Arthrosis of the joints is a complex dystrophic disease that is associated with the destruction of cartilage tissues inside the joints.This pathological process is the most common joint disease around the world.Arthrosis is manifested by pain, morning stiffness and limitation of mobility.The gradual progression of symptoms is characteristic, however, the rate of development of the disease can be different.
The diagnosis is made on the basis of an anamnesis, clinical examination and radiography results.Treatment of arthrosis is usually conservative: exercise therapy, anti -inflammatory drugs, physiotence, blockade, etc.
We will consider in more detail what this disease is and how to treat it, we will consider further in the article.
What is arthrosis?
Arthrosis is degenerative changes in the structure of the joints, which are accompanied by pain and visible deformation.The second name of the disease, which is used in the international classification - osteoarthrosis.
The disease is characterized by slow progression, although it can be accelerated by some external factors.It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the human disease and its method of vital activity.
According to statistics, arthrosis is ill with 6.5–12% of the globe population.Mostly people over 65 years old (62–85% of cases) suffer.There is a tendency to “rejuvenate” of pathology: in different countries about 30–35% of patients are people of age 45–65 years, and 2-3% of the age of 20–45 years.
People who are little familiar with medicine think that arthritis and arthrosis are one and the same.In fact, this is not so, because in the first case the ailment is acute inflammatory, and in the second - a long, less pronounced chronic.
Types
The wording of the diagnosis for arthrosis can be different, although the essence of the disease is the same.Most often, the questions and misunderstanding of patients are related to several terminum terms of arthrosis:
- Arthrosoarthritis is a classic arthrosis, in which an inflammatory process is pronounced;
- osteoarthrosis is absolutely the same as arthrosis;
- deforming (osteoarthrosis) - the so -called late stages of the disease, which are manifested by deformation and closing of the joint;
- Coksartrosis - an abbreviated term denoting the lesion of the hip joint;
- Gonartrosis is a abbreviated term meaning “arthrosis of the knee joint”;
- Spondylarthrosis is the lesion of the arthrosis of the small arcen -heating joints of the spine.
There are many varieties of this disease.Classification can occur on the basis of the localization of affected areas and depending on the causes of the disease.
Types of arthrosis depending on localization:
- Knee
- Hip joints
- Cervical
- Brachial
- Hands and fingers
- Spine
- Ankle
- Primary polyosteoarthrosis
Depending on the number of joints involved, the following varieties are distinguished:
- Monoarthrosis.
- Oligoarthrosis - no more than 2 joints are affected.
- Polyarthrosis - involved from 3 articular groups.
The degree of damage to the joint
| Degree of arthrosis | Symptoms |
| 1 degree | The first stage of arthrosis - there are no pronounced morphological changes, only the composition of the synovial fluid is disturbed.The liquid supply worse to the cartilaginous tissue with nutrients, the resistance of the cartilage to conventional loads decreases.Due to the overload of the articular surfaces, inflammation occurs, pain appears. |
| 2 degree | The joint is destroyed.Osteophytes are formed.Pain during loads and movement becomes stronger, a characteristic crunch in affected places is heard. |
| 3 degree | This is the most severe stage of development of this disease.There is a pathological change in the sites of sore joints.Inflammation occurs.The patient feels stiffness when moving, as muscles cannot fully contract and fulfill their functions. |
Reasons
The formation of arthrosis is facilitated by two causes - the load and the absence of a full nutrition that supplies vitamins, minerals for tissue restoration.The joints of each person carry a load.The athletes and dancers, with physical work, the load on their feet is greater, which means that bone joints wear out faster and require high -quality nutrition.With a calm lifestyle, the support apparatus wear out slower, but also requires periodic renewal of fabrics.
Primary arthrosis
This type is most often associated with innate inferiority and tendency of cartilage to damage and destruction as a result of metabolic disorders.The most common causes that cause this disease:
- hereditary and genetic;
- menopause;
- Frequent and, at first glance, minor injuries (for example, among athletes).
Secondary arthrosis
The secondary type is most often deforming arthrosis and progresses against the background of a decrease in the stability of cartilage to the usual load.The development of this pathology is facilitated by:
- injuries;
- obesity;
- weakness of ligaments and muscles;
- arthritis.
With age, the predisposition to the disease increases.After 70 years, arthrosis is diagnosed with every second pensioner.Since the maximum load falls on the feet (a person moves - walks, stands, runs, jumps), then it is here that the first signs are formed.
Signs and symptoms of arthrosis
Arthrosis belongs to the category of chronic diseases.Sometimes the disease can imperceptibly leak for years, only occasionally recalling pain at the joint on the joint or awkward movement.But it also happens that the disease develops rapidly to a severe stage in just a few months.
In any case, it is important to remember, if you do not treat the disease, its symptoms will increase over time, worsening the quality of life, and in severe cases - leading to disability and immobilization.
Symptoms with arthrosis of the joints:
- Pain.Painful sensations with arthrosis are pronounced, especially after various kinds of loads.When a person comes to a state of peace, after a while, uncomfortable sensations disappear.Localization of pain occurs directly in the place where changes in the usual structures of the body have occurred.In some cases, pain in arthrosis can occur when a person rests, being completely relaxed.They appear very sharply and strongly, which can be compared with dental pain.Most often this happens in the morning.
