Arthrosis is a degenerative articular pathology accompanied by cartilage tissue degeneration processes.As the disease progresses, the joint capsule, ligament apparatus, synovial membrane and nearby bone structures are also involved in the destructive process.
Spread of arthrosis
Among people with arthrosis, the majority are elderly people.After the age of 65, the disease is not only the most frequently diagnosed articular pathology, but also the main cause of loss of working ability with subsequent disability.Moreover, in old age, mainly representatives of the fairer sex get sick, and among young people, most of those who get sick are men.
The incidence of osteoarthritis varies greatly between countries.It has not yet been possible to determine the reasons for the widespread distribution of statistical data.
Causes and risk factors
Arthrosis is a disease that can be primary or secondary.If there is no objective reason for the development of pathology, they speak of the primary type.If it is possible to determine 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 nature (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;
- chronically occurring degenerative-dystrophic type processes;
- various diseases accompanied by excessive joint mobility with a weak ligament apparatus;
- the presence of hemophilia;
- inflammatory processes of a certain type.
In addition to the direct causes that lead to the development of arthrosis, there are predisposing factors that do not cause the disease, but can increase the risk of its development.
These include:
- Age over 55 years;
- being overweight, due to which the load on the joints increases;
- excessive load on any joint or group due to improper sports exercises, special work that requires a long stay in one position;
- history of surgical interventions in the joints;
- heredity;
- hormonal changes in the female body during postmenopause;
- permanent hypothermia;
- untreated spinal pathologies;
- insufficient intake of useful micro- and macroelements from food.
Mechanism of development
The mechanism of development of arthrosis is well known.Cartilage, which provides normal contact between two bones, is smooth in nature, without bumps and smooth, which helps to ensure normal movement in the joints.When the disease occurs, the structure of the cartilage changes, it becomes rough and defects appear that reduce the effectiveness of natural sliding.
Due to the acquired unevenness, the cartilage is gradually damaged, in some places it begins to become calcified, and in others it begins 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.
Degrees
Doctors divide arthrosis into three main degrees:
- I degree.It is characterized by the absence of a clear clinical picture.The patient may rarely complain of pain in the affected joint, but usually does not consult a doctor.At this time, changes in the ligamentous-muscular apparatus and joint fluid are observed, but there are no visible deformations yet.
- II degree.Symptoms of arthrosis become more prominent.The pain is bearable, but occurs regularly.The patient refers to the doctor because he notes that his quality of life has decreased.A characteristic crackling sound can be heard in the affected joint.Changes are observed in nearby muscle structures, because nerve conduction is disturbed.
- III degree.It is characterized by pronounced symptoms.Articular cartilage is very thin and cysts, calcification or ossification can be found there.The ligamentous apparatus is shortened, which leads to increased mobility in the affected area, which is accompanied by limitation due to an open 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 characteristics of the course of the disease, which is characterized by alternating phases of remission and exacerbation.
Pain due to illness
Pain due to arthrosis is the most common complaint that patients consult a doctor with.Their characteristic feature is the relationship with time of day, weather and physical activity.
In most patients, the pain is exacerbated by walking, running, or other 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 cartilage can no longer perform shock absorption functions.
Discomfort at night most often occurs as a result of blood stagnation in the veins.Another reason is the increase in intraosseous pressure during this period.
One of the main diagnostic criteria is the presence of the so-called initial pain, which bothers the patient at the moment when he starts active movement.If physical activity is continued, the initial pain usually subsides.Their formation is explained by the presence of articular deposits (detritus) that irritate nerve endings.After these deposits are removed from the nerves, the pain disappears.
Symptoms
In addition to pain, doctors identify other symptoms of arthrosis that may indicate the presence of pathology.
These include:
- The appearance of a painful and crackling sound.Pain appears mainly if a person suffers from hypothermia.At first, wheezing will be barely noticeable in the ear, but as the disease progresses without therapy, it will be heard by people around you.
- Reduced mobility.At the early stage of the development of pathology, a decrease in mobility is not observed.However, the longer the disease is not treated, the more severe the limitation of movements in the joint becomes.This is explained by the narrowing of the joint space and the spasm of nearby muscle structures.
- Joint deformation.It is characteristic of the late stage of arthrosis, and at the same time it is an important indicator of the course of the disease.It is already very difficult to treat the disease during this period.
Which doctor treats arthrosis?
Who treats arthrosis?In most cases, therapy is carried out by several specialists at the same time.First of all, an arthrologist is involved - a specialist in joints.In addition, the patient should visit an orthopedist.If the disease is the result of an inflammatory process, then it is also recommended to consult a rheumatologist.
If necessary, other specialists may be involved during the treatment.Often you have to turn to the services of traumatologists, physiotherapists, massage therapists and surgeons.
Diagnostics
Treatment of joint arthrosis begins only after confirming the diagnosis and determining the degree of pathology.First of all, the doctor conducts a detailed interview and examination with the patient.The presence of characteristic complaints and deformities indicates the presence of the disease.
An obligatory method to confirm the diagnosis is radiography of the affected joint.If the disease has affected the knee, then the knee is photographed;if a pathology is detected in the hand, then X-ray signs of the disease are specifically sought there.
Diagnosis using radiography is not always sufficient to diagnose the patient.In this case, it can be sent to MRI (which will allow to evaluate the condition of soft tissues and their involvement in the pathological process) or CT (which will allow to draw conclusions about the condition of bone and cartilage structures, the involvement of nearby anatomical joints in the pathological process).
Treatment
How to treat arthrosis of the joints?The choice of the appropriate therapeutic technique depends on the severity of the symptoms and the stage of the disease.
The doctor selects 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.
Medicine
How to treat the disease if it is preferable to use drugs rather than surgery?
Conservative therapy is suitable only for patients in the early stages of pathology formation and will include the use of three main groups of drugs:
- glucocorticosteroids- during exacerbation, hormonal drugs that effectively eliminate the inflammatory process are injected into the joint space;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,it is mainly used as an injection and is injected into the muscles near the joint or directly into a 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 in this group can reduce the processes of destruction of cartilage tissue and strengthen its recovery;they are especially effective in the early stages of disease formation.
Surgical
How to treat arthrosis if the disease has already advanced enough?In this case, conservative therapy will be ineffective, and doctors can only recommend surgical intervention to the patient.
Today, endoprosthetics are performed in most cases.During the operation, the real joint is replaced with a prosthesis that carries all the functions of a healthy joint.
In some cases, palliative treatment options are provided, the main purpose of which is to reduce the load on the articular surfaces.
Exercise
In the initial stages of the disease, it is treated not only with drugs, but also with physical therapy.Physical exercise is an important stage of therapy, it helps to maintain the functionality of the joint and reduces the possibility of further progression of the disease.
Depending on the severity of the pathology and the individual characteristics of the patient, the set of exercises is selected individually.The doctor should take into account the localization of 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 takes some time to perform the recommended complex every day.
Traditional methods
Many people who suffer from arthrosis refuse to use drugs or surgery until the end.In this case, alternative drugs are used as a substitute for drugs.
The most commonly used plants in therapy:
- Kalanchoe;
- ginger;
- horseradish;
- bay leaf;
- garlic;
- cinnamon;
- ponytail and others.
They are used in the form of tinctures, decoctions and poultices on the affected area.It should be taken into account that it is not possible to completely cure the disease using only home recipes.Traditional therapy is best combined with traditional medicine.
Prevention
What to do to reduce the possibility of developing arthrosis in old age?Simple preventive measures are available to everyone.
Recommended:
- daily average physical activity: walking, cycling, performing a set of simple exercises, etc.;
- following the basic principles of healthy eating: eat often but slowly, avoid fast food, overeating, heavy and fatty food, many spices;
- weight control: weight gain causes increased stress on the joints, which can lead to the development of arthrosis;
- timely treatment of chronic diseases that cause metabolic disorders;
- use of vitamin-mineral complexes when the amount of nutrients from food is considered insufficient.
The difference between arthritis and arthrosis
Many people confuse arthritis and arthrosis due to the sound similarity.But these are completely different diseases.
Arthritis is not dystrophy and degeneration in joint tissues, but any inflammatory reaction that can develop in the joint cavity, regardless of the cause.Inflammation most often affects not only the joint, but also the muscles, bone and ligament structures that are closest to it.Arthritis pain is not related to physical activity;may disturb the patient even at rest, and there is no creaking in the joints.
In most cases, it is impossible to distinguish arthritis from arthrosis independently, because the main symptom is pain, and patients rarely have an idea about its features in each of the pathologies.
In order not to make a mistake with further treatment and prevention of the disease, it is better to entrust the establishment of an accurate diagnosis to the attending physician.
Arthrosis is a serious pathology that can cause 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 limit yourself to only conservative treatment and do without surgical intervention.