
Ointments and injections do not treat grade 1 arthrosis of the knee joint, but they relieve the inflammatory process and in many cases relieve pain.
To improve the effect of treatment, in addition to medications, it is recommended to use other methods:
The process of treating arthrosis of the 1st degree with the help of physical exercises
You can supplement the main treatment with traditional methods, but only after consultation with your doctor. How can you fight arthrosis of the knee joint at home?
In general, with timely and correctly selected treatment, the patient can significantly alleviate the course of such an unpleasant disease as arthrosis of the knee joint of the 1st degree.
Arthrosis is a very common disease that affects cartilage tissue. As a result, they lose their elasticity. The knee joints are especially often affected by this disease.
Arthrosis of the 1st degree of the knee joint, or gonarthrosis, is considered a female disease. In representatives of the stronger half of humanity, this type of arthrosis is much less common. But doctors say that gonarthrosis can be combated with various effective methods, using traditional and alternative medicine. Positive prognosis for treatment depends on the stage of arthrosis of the 1st degree of the knee joint.
Doctors identify the following causes of arthrosis of the knee joint:
If we talk about injuries, all kinds of dislocations and fractures contribute to the rapid development of the disease. The knees bend poorly and lose mobility. Then blood circulation worsens. Gonarthrosis can develop as early as three years after a knee injury. Damage to the meniscus is especially dangerous, which in 90% of cases leads to arthrosis of the 1st degree. Meniscus problems usually occur in former athletes.
It must be remembered that after a certain age, the elasticity of cartilage tissue decreases significantly. In this regard, you need to balance physical activity with your capabilities. Sports activities are good at 20 years old, but after 40 you need to be more careful.
Excess weight can negatively affect the condition of the knee joints. This is especially true not just for obese people, but for those with large bellies. Gonarthrosis is caused by uneven distribution of load on the legs.
The development of grade 1 arthrosis of the knee joint can be negatively affected by hormonal imbalances. Therefore, it is recommended to visit an endocrinologist more often in order to prevent the occurrence of the disease.
As for genetic predisposition, everything is clear here. Congenital joint injuries are not uncommon. Arthritis can also lead to inflammation of the knee joints and cause gonarthrosis.
Such a serious disease does not occur quickly. If symptoms are identified early, effective treatment can begin.
These should include:
The above manifestations should not be attributed to ordinary fatigue. Some people do not pay any attention to them and start the disease.
If you notice these signs, you should immediately go to the doctor.
Patients diagnosed with grade 1 arthrosis of the knee joint should prepare for long-term treatment. Visiting a doctor and ongoing consultations are mandatory. Surgery is rare because there are other effective methods. Here are the main methods of treating gonarthrosis:
To relieve pain in the knee joint, it is recommended to take non-hormonal drugs such as Diclofenac, Nimulid, Butadione and others.
Hormones and corticosteroids are used to combat the inflammatory process. But side effects are also possible. Most often, doctors prescribe intravenous injections or ointments. In this case, the side effects will be less pronounced.
Improving the condition of cartilage tissue is the most important stage in the treatment of arthrosis of the 1st degree of the knee joint. You can’t do without drugs that contain glucosamine. Experts usually recommend relieving inflammation with medications such as Elbona, Arthra and Chondrolone. Patients must take these drugs in courses.
The above treatment methods will be especially effective in combination with physical therapy. Infrared laser therapy, magnetic therapy, ultrasound therapy, radon baths are all the most commonly used physiotherapeutic methods for getting rid of the disease.
You should also combine medications and injections with manual therapy and exercises as part of physical therapy. But exercise therapy is recommended only in the initial stages. Special exercises will help restore normal blood supply and nutrition to the joints. Acupuncture, electrophoresis and cold treatment should not be neglected. Some doctors advise undergoing treatment with healing mud at resorts.
Alternative medicine offers alternative ways to treat arthrosis of the 1st degree of the knee joint with various compresses and rubbing. For example, you can make a compress of cabbage with liquid honey and apply it to the affected area. It is advisable to change compresses twice a day. The course of treatment is 50 days.