- The second sign of arthrosis is a crunch, but you should not confuse this symptom with the usual clicking of the joints, which is found in almost every person, and does not bring discomfort.A crunch in the disease is characterized by gross and dry sound, it brings pain and severe discomfort.With the development of the disease, the symptom is becoming more distinct and painful.
- Reducing the mobility of the joint.It is also considered one of the characteristic symptoms of arthrosis, but it appears already at the stage of active progression of the disease.During the development of arthrosis, the growth/germination of bone neoplasms occurs, which leads to spasms of muscle tissue, reducing the lumen in the joint bag - the restriction of movement in this place is guaranteed.
- Joint deformation.Its modification is determined by the fact that osteophytes grow on the surface of the bones and the synovial fluid arrives.Although deformation is one of the latest symptoms, when arthrosis has struck the joint to a large extent.
- Changes in muscle tone.At first, especially with severe pain, the periarticular muscles are reflexively tense.In the future, as the motor activity is lost, the muscles atrophy.
- Skin manifestations.An optional sign.In the initial stages, redness of the skin in the projection of the joint is possible.In the future, as arthrosis and atrophy of the muscles progresses, the skin turns pale, becomes dry, pigmented.
| Joints that arthrosis affects more often: | Less commonly suffered: |
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Complications
If arthrosis does not provide proper attention, in time and not to treat correctly, this can lead not only to the complete destruction of the diseased joint, but also to a change in the biomechanics of the spine, which makes her hernias in the intervertebral discs and the development of arthrosis in other, so far still healthy joints begin.
The danger of untimely treatment of any type of arthrosis lies in the complications related to it, adverse consequences:
- The inflamed joints are deformed and gradually destroyed;
- movements become constrained, joint mobility is partially or completely limited;
- The spine is disturbed;
- interdiscount hernias are formed;
- neuralgia develops;
- the standard of living of the patient with arthrosis is reduced;
- The person becomes disabled.
Diagnostics
First of all, they try to see structural changes in the affected areas, to evaluate their severity and prevalence.Also, the metabolic disturbances in the body should be determined, which have become a favorable background for the occurrence of arthrosis.Therefore, the survey set consists of the following events:
- Radiography.
- Magnetic resonance tomography.
- Ultrasound study.
- Arthroscopy.
- Biochemical blood tests (hormonal spectrum, markers of inflammation, calcium metabolism, rheumen).
Taking into account radiological features, experts in the field of orthopedics and traumatology distinguish the following stages of arthrosis (classification of Kellgren-Lawrence):
- Stage 1 (dubious arthrosis) - suspicion of narrowing of the joint gap, osteophytes are absent or available in a small amount.
- Stage 2 (soft) - suspicion of narrowing of the joint gap, osteophytes are clearly defined.
- Stage 3 (moderate) - a clear narrowing of the joint gap, there are clearly expressed osteophytes, bone deformations are possible.
- Stage 4 (severe arthrosis) - a pronounced narrowing of the joint gap, large osteophytes, pronounced bone deformations and osteosclerosis.
Please note: the course of the disease under consideration is very slow and at the first stage it may not be characterized by any symptoms at all, and inconsistent joint pain and increased fatigue can be inherent even to healthy people with large physical exertion.Therefore, independent diagnosis of arthrosis is almost impossible.
How to treat arthrosis of the joints
Principles of treatment of arthrosis:
- eliminate excessive loads on the joints;
- Therapy with anti -inflammatory and analgesic pills.Also, in complex therapy, chondroprotectors are actively used for arthrosis;
- physiotherapy physical education;
- sanatorium treatment;
- magnetotherapy, electrotherapy, laser therapy, shock wave therapy;
- intra -articular oxygenotherapy;
- intraosseous blockade;
- It is important to choose proper nutrition for arthrosis.
Medication methods
How to treat arthrosis with drugs?This issue is the most common among patients.Treatment is carried out using three groups of drugs:
- Chondroprotectors.The drugs of this group restore hyaline cartilage, as they contain the components that are part of it.They are recommended by all patients in the form of a long term paper (courses 3-4 months 2 times a year).Use tablets and capsules.
- Hormonal corticosteroids.This group of drugs is most effective during the period of exacerbation of arthrosis.Most often, intramuscular injections are made.But a similar category of drugs in pharmacies is also represented in the form of plasters, ointments - they are used only externally, you can expect a fairly quick and powerful effect.
- The use of non -steroidal anti -inflammatory drugs in order to reduce pain and eliminate the inflammatory process.
- Injections.Injection drugs quickly stop pain, reduce active symptoms.Intramuscular, intravenous or intra -articular administration of the medicine should be carried out only by a medical worker.These funds are not able to save the patient from the cause of the development of the disease, but effectively reduce his negative manifestations.
From other medicines for the treatment of arthrosis, drugs are used:
- improving blood in the joints;
- improving the supply of oxygen joint tissues - vitamins "B";
- acting on metabolism in cartilage;
- desensitizing agents that reduce the reactivity of the body;
- Synthetic hormones of the adrenal glands.
