Arthrosis is a degenerative joint pathology, associated with cartilage tissue degeneration processes.As the disease progresses, the joint capsule, ligamentous apparatus, synovial membrane and nearby bony structures are also involved in the destructive process.
Prevalence of arthrosis
Among people with osteoarthritis, most are elderly.The disease after the age of 65 is not only the most diagnosed joint pathology, but also the main cause of loss of ability to work with subsequent disability.Moreover, in old age, the fairer sex mostly get sick, but in young people, the majority of those who get sick are men.
The incidence of osteoarthritis varies widely in different countries.It has not yet been possible to determine the reasons for the wide distribution of statistical data.
Causes and risk factors
Arthritis is a disease that can be primary or secondary.If there are no objective reasons for the development of pathology, they speak of the primary type.If it is possible to identify the causes of arthrosis, they speak of a secondary type.
Secondary arthrosis can be provoked by the following negative factors:
- traumatization of joints of various natures (frequent falls, sprains, bruises);
- chronic congenital tissue dysplasia;
- pathological changes in metabolic processes;
- various autoimmune pathologies;
- inflammatory processes of a non-specific nature in the joint area;
- some pathologies of the endocrine system;
- degenerative-dystrophic type processes that occur chronically;
- various diseases associated with excessive joint mobility associated with weak ligamentous apparatus;
- the presence of hemophilia;
- inflammatory processes of a specific type.
In addition to the direct causes that lead to the development of arthrosis, there are predisposing factors that do not cause the disease itself, but can increase the risk of its development.
These include:
- age over 55 years;
- the presence of excess weight, due to which the load on the joints increases;
- excessive load on any joint or group due to improper sports training, specific work that requires a long stay in one position;
- history of joint surgery;
- inheritance;
- hormonal changes in the female body during postmenopause;
- persistent hypothermia;
- spinal pathologies that are not treated;
- insufficient intake of useful micro- and macroelements from food.
Mechanism of development
The mechanism of the development of arthrosis is well known.The cartilage that provides normal contact between the two bones is of a smooth nature, without any lumps or roughness, which helps maintain normal movement in the joint.When the disease appears, the structure of the cartilage changes, becomes rough and defects appear on it, reducing the effectiveness of natural sliding.
Due to the acquired inequality, the cartilage is gradually damaged, in some places it starts to calcify and in some places it starts to ossify.In this case, it is possible to separate small particles that end up in the joint fluid and can damage the surrounding tissues.
As the pathology worsens, the joint may go into a state of chronic subluxation, which will significantly impair its motor function.
Diplomas
Doctors divide arthrosis into three main degrees:
- Graduate.It is characterized by the lack of a clear clinical picture.The patient may present rare complaints of pain in the affected joint, but generally does not consult a doctor.In this case, changes are observed in the ligamento-muscular apparatus and joint fluid, but there are still no visible deformations.
- degree II.The symptoms of arthrosis become more pronounced.The pain is characterized as tolerable, but occurring regularly.The patient consults the doctor because he notices a decrease in the quality of life.A characteristic cracking sound may be heard in the affected joint.Changes are observed in nearby muscle structures, as nerve conduction is interrupted.
- degree III.It is characterized by pronounced symptoms.The articular cartilage is very thin and cysts, foci of calcification or ossification can be found in it.The ligamentous apparatus becomes shorter, which leads to increased mobility in the affected area, which is accompanied by restriction due to a pronounced inflammatory process.The metabolism of surrounding tissues suffers, which can lead to muscular dystrophy.
In any case, the patient will need clarification of the diagnosis from the attending physician.This is due to the specifics of the course of the disease, which is characterized by phases of remission and exacerbation, alternately replacing each other.
Pain due to illness
Pain due to arthrosis is the most frequent complaint with which patients consult a doctor.Their characteristic is their connection with time of day, weather and physical activity.
In most patients, the pain worsens with walking, running, or other type of physical activity that targets the affected joint.As soon as the load stops, the pain gradually decreases.Their development is explained by the fact that the cartilage is no longer able to perform its shock absorbing functions.
At night, discomfort most often appears as a result of stagnation of blood in the veins.Another reason is the increase in intraosseous pressure during this period.
One of the main diagnostic criteria is the presence of so-called initial pain, which bothers the patient when he has just started active movement.The initial pain usually subsides if physical activity continues.Their appearance is explained by the presence of articular deposits (detritus), which irritate the nerve endings.Once these deposits are removed from the nerves, the pain disappears.
Symptoms
In addition to pain, doctors identify other signs of arthrosis, which may indicate the presence of pathology.
These include:
- Appearance of painful and crackling sound.Pain appears mainly if a person has suffered from hypothermia.At first, the crackling will be barely noticeable in the ear, but as the disease progresses without therapy, it will become audible to people around you.
- Reduced ability to move.In the early stage of the development of the pathology, there is no decrease in mobility.However, the longer the disease remains untreated, the more severe the limitation of joint movements becomes.This is explained by a narrowing of the joint space and spasms of nearby muscle structures.
- Deformation of joints.It is characteristic of the late stage of arthrosis, but it is also an important indicator of the progress of the disease.During this period, it is already very difficult to treat the disease.
Which doctor treats arthrosis?