If you mix turpentine with vinegar, you get an excellent mixture for rubbing a sore spot. It is advisable to wrap the knee with a woolen scarf after the procedure. To relieve unpleasant pain in the knee, an infusion of celandine leaves and olive oil is ideal. It is also recommended to drink a small amount of apple cider vinegar diluted with water twice a day.
It is important to remember that all traditional medicine methods must be combined with more effective treatments. And visiting a doctor remains a must.
If gonarthrosis is already severely advanced, surgical intervention will be required. Endoprosthetics and arthroscopic debridement are the most popular surgeries on the knee joint.
Endoprosthetics involves installing a high-quality prosthesis made of metal, ceramic or plastic in place of the removed joint. Such a radical operation guarantees more than 20 years of normal life without pain and discomfort.
The initial stage of deformation of the knee cartilage is called grade 1 gonarthrosis of the knee joint. A chronic asymptomatic process leading to degenerative changes in the knee joints due to the thinning of cartilage tissue.
A change in the anatomical integrity of a joint begins with a change in the condition of the cartilage. The progressive disease destroys adjacent bone tissue. Pain and changes in the condition of the knee joint are clearly expressed in grades 2 and 3 of damage. Grade 1 gonarthrosis can be stopped if detected early.
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The appearance of knee joint disease occurs for various reasons. Thinning of the wall of cartilage tissue and its destruction leads to gonarthrosis, the treatment of which is quite long. The causes of destruction of cartilage tissue may be the following factors:
A complex of unfavorable factors has a destructive effect on the knees and the entire osteo-articular system. Treatment of grade 1 gonarthrosis is carried out comprehensively.
Primary changes in the knee joint do not manifest themselves with any symptoms, which is the difficulty of diagnosing gonarthrosis. The first degree of damage is manifested by changes that are insignificant at first glance:
If at least one of the signs of the disease appears, you should contact a specialist for consultation, who, if necessary, will prescribe diagnostic examinations.
Symptoms of grade 2 and 3 gonarthrosis are manifested by more severe pain and noticeable degenerative changes in the knee joints. Treatment is prescribed to alleviate the condition and relieve the inflammatory process.
Due to the poor diagnostic ability to determine the disease in the initial stages, you should periodically check the condition of the knee joint yourself. You need to lie on your stomach and pull your heel towards your buttock as much as possible. A healthy person will perform it without difficulty, feeling only the tension of the muscles on the front surface of the thigh.
In the initial stages of changes in the condition of the knee hyaline cartilage, when performing such an exercise, discomfort or sharp pain occurs. A slight muscle spasm may occur, which disappears when the leg is gradually returned to its original position. In such conditions, it is necessary to contact a traumatologist.
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The main types of diagnostic methods include:
Gonarthrosis of the knee joint can be bilateral or affects one knee, in which case they are divided into:
Sometimes the disease is detected by examining other pathological processes or by viewing images of various injuries. X-ray photographs show a decrease in the clearance between the cartilages of the knee joint and changes in the condition of the articular surface. Small spikes or depressions appear, which indicates the initial stage of grade 1 gonarthrosis.
Normally, all articular surfaces are smooth without any changes.
If the symptoms of gonarthrosis are stable and there are no visible changes on X-ray images, patients are referred for other types of diagnostic examination. For example, an in-depth examination of CT or MRI reveals changes in cartilage tissue and primary disorders of bone tissue.
Treatment of grade 1 gonarthrosis of the knee joint is prescribed immediately after diagnosis. At this stage, the disease is highly treatable (if the medicine is chosen correctly). The changes that begin are reversible and, with timely comprehensive treatment, are completely restored.
The treatment process for grade 1 gonarthrosis includes certain stages:
Correctly selected medicine and a set of treatment procedures can completely restore knees affected by grade 1 gonarthrosis, subject to conscientious adherence to all recommendations.
To prevent gonarthrosis, you should adhere to the following rules:
The first degree of gonarthrosis is the first stage of a complex disease. Conservative complex treatment of gonarthrosis at this stage allows you to stop the pathological process. Consulting specialists and following recommendations will help you avoid serious diseases of the knee joints.