Surgical treatment
Surgical methods imply two ways to solve the problem:
- Arthroscopy is an operation carried out on a sore joint.Through the puncture, a special needle is introduced, which removes the damaged areas and polishes the affected area.
- Prosthetics is a complex operation, which consists in removing damaged joints and embedding a new one.The modern orthopedics stepped far forward, releasing new, improved prostheses that are extremely rarely rejected by the body, and their wearing does not cause discomfort.
Exercise therapy for arthrosis
Medical physical education is used for arthrosis in the subacute stage.The main tasks of exercise therapy:
- orthopedic correction (elimination of defects of affected limbs);
- decrease in the static load on the joints;
- Improving the mobility of the joint or the prevention of its deterioration.
Digoen gymnastics and a set of exercises for unravelable muscles and joints are carried out.Exercises for the affected joints are performed in a lying position, on the side or on the back, sitting.They are alternated with breathing exercises that help to relax muscles.The patient performs movements in the affected joint independently or with the help of an instructor.
During classes, the appearance of pain should not be allowed.Exercises are performed at a slow pace and only after eliminating acute symptoms.Sudden and high amplitude movements should be avoided, which can provoke unpleasant sensations.
Physical education must be engaged in the supervision of a doctor, and after acquiring the necessary skills, you can start home exercises.
Physiotherapy and manual therapy
The use of these methods of treatment gives very good results in the initial stages of arthrosis.
- Manual treatment should be carried out only by an experienced doctor who has proven himself in the treatment of articular pathologies.For example, in the treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint, manual therapy along with the extraction of the limb, intra -articular injections and taking chondroprotectors can quickly put the patient on his feet.
- Physiotherapy is used as auxiliary treatment to accelerate the rehabilitation period.Their main goal is to reduce inflammation and accelerate tissue regeneration.Such procedures as: laser and cryotherapy, thermal treatment- ozokerite, mud baths, paraffin therapy, and UOFs are widely used.
Food and diet
The diet with arthrosis of the joints is aimed at correcting metabolic processes, body weight, preventing irreversible changes in the hyalin cartilage of the joints, a decrease in the inflammatory process and strengthening the connective tissue joint structures.There is no special diet with arthrosis of the joints.The following principles are based on therapeutic nutrition:
- Food should be physiologically full and balanced with a high content of vitamins and minerals.The energy value of the diet for patients with normal weight should correspond to the average value of daily energy consumption and not exceed it.
- The use of salt is limited to 5-8 g/day, as well as salted products (salting, canned food, chips, salted fish).
- The use of free fluid should be increased to 2-2.5 l/day.
- It is necessary to exclude products processing using frying.Food should be baked, steamed, cook or stew.
- You need to switch to frequent, fractional nutrition.
- Food should be taken in small portions, which will exclude overeating and weight gain.
With arthrosis, the use of a hard extreme diet is prohibited.Since in this type of diet the body expels a large amount of fluid, which, in turn, washed out the calcium and potassium from the bones and joints.
Useful products:
- Fish and seafood, nuts, linen oil, as a source of omega - 3.
- Low -fat meat and jelly.
- Products rich in vitamin E, D, C, A and groups B. These are fresh fruits, vegetables and berries.It is especially useful to use: beets, tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, blueberries, legumes, bananas, oranges, apples and whole grain bread.
- Ginger and other spices.
- Milk and dairy products are an excellent source of calcium.
- Useful freshly squeezed juices.
Forbidden products:
- Fast food, sausage products, semi -finished products, chips and all refined products.
- Fatty meat.
- SDOBA, white bread, sugar.
- Fat dairy products, salty cheeses.
- Mayonnaise, transgenic fats.
- White rice, semolina.
- Marinades, conservation, salting.
- Alcohol, energy, soda.
Folk methods of treatment
Before using any folk remedies for arthrosis, be sure to consult your attending physician.
- Mash the nettle and juniper berries into a homogeneous mass.Connect with butter 1: 3.To relieve pain, rub the sore joints up to 3 times a day.
- The roots, flowers or branches of an elderberry black.Pour 1 tbsp.spoonful of raw materials with 1 glass of boiling water.Insist, wrapping, 3 hours, then strain.Drink 1/4 cup up to 4 times a day 30 minutes before meals.
- Boil 10 g of bay leaf in 250 ml of water for five minutes.Leave for five hours.Drink from time to time in small sips all day.Three days we are treating, we rest for five, then we are treated for three days.
- Mustard compress with honey.Mix mustard powder with honey and add one egg.Put the resulting ointment on gauze and apply to the sore spot.
- Complex compress.Cut the cabbage cut into pieces slightly and pass through the juicer.Moisten natural woolen tissue in the juice and attach to the sore spot.
- A series is another excellent remedy for the treatment of arthrosis.Boil in 250 ml of boiling water 2 large tablespoons of a series.After 20 minutes, the decoction is ready.Take 2 spoons three times a day before meals.The course is 30 days.
- The ointment of chamomