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 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 occur as a result of deterioration of its nutrition (trophism) or disruption of its configuration, for example, after an injury.
Arthrosis-arthritis is a disease characterized not only by degenerative processes in the joint, but also by its inflammation.
Deforming osteoarthritis is arthrosis, one of the manifestations of which is the proliferation of bone tissue, which leads to deformation of the ends of the bones that make up 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 into the joint cavity.
Causes of arthrosis
The leading 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 gradually deteriorate.
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 in cartilage tissue,
- aging of the organism,
- increased stress on the joints due to engaging in a certain type of activity or being overweight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, ankle and foot arthrosis can occur due to long-term wearing of tight and uncomfortable shoes, including high heels.Changes in the joints of the hands are observed mainly 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 joint is provoked by various injuries (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Types and symptoms of arthrosis
Arthrosis is classified according to the degree of joint damage:
- 1st degree - the joints retain their mobility, there are practically no visible changes on the X-ray.The patient may only be bothered by a slight creak or slight pain.
- 2nd degree - a person suffering from arthrosis experiences a feeling of discomfort in the joint area, mobility of the extremities is disturbed, periodic pain becomes more pronounced and prolonged, early signs of joint deformation are detected on an X-ray or ultrasound.
- Grade 3 - movements in the joint are limited, the patient feels severe pain (even at rest), characteristic changes are observed on X-rays.
Sometimes experts distinguish the fourth degree of arthrosis, characterized by intense pain and serious deformations of this area.
Rheumatoid arthrosis
Most often, this term refers to degenerative-destructive changes in the joint that occurred as a result of another disease - rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis itself changes the configuration of joint surfaces, which implies a violation of their concordance and worsening of degenerative processes in joint and periarticular tissue.
Uncovertebral arthrosis
It is the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine.The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of this localization:
- pronounced crunching sound when turning the head,
- neck pain (especially after sitting or standing for a long time),
- headache,
- dizziness,
- blood pressure fluctuations.
An X-ray examination can reveal subluxation of the cervical joints.
In addition, arthrosis differs:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- ankle joints (crushatron),
- other areas of the spinal column,
- 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 series of additional laboratory and instrumental tests, including various biochemical blood tests (for example, for acute phase reactions, the presence of rheumatoid factor, etc.), as well as radiography, ultrasound, MRI or CT of the joints.If necessary, the examination is supplemented with diagnostic arthroscopy.
Then, the doctor 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, which achieves its stable remission.
- Normalization of joint nutrition, metabolism and blood circulation.For this purpose, chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid preparations, drugs that improve local and systemic blood flow, antiplatelet agents and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are prescribed for intense pain, which have a good analgesic effect.
Ointments, gels, creams that have an anti-inflammatory and disruptive effect are applied locally to the joint area 2-3 times a day, compresses with dimexide are applied and rubbed.
Physiotherapy
Ultraviolet radiation in erythema doses, laser therapy, UHF, microwave, electro- and phonophoresis are widely used to relieve pain and inflammation.In addition to physiotherapeutic procedures, regular therapeutic exercises for the joints and spa treatment are useful for arthrosis.
Surgical treatment
It is usually a partial or complete joint replacement or its plastic surgery.It can be performed in a traditional way, as well as by endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy.Operations are indicated in cases when conservative treatment does not give the desired effect, as well as in cases of severe joint deformation and loss of mobility.
Prevention
First of all, the prevention of arthrosis includes diet, exercise and avoiding hypothermia.
Diet
Nutrition for arthrosis does not require any serious restrictions.In general, this is a balanced diet, which includes all major food groups, sufficient fluid intake, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.Many experts recommend the occasional inclusion of jellies, rich broths and other similar dishes in the menu, unless it is contraindicated by a doctor.The only significant limitation is the calorie content of the food.It is necessary to monitor your body weight, because excess weight accelerates the wear and tear of the 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 painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, most of which have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa.It is also advisable to limit foods that are rich in cholesterol and lead to increased blood viscosity in order not to disrupt blood flow to the joint.For these reasons, it is advised to exclude such dishes from the daily menu if you have arthrosis.
Practice
Exercise and physical activity improve blood circulation and blood flow to joint tissues, and also strengthen muscles.The most useful exercises for arthrosis are swimming, walking and skiing.For coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis in combination with excess weight, cycling or exercising on a stationary bike worked well.
Avoiding hypothermia
Joints "kiss" when a person dresses for the weather, evenly 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.