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Osteoarthritis is a chronic joint damage that constantly progresses and gradually causes cartilage destruction, narrowing of the joint space, bone deformation, and ultimately causes movement disorders up to its absence. Arthrosis of the 1st degree of the hip joint and its treatment is one of the most important problems for modern rheumatology.
The hip joint is considered one of the most “loaded” in the human body. Therefore, pain appears most often in the hip joint.
Many people try not to pay attention to painful sensations, but they may turn out to be a symptom of the initial stage of the disease.
Osteoarthritis at various stages is detected in a third of people over 25 years of age, and with age its frequency increases to 80%. If improperly treated or not treated, the disease leads to disability.
During arthrosis there are several stages. Arthrosis of the hip joint 1st degree is the initial form of the disease. In this case, a gradual thinning of the cartilage develops, microcracks and tears appear on its surface. Synovial fluid changes its composition and can no longer fully protect the articular surfaces from friction and trauma. Bone growths develop - osteophytes, which aggravate cartilage damage.
Treatment of arthrosis in the initial stages is most effective and can prevent the development of the disease.
Most people report pain in the joint that appears during heavy exercise or immediately after it. Pain can also occur in the area of the buttocks, lower back, groin and knee, since at the initial stage of the pathological process the pain is caused by spasm and muscle tension. After rest, the pain usually goes away. There may be stiffness in movements in the morning, but it does not exceed half an hour. Pain at rest does not bother me. There is often a crunch in the joints. People with arthrosis are weather dependent, since changes in atmospheric pressure affect intra-articular pressure and can cause discomfort.
To clarify the diagnosis, you need to take an x-ray.
The following radiological signs of grade 1 coxarthrosis are distinguished:
There are 2 main methods in the treatment of coxarthrosis: conservative and surgical. In the early stages, there is no need to resort to surgery, because any intervention is a huge stress for the body.
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Main goals of treatment:
Most often, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of arthrosis - diclofenac, indomethacin, ibuprofen, nimesulide, ketorolac, etc.
These drugs are very effective in relieving pain and reducing inflammation, but do not in any way affect the cause of the disease.
NSAIDs have a strong damaging effect on the gastric mucosa and require additional prescription of drugs that reduce the production of hydrochloric acid in the stomach (omeprazole, lansoprazole). Therefore, NSAIDs should be used only during an exacerbation and under the cover of omeprazole.
Drugs that dilate blood vessels are very often used in the treatment of grade 1 arthrosis of the hip joint. These agents improve blood flow in the affected area, help normalize the nutrition of articular cartilage and relax small vessels, which contributes to its recovery. Medicines in this group include pentoxifylline, cinnarizine, and theonicol.
To relax spasmed muscles, muscle relaxants are used - tizanidine, tolperisone. Relieving spasm reduces pain and helps normalize movements.
Treatment of grade 1 coxarthrosis of the hip joint is most effective with drugs that restore the structure of the affected cartilage (chondroprotectors). For this purpose, hyaluronic acid preparations, chondroitin sulfate, and glucosamine (Dona, Artra) are used. It should be noted that treatment with chondroprotectors must be long-term (at least 3-4 courses, which is about 1.5 years) for a lasting result to appear. It is especially important that chondroprotectors affect the very cause of the disease, and not just eliminate the symptoms. It is very important to start treatment at the earliest stage, since in stage 3 arthrosis, chondroprotectors are practically ineffective and surgical treatment is required.
Treatment of grade 1 arthrosis of the hip joint with hormonal drugs is used in severe cases. In this case, steroid hormones may be prescribed in the form of tablets and intra-articular injections. Intra-articular injections of drugs are a very effective method of relieving pain and inflammation, but many experts believe that the harm from such an intervention outweighs the possible benefits.
For local treatment, gels, creams, ointments, lotions with medications (most often with NSAIDs), as well as distracting agents are used. The most effective are products such as Fastum-gel and Voltaren emulgel. Distracting agents include warming ointments, rubbing, alcohol solutions with menthol and anesthetics (menovazin). It should be remembered that local treatment cannot be the main one, since it only eliminates the symptoms.
