Along with arthritis, arthrosis is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in the second half of life.In the absence of timely and high-quality treatment, this disease can lead to limb disability.
What is osteoarthritis?
Arthrosis is a disease of the joints, which is based on the process of degenerative changes in the cartilage that develop as a result of deterioration of its nutrition (trophism) or disruption of its configuration, for example, after an injury.
Arthritis is a disease characterized not only by degenerative processes occurring in the joint, but also by its inflammation.
Deformative osteoarthritis is arthrosis, one of the manifestations of which is the spread of bone tissue, leading to deformation of the ends of the bones that form the joint.
Periarthrosis is a dystrophic process in which degenerative changes are observed not only in the joint itself, but also in the tissues adjacent to it (for example, tendons, ligaments).
Hemarthrosis is bleeding in the joint cavity.
Causes of arthrosis
The main cause of the development of arthrosis is a metabolic disorder that occurs in cartilage tissue.As a result, the cartilage loses its elasticity and begins to deteriorate gradually.
The causes of metabolic disorders and the development of degenerative changes in the joints are different.These can be:
- hormonal disorders,
- female,
- loss of proteoglycans from cartilage tissue,
- aging of the body,
- increased stress on the joints due to engaging in a certain type of activity or being overweight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, arthrosis of the ankle and foot can occur due to prolonged wearing of tight and uncomfortable shoes, including high heels.Changes in the joints of the hands are mainly observed in representatives of those professions where a significant part of the load falls on the hands (while arthrosis is much more common in women).
In addition, arthrosis of the knee, hip or ankle is provoked by various injuries (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Types and symptoms of arthrosis
Arthrosis is classified according to the degree of joint damage:
- The first degree - the joints retain their mobility, there are practically no visible changes on an x-ray.The patient may be bothered only by a slight tingling or a slight aching pain.
- 2nd degree - a person suffering from arthrosis experiences a feeling of discomfort in the joint area, mobility of the limbs is impaired, periodic pain becomes more pronounced and prolonged, early signs of joint deformation are detected on an x-ray or ultrasound.
- Level 3 - joint movements are limited, the patient experiences severe pain (even at rest), characteristic changes are observed on x-rays.
Sometimes experts also distinguish the fourth degree of arthrosis, characterized by severe pain and serious deformations of this area.
Rheumatoid arthritis
More often, this term refers to degenerative-destructive changes in the joints that developed as a result of another disease - rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis itself changes the configuration of articular surfaces, which leads to a violation of their congruence and deterioration of degenerative processes in articular and periarticular tissues.
Uncovertebral arthrosis
This is the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine.The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of this localization:
- pronounced crackling sound when turning the head,
- neck pain (especially after prolonged sitting or standing),
- headache,
- dizziness,
- blood pressure fluctuations.
X-ray examination can reveal subluxation of cervical joints.
In addition, arthrosis is distinguished:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- ankle joints (crushatron),
- other areas of the spine,
- temporomandibular joint etc.
How and with what to treat arthrosis?
Before you decide how to treat it at home, you should visit a doctor and determine the exact cause of this disease.To do this, the doctor usually examines the patient and prescribes a number of additional laboratory and instrumental tests, including various biochemical blood tests (for example, for reactions in the acute phase, the presence of rheumatoid factor, etc.), as well as radiographs, ultrasound, MRI or CT of the joints.If necessary, the examination is completed with diagnostic arthroscopy.
The doctor then makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate treatment for the joint.
On what principles is the treatment of arthrosis based?
- Eliminating the cause of the disease.In the case of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, the underlying disease is treated, achieving its stable remission.
- Normalization of joint nutrition, metabolism and blood circulation.For this purpose, chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid preparations, medications that improve local and systemic blood circulation, antiplatelet agents and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, for severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed that have a good analgesic effect.
Ointments, gels, creams that have an anti-inflammatory and distracting effect are applied locally to the joint area 2-3 times a day, compresses with dimexide are applied and frictions are used.
Physiotherapy
To relieve pain and inflammation, ultraviolet radiation in erythema doses, laser therapy, UHF, microwave, electro- and phonophoresis are widely used.In addition to physiotherapeutic procedures, regular therapeutic joint exercises and spa treatment are beneficial for arthrosis.
Surgical treatment
Usually this is a partial or total replacement of the joint or its plastic surgery.It can be performed traditionally, as well as using endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy.Operations are indicated in cases where conservative treatment does not give the desired effect, as well as in cases of severe joint deformation and loss of mobility.
Preventing
First of all, prevention of arthrosis includes diet, exercise and avoiding hypothermia.
diets
Nutrition for arthrosis does not require any serious restrictions.In general, this is a balanced diet, including all the main food groups, drinking enough fluids, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.Many experts recommend the periodic inclusion of jelly meat, rich juices and other similar dishes in the menu, unless they are contraindicated by a doctor.The only important limitation is the caloric content of the food.It is necessary to monitor your body weight, because excess weight accelerates the wear and tear of your joints.
Spicy and hot food in itself does not have a significant effect on arthrosis, but it should be remembered that many people suffering from this disease are forced to use sedatives and anti-inflammatory drugs, most of which negatively affect the stomach mucosa.It is also advised to limit foods that are rich in cholesterol and that lead to increased blood viscosity, so that the blood supply to the joint is not damaged.For these reasons, it is advisable to exclude such foods from the daily menu if you have arthrosis.
exercising
Exercise and physical activity improve blood circulation and blood supply to joint tissues, as well as strengthen muscles.The most beneficial exercises for osteoarthritis are swimming, walking and skiing.For coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis in combination with excess weight, cycling or exercise on an exercise bike has worked well.
Avoiding hypothermia
Joints "love" when a person dresses according to the weather, equally protecting all parts of the body from the cold.Any local hypothermia causes a weakening of the body's defenses, which can result in subsequent inflammation of the joints and the development of degenerative processes in them.