Arthrosis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process of the articular cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, the cartilage loses its elasticity.The disease progresses if the synthesis of joint cells is impaired.

Variety

Depending on the cause, primary and secondary arthrosis are distinguished.

Primary osteoarthritis.The initial stage of a chronic disease, in which gradual damage to the cartilaginous tissue of the joint occurs.Diagnosed at age 45.Primary arthrosis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected, since the risk of disability is high.In the initial stages, arthrosis is difficult to detect, because the disease manifests itself in a hidden form.If the patient has crunching in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), contact an orthopedic doctor immediately.In the initial stages it is possible to avoid the destruction of cartilaginous tissue and prevent the further development of arthrosis.

Secondary arthrosis.It develops against the background of changes in the metabolic process, for example, when blood circulation and lymph outflow are impaired.Hormonal imbalances often cause osteoarthritis of the hip joint in women.

Reasons

The disease develops at age 45, rarely in younger individuals.Its development is influenced by:

• physical damage to bones and ligaments.They cause large tissue damage, which can lead to arthrosis of the knee joint;
• congenital anomalies in the development of joint tissues, which increase the likelihood of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• altered metabolism.Causes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if they were a foreign object;
• inflammatory joint diseases.For example, arthritis;
• tuberculosis of bone tissue;
• diseases of the endocrine system.For example, diabetes;
• degenerative diseases.For example, Perthes disease;
• diseases that cause weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent hemorrhages in the joint area;
• excess body weight.It creates additional stress on the joint and causes premature wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, an improper exercise regime or carrying heavy objects.
• inheritance;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• incorrect diet;
• interventions on joint tissues.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

Signs of progression of osteoarthritis:

• traffic restrictions
• aching pain
• widening of the joint tissue
• increase in temperature of the affected area
• swelling of the joint tissue, presence of compaction and swelling
• severe pain in the evening
• creaking when moving a joint, sensation of bone friction

Stages of development of arthrosis

• First.There are no pronounced symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Second.Joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Severe but tolerable pain develops.When moving the joint you will hear a creaking sound.The functioning of muscle tissue is compromised.
• Third.The joint tissue becomes thinner and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors note significant deformation of the joint.The ligaments decrease in length and joint mobility is affected.The contracture progresses.Increases the likelihood of subluxations.

Complications

If osteoarthritis is not treated in time, the joint will collapse completely.This will affect the biomechanics of the spine and hernias may occur.Osteoarthritis progresses to other joint tissues.Then the following complications arise:

• deformation of the joint tissue
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

The first disability group is assigned to patients with reduced motor activity.The second - with partial loss of motor function.The third group has minor restrictions on motor activity.That is, they can move independently, but slowly and with frequent stops to rest.

Which doctor should I contact?

At the first symptoms of arthrosis, contact an arthrologist.He specializes in joint treatment.If your condition is serious, make an appointment with an orthopedist.

Diagnostics

First of all, the simplest method is used - X-ray examination of the joint.They then do an ultrasound.And the most reliable and informative diagnostic methods are magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

An important diagnostic point is the collection of anamnesis and clinical examination of the patient.Symptoms will help the doctor correctly determine the diagnosis, even if an MRI cannot be done.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study the structure of joint tissues in detail and detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The result is provided in digital format or in the form of a photograph.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Thanks to radio waves and magnetic radiation, it allows you to see a clear image of the tissue.The procedure lasts 10-20 minutes.After 30 minutes the patient can receive the test report.

Ultrasound of the joint is prescribed for rheumatological diseases and injuries.The procedure is based on the use of ultrasound waves.The scanner records the acoustic vibrations and the result appears on the monitor.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

Once the diagnosis is made, a further examination and treatment plan is drawn up.Further examination is needed to treat not the effect, but the cause.It consists of carrying out tests to identify the etiology of the disease.For example, in rheumatoid arthritis or gout the amount of uric acid will be greater.

The course of treatment depends on the stage of development of the disease.First, pain and inflammation are relieved.Physiotherapeutic procedures and massage are then used.Medicines help relieve pain, but do not prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

The doctor can also prescribe treatment in a sanatorium resort and recommend a set of physical exercises.In the final stages of the development of the disease resort to operations.If there are no complications, this method can restore the motor activity of the joint tissue.

Pharmacological treatment

For arthrosis the following groups of drugs are prescribed.

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Necessary for emergency relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve anabolism in cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction and eliminate swelling.
• Vasodilators.Used to relieve spasm of small vessels and improve blood flow.
• Painkillers.
• Antispasmodics.Used when muscle spasms occur.
• Analgesics.Helps to get rid of pain.
• Ointments.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and relieve the patient's condition.

Injections into the joint

Therapeutic drug blockades are an effective method of treating pain due to osteoarthritis.Their advantages:

• reduction of muscle tension
• rapid pain-relieving effect
• relieve inflammation
• long-term therapeutic effect
• restoration of joint mobility.

For pharmacological blocks, antiseptics and antibiotics are used, and hyaluronic acid injections are administered to protect the cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate the restoration of cartilage.It is recommended to administer 3-5 injections with an interval of 5-7 days.

Physiotherapy for joint arthrosis

• Shock wave therapy.This method uses high frequency current.Shock wave therapy for joint arthrosis restores the permeability of endothelial cells, eliminates joint inflammation and swelling, improves blood flow in the affected area and stimulates reparative processes.
• Kinesiotaping.Elastic bands called tape are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.Furthermore, kinesio taping for joint arthritis facilitates blood circulation and lymphatic flow.
• Manual therapy for arthrosis is effective as part of a complex treatment.Improves the mobility of diseased joints and prevents atrophic processes.Manual therapy relieves pain, increases joint mobility and eliminates muscle spasms.It is prescribed for the initial and intermediate stages of osteoarthritis.
• Laser therapy for arthrosis relieves pain, has an anti-edematous effect, relieves inflammation and reduces the risk of surgery in the later stages of the disease.Laser treatment of osteoarthritis restores muscle function, relieves muscle tension, reduces blood cholesterol levels, increases the ability of tissues to regenerate, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.Helps relieve sharp pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for osteoarthritis should not focus only on the damaged area - this will increase inflammation.The masseur performs stroking and rotating movements in the spinal area, massages the lumbar and sacral area, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs light stroking and pinching.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches inject beneficial enzymes into the blood: the patient's blood thins, the blood supply to the affected area improves, the elasticity of the joints increases and the pain disappears.Treatment with leeches for arthrosis is contraindicated in people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medications and physiotherapy, other treatment methods are often used for osteoarthritis.

• Physical therapy.You can do therapeutic exercises with little or no pain.Physical exercises for arthrosis include static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of the former.They must be performed at a slow and smooth pace: sudden movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.External use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a healing and analgesic effect.Compresses with medicinal bile can be applied if there is no external damage to the skin.
• Vitamins.Take vitamins of groups A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee braces.Necessary to fix the joint.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthoses.These are bandages - orthopedic products designed to relieve stress on the knee joint.They stop the development of pathological processes.They are used to limit unwanted joint movements.
• Acupuncture.Relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles by inserting them into points 9 to 18. In case of gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for osteoarthritis.Helps quickly restore knee function.Ozone molecules relieve inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Platelets with plasma are isolated from it and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.In everyday life it happens like this: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.The same effect is achieved in the knee joint by injecting these drugs.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined regeneration method that began to be used quite recently.The stem cells are removed from the fat and mixed with plasma, as the cells themselves are quite dry and need to be diluted.Next, the injection is injected into the knee joint.One injection is enough, which gives an effect for 4-5 years.

Prevention of osteoarthritis

To reduce the risk of complications and prevent destruction of joint tissue, it is recommended:

• give up alcohol, smoking and drugs
• do not overcool the joints
• reduce the amount of smoked and semi-finished products
• eat more vegetables, fruits, grains and cartilage (gelatin)
• avoid excess body weight
• avoid excessive stress
• perform preventive exercises
• do physical exercise every day
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a course of vitamins once every 6 months
• undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are performed for osteoarthritis?

It is necessary to pass the joint minimum tests.These are uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma, and a complete blood count.If infectious symptoms are suspected, a puncture is made from the knee or hip joint.

Is it possible to warm joints with arthrosis?

If you suffer from osteoarthritis, it is best not to warm up your joints before seeing your doctor.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Is it possible to play sports with arthrosis?

Skiing and cycling are useful for osteoarthritis.The pedals must be rotated smoothly so as not to damage the cartilaginous tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You also shouldn't lift heavy objects.

Diet for osteoarthritis

Proper nutrition for arthrosis of the joints helps to recover.Doctors recommend including foods rich in vitamins and microelements in your diet.Recommended fruit, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat.It is best to avoid smoked products, fast food products, sweets, baked goods, fatty meats and processed foods.