You can read about the use of folk remedies in the treatment of arthrosis of the hip joint here...
The main physiotherapeutic methods for treating arthrosis are:
Physiotherapeutic treatment is recommended to be used during the interictal period to prolong remission.
Massage is an effective method of treating arthrosis of the 1st degree. They usually massage the spine and the affected limb, trying to spare the joint. Massage helps relax muscles, improve tissue nutrition and relieve tension.
In the initial stages of the disease, the use of therapeutic baths is indicated: sulfide, radon and iodine-bromine. They have a positive effect on the cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine systems and have a general strengthening effect.
During remission, you can use various types of heat therapy (paraffin, ozokerite) and therapeutic mud (silt, peat).
One of the main areas of treatment is physical therapy, also known as gymnastics. All exercises should be performed with reduced load on the affected joint: in water, sitting or lying down. Swimming is the optimal form of exercise for pain in the hip joint.
When performing exercises, you need to handle the affected joint carefully. Do not try to move too actively or forcefully, as this may aggravate the condition. If any movements cause sharp pain, you should stop performing them immediately. Before and after charging, you need to gently massage the joint area to improve blood flow.
In physical therapy, the main thing is regularity, so exercise should take pride of place in your life.
The main directions in the prevention of joint diseases are normalization of weight and the correct mode of physical activity.
It has been proven that losing 5 kilograms of weight reduces the risk of osteoarthritis by 50%.
Excessive physical activity causes premature wear of cartilage tissue, so you need to be very careful when playing sports. Lack of stress, for example, due to a sedentary lifestyle, also negatively affects the joint, as muscle atrophy and weakening of ligaments develop. Therefore, everyone needs dosed physical exercises, if possible selected by a professional trainer or physiotherapist. In addition, wearing orthopedic shoes is important for the prevention of coxarthrosis. The right shoes significantly reduce the load not only on the joints of the lower limb, but also on the spine.
What is grade 3 arthrosis? This is the last stage of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joint. The disease is characterized by severe symptoms and the development of irreversible changes. The main manifestations are persistent pain and impaired motor function. The most effective treatment method in this situation is surgery.
Arthrosis of the third degree refers to a pronounced degenerative process in joint tissues, including cartilage and bones. Pathological changes developing in the joint are irreversible. At this stage of the disease, a person is assigned a disability, since the function of movement is significantly impaired.
The degenerative-dystrophic process consists of changing the properties of cartilage tissue and destroying it. At stage 3 of the disease, bone tissue is also involved, which leads to the development of joint immobility - ankylosis. The absence of a shock-absorbing cartilage layer causes the bony surfaces of the joint to rub against each other, which causes severe pain.
Most often, the hip and knee joints are affected by pathology. In women, arthrosis of the third degree develops faster than in men.
Arthrosis of the joints of the 3rd degree has a pronounced clinical picture. The main complaint of patients is pain. Unlike arthrosis of previous degrees, pain occurs not only at the moment of movement, but also at rest. This is due to the constant inflammatory process in the joint. The pain is aching in nature and reaches significant intensity.
Motor function is almost completely limited, not only due to pain, but also due to the fusion of bone surfaces with each other. When the hip joints are affected, a person acquires a duck's gait - he walks, waddling from one foot to the other. When the knees are affected, a person walks with his legs constantly straightened, and there are difficulties when climbing stairs.
Externally, the joints look deformed and enlarged compared to healthy ones. With the development of the inflammatory process, swelling of the soft tissues is noted. When performing movements, a crunching sound is clearly audible due to the contact of bones. Due to the lack of cushioning by cartilage, movements are no longer smooth.
The diagnosis of third degree arthrosis is made on the basis of characteristic complaints, clinical manifestations, and X-ray data. The x-ray reveals the characteristic signs of stage 3 disease:
If there is doubt about the diagnosis, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is performed.
How to treat arthrosis of the 3rd degree - for any degree of the disease, complex therapy is required. Since the third degree is irreversible, the only effective treatment method is surgical. How can stage 3 arthrosis be cured without surgery? In fact, this is not possible, since the tissues of the joint are completely destroyed. To restore movement function, it is necessary to replace the destroyed joint with an artificial one. All other treatment methods are symptomatic.