Who treats osteoarthritis?In most cases, therapy is performed by several specialists at once.First of all, an arthrologist - a joint specialist - is involved.In addition, the patient will also need to visit an orthopedist.If the disease is a consequence of an inflammatory process, then it is recommended to visit a rheumatologist.
If necessary, other specialists may be involved during the treatment period.More often you need to turn to the services of traumatologists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and surgeons.
Diagnosing
Treatment of arthrosis of the joints begins only after the diagnosis is confirmed and the extent of the pathology is determined.First of all, the doctor interviews the patient in detail and performs an examination.The presence of complaints and characteristic deformations indicates that the disease exists.
A mandatory way to confirm the diagnosis is radiography of the affected joint.If the disease has affected the knee, then a photograph of the knee is taken;if the pathology is found in the hand, then X-ray signs of the disease are specifically sought there.
Diagnosis using radiographs does not always provide sufficient results to diagnose the patient.In this case, he can be sent for an MRI (this will allow assessment of the state of soft tissues and their involvement in the pathological process) or CT (this will allow drawing conclusions about the state of bone and cartilage structures, the involvement of nearby anatomical formations in the pathological process).
Treatment
How to treat arthrosis of the joints?The choice of the right therapeutic technique depends on the severity of the symptoms and the stage of the disease.
The doctor chooses the treatment regimen after assessing the general condition of the patient and the course of the disease.Both conservative and surgical treatment methods can be used.
Treatment
How to treat the disease if it is preferable not to undergo surgery, but to use medications?
Conservative therapy is suitable only for patients at an early stage of pathology formation and will include the use of three main groups of drugs:
- glucocorticosteroids- hormonal drugs that effectively alleviate the inflammatory process during an exacerbation are injected into the joint cavity;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,which are mainly used as injections and are injected into the muscles near the joint or directly into the vein.But doctors can also recommend tablets, although this option for taking NSAIDs is undesirable due to the negative effect on the gastrointestinal tract;
- chondroprotectors- drugs of this group can reduce the processes of cartilage tissue destruction and improve regeneration;they are especially effective in the initial stages of disease formation.
surgery
How to cure arthrosis if the disease has already gone too far?In this case, conservative therapy will be ineffective, and doctors can only recommend surgical intervention to the patient.
Today, in most cases, endoprosthetics are performed.During the operation, the real joint is replaced with a prosthesis that has all the functions of a healthy joint.
In some cases, palliative treatment options are offered, the main purpose of which is to reduce the load on the articular surfaces.
exercising
In the early stages of the disease, it is not only treated with medications, but also with physiotherapy.Physical exercises are an important phase of therapy, which helps maintain the functionality of the joint and reduces the likelihood of further progression of the disease.
Depending on the severity of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the patient, the group of exercises is selected individually.The doctor must take into account the localization of the arthrosis, which allows the most effective treatment of the affected tissue.
Self-study without medical supervision is not recommended, especially at the initial stage.Exercises should be chosen so that they are as smooth as possible, without sudden movements.
Exercise therapy classes are effective only if the patient devotes some time to performing the recommended complex every day.
Traditional methods
Many people suffering from arthrosis refuse to use medications or undergo surgery until the end.In this case, alternative medicines are used as a substitute for medicines.
The most used plants in therapy are:
- Kalanchoe;
- ginger;
- horseradish;
- bay leaves;
- garlic;
- cinnamon;
- ponytail and others.
They are used in the form of tinctures, decoctions and poultices on the affected area.It is important to keep in mind that the complete treatment of the disease using only home recipes is impossible.It is better if traditional therapy is combined with traditional medicine.
Preventing
What should be done to reduce the likelihood of developing arthrosis in old age?Simple preventive measures are available to everyone.
Recommended:
- Moderate daily physical activity: walking, cycling, performing simple sets of exercises such as exercises, and so on;
- respecting the basic principles of a healthy diet: eat often, but little by little, avoid fast food, excessive food, heavy and fatty foods, consumption of many spices;
- weight control: weight gain leads to increased stress on the joints, which can lead to the development of arthrosis;
- timely treatment of chronic diseases that lead to metabolic disorders;
- the use of vitamin-mineral complexes if the amount of nutrients supplied by food is considered insufficient.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Many people, due to the similarity in sound, confuse arthritis and arthrosis.However, these are completely different diseases.
Arthritis is not called dystrophy and degeneration in joint tissues, but any inflammatory reaction that can develop in the joint cavity, regardless of its cause.Inflammation most often affects not only the joint, but also the muscles closest to it, bones and ligamentous structures.Arthritis pain is not associated with physical activity;it can disturb the patient even at rest, and there is no crackling in the joints at all.
In most cases, it is impossible to independently distinguish arthritis from arthrosis, since the main symptom is pain, and patients rarely have an idea about its characteristics in each of the pathologies.
It is better to entrust the establishment of an accurate diagnosis to the attending physician, so as not to make a mistake with the treatment and subsequent prevention of the disease.
Arthrosis is a serious pathology that can lead to disability if the patient does not consult a doctor in time.At the first signs of the disease, it is recommended to contact a specialist so that he can confirm the diagnosis and choose the most optimal treatment.
If you manage to catch the disease at an early stage of development, you will probably be able to do it even without surgical intervention, limiting yourself to conservative treatment.