Treatment of grade 3 arthrosis with medications is aimed at eliminating pain and suppressing the inflammatory process. For this, different groups of drugs are prescribed:
The tactics of drug therapy are determined by the attending physician depending on the prevailing symptoms.
Treatment with folk remedies is only symptomatic and in the third degree of arthrosis does not give a noticeable positive effect. Various tinctures and compresses based on medicinal plants are used. Homemade recipes should never replace treatment prescribed by a doctor.
The main and most effective way to treat severe arthrosis. For mild deformities, arthroplasty surgery is performed while preserving the native articular tissues. If the pathological process has completely destroyed the joint, endoprosthetics is performed - replacing the joint with an artificial mechanism.
Gymnastic exercises are necessary for constant training of joints and maintaining motor function for as long as possible. Physical activity improves blood supply and nutrition to joint structures, relieves pain. Treatment with gymnastics for the third degree of arthrosis is carried out in a lighter version. Exercises are done in a lying or sitting position, with limited load. A set of exercises is prepared by a specialist in exercise therapy.
Water aerobics is useful for severe arthrosis. Exercises in water relieve pain well and are easily tolerated by patients. At the same time, the limbs are massaged.
Physiotherapy is also symptomatic. The following methods are used:
Physiotherapy helps improve blood circulation and reduce muscle and joint pain. Conducted in courses of 10-15 procedures per year.
The last stage of arthrosis is an incurable condition. Patients lose their ability to work and become disabled. It is possible to restore limb function only after joint replacement.
Arthrosis of the joints of the 3rd degree is the final stage of the disease, characterized by irreversible changes. Patients become disabled if left untreated. The only effective way to maintain a healthy lifestyle is endoprosthetics.
Arthrosis (deforming arthrosis, popular name - salt deposition) is a chronic disease of the joints of a degenerative-dystrophic nature, in which destruction of articular cartilage, the joint capsule, and deformation of the bone itself occur.
It should be noted that arthrosis is a whole group of joint diseases that have different origins and similar development mechanisms. The most common arthrosis of large joints is:
These are the most severe types of arthrosis.
Arthrosis of small joints is less common. More common are deforming arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the hands, as well as metacarpophalangeal joints of the thumbs. Patients note pain in the interphalangeal joints, a decrease in their mobility, and the appearance of seals near the joints (Heberden's and Bouchard's nodes). This type of arthrosis is more common in old age. Arthrosis of the foot joints is common.
Polyarthrosis, or generalized arthrosis, is characterized by damage to several joints at once.
Arthrosis of the joints of the spine - spondyloarthrosis - belongs to the group of diseases of the spine, although it has a development mechanism similar to other arthrosis.
The main clinical symptom of arthrosis is joint pain and decreased mobility. Specific symptoms are determined by the stage of arthrosis and depend on the degree of destructive changes in the joint.
Arthrosis is usually divided into primary and secondary. Primary (idiopathic) arthrosis is a consequence of disruption of recovery processes and increased degeneration in the cartilage tissue of the joint without any deviations in the functioning of the whole organism. Secondary arthrosis occurs as a result of other pathological processes in the body, or in a joint already damaged by some external influence, with partial destruction of the articular surfaces.
Most often, traumatic arthrosis is diagnosed in young patients. And in older patients it is not always possible to draw a clear line between primary and secondary arthrosis.
Although the exact cause of arthrosis cannot be determined, the factors contributing to its occurrence and development are well known.
The following types of reasons can be identified that contribute to the development of primary and secondary deforming arthrosis.
The following hereditary disorders have been identified that can cause the development of primary arthrosis:
It is also noted that deforming arthrosis of the interphalangeal joints of the upper extremities occurs predominantly in women and is inherited through the female line.
Secondary arthrosis is a consequence of damage to the joint. These damages can be caused by various factors.
This group of factors includes various joint injuries, intra-articular bone fractures, as a result of which the structure of the joint is disrupted. The same result is caused by constant microtrauma of the joints as a result of excessive constant loads, both static and dynamic (for example, in athletes). Obesity also leads to overload and injury to joints.
Another factor that has a negative impact on the joints (primarily the hip joints) is incorrect posture.
The structure of the joint can also be disrupted by surgery.
Arthrosis can be a consequence of inflammatory diseases of the joints (acute and chronic arthritis, synovitis, primary aseptic necrosis of bone tissue, etc.)
Metabolic disorders, endocrine system diseases, mineral deficiency in the body.
Various metabolic disorders, lack of calcium, phosphorus and other minerals, vitamins and microelements cause changes in the composition of bone and cartilage tissue, synovial fluid, which leads to disruption of recovery processes and gradual destruction of the composition.
The development of arthrosis begins with the destruction of cartilage. It is believed that at the beginning there is a circulatory disorder in the capillaries of the subcartilaginous layer of the periosteum. Since the nutrition of cartilage occurs due to the supply of nutrients from the intra-articular fluid and adjacent bone tissue, poor circulation leads to the fact that the cartilage gradually loses its elasticity, becomes thinner, cracks appear on it, the smoothness of the articular surfaces is disrupted, the amount of synovial fluid decreases, providing gliding in the joint. The result is pain and crunching when moving . The width of the joint space gradually decreases, and osteophyte bone spines .
Ultimately, the joint becomes deformed and the range of motion in it decreases. This is how involutive arthrosis develops, associated with the aging of the body. The development of this form of arthrosis usually occurs gradually over many years.
Other forms of arthrosis of large joints, for example, post-traumatic, post-infectious, metabolic, intoxication, have slightly different development mechanisms, but as a result we get similar changes in the joint.
In Russia, the classification of arthrosis based on clinical and radiological signs, proposed by N. Kosinskaya (1961), is considered “classical”. In accordance with it, three stages of disease development are distinguished. It corresponds to a classification according to the degree of preservation of working capacity (according to A.I. Nesterov), distinguishing 3 degrees of arthrosis:
Let us consider in more detail the clinical symptoms and signs of arthrosis at each of the indicated stages.
In the initial stage of the disease, in the morning, after rest, there is stiffness and difficulty moving in the joints, which gradually disappears some time after the start of movement. There may be some limitation of mobility in the joint. “Starting” pain (pain when starting to move after a long period of rest) appears periodically. With sudden movements the joint crunches, but there is no pain when moving. Pain at this stage of arthrosis appears only with significant and prolonged stress, and subsides after rest. At rest and with light exertion there is no pain. At this stage of the disease, patients rarely see a doctor.
An X-ray with grade 1 arthrosis does not show any special changes in the joint; sometimes small osteophytes may be visible at the edges of the joint, the joint space is slightly narrowed.
With further development of arthrosis, the pain becomes more significant and becomes acute. A distinct crunching sound in the joint appears with any movement, there is a noticeable limitation of mobility in the joint (contracture), functional shortening of the limb, disturbances in the biomechanics of movements, but the mobility of the joint is still preserved. At this stage, there is a noticeable increase in the starting pains, they become acute and longer lasting. Under the influence of daily physical activity, constant fatigue appears, a feeling of pressure in the affected joints, and so-called “mechanical pain” occurs, caused by a decrease in the shock-absorbing abilities of the cartilage tissues of the joint.
The destruction in the joint is already quite significant, the joints are already beginning to partially deform.
Radiographs show noticeable osteophytes, a narrowing of the joint space by 2-3 times compared to the norm, sclerosis of the subchondral bone and the formation of cystic cavities in the epiphyseal zone are observed.
Arthrosis of the 2nd degree is characterized by decreased ability to work and the inability to perform certain types of work.
Arthrosis of the 3rd degree is a severe, advanced stage of the disease. At this stage the following are observed:
The axis of the limb is deformed, varus or valgus curvature of the legs is noticeable (that is, in the shape of the letter “O” or “X”).
On radiographs with grade 3 arthrosis, an almost complete disappearance of the joint space, pronounced deformation of the articular surfaces, and extensive multiple marginal osteophytes are observed. Articular mice and calcification of paraarticular tissues can be detected.
In grade 3, the disease has progressed very far, and often it is already the cause of permanent disability. It appears as follows:
The photographs show the destruction of intra-articular structures (ligaments and menisci), as well as complete abrasion of cartilage and signs of sclerosis (replacement of functioning organs and structures with connective tissue).
The state of complete destruction of a joint with arthrosis , when the joint completely ceases to function, is often classified as a separate stage - 4th degree of arthrosis. There is a so-called “joint block” - an acute pain syndrome in which even limited movement in the affected joint is impossible. The fourth degree of arthrosis is accompanied by unbearable pain in the joints, which cannot be relieved even with strong painkillers and intensive physiotherapy. Complete ankylosis (fusion of the joint) or neoarthrosis (formation of a false joint between the displaced ends of the bones) is possible. Independent movement in both cases is almost impossible.
The photographs show rough sclerosis of the articulating surfaces with pronounced cystic clearings, fusion of the connecting bones in the area of the joint space. The development of the disease to this stage almost always means disability, which can only be prevented by implantation of an artificial joint prosthesis.
It is better to start treating arthrosis as early as possible, when the first signs appear - crunching in the joints, difficulty moving. At this stage, drugs are useful - chondroprotectors that improve the structure of cartilage tissue, as well as vitamin and mineral complexes.
Physical therapy, proper nutrition, and preventive measures are important. It should be noted that the prevention of arthrosis is of great importance to prevent exacerbation of the disease.
When the first painful sensations appear, use the NANOPLAST forte therapeutic plaster - at this stage of arthrosis , the plaster allows you to slow down the degenerative processes and speed up the recovery processes in the joint, which will help prevent the development of the disease.
Although it is no longer possible to completely cure grade 2-3 arthrosis, the process of its development can be significantly slowed down. Treatment of arthrosis at this stage involves the following steps:
In the acute period, treatment of arthrosis begins with pain relief. For this purpose, non-hormonal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and analgesics are used. Intra-articular injections of corticosteroids are possible. It is necessary to reduce the load on the joint; you should not walk or stand for a long time, or lift heavy objects.
After relieving the acute pain syndrome, the main task becomes to ensure, as far as possible, the activation of restoration processes in the joint itself and periarticular tissues: improving blood circulation, increasing metabolism, eliminating inflammatory processes. Chondroprotectors, vasodilators, as well as therapeutic exercises and physiotherapy are prescribed. The new highly effective drug NANOPLAST forte can also help at this stage - it allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs.
At this stage of the disease, the joint is almost completely destroyed. In this case, there is only one way out - surgery and replacement of the diseased joint with an endoprosthesis. The endoprosthesis significantly improves joint mobility and allows the patient to resume an active life, at least without pain.
Based on the results of clinical trials, the therapeutic plaster NANOPLAST forte has shown high effectiveness in the treatment of arthrosis . This patch can be used both in the initial stages of the disease and in severe forms of arthrosis.
But it is important to understand that while in the initial stages of the disease NANOPLAST FORITE can be effective as a monotherapy, then in the advanced stage complex treatment is required. Without the use of other medications, treatment of grade 2-3 arthrosis, especially in the acute stage, will not be effective. With complex treatment, the patch enhances the effect of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, which makes it possible to reduce their dosage, and if the pain syndrome decreases, cancel them altogether.
NANOPLAST forte allows you to relieve pain and inflammation, improve blood circulation in the affected area, and reduce the dose of painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. It has no side effects, is not addictive and combines well with other treatment methods.
For arthrosis of the joints, the therapeutic plaster NANOPLAST forte is applied to the diseased joint. The application method depends on the type of arthrosis. To relieve acute symptoms, it is recommended to use a medicinal patch for 3 to 5 days. The duration of the course of treatment for osteoarthritis of the joints is from 15 days according to clinical studies. It is usually recommended to use the patch in the morning for 12 hours, but it can also be used at night.
High efficiency, unique composition, long-term (up to 12 hours!) therapeutic effects, ease of use and affordable price make NANOPLAST forte the drug of choice in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the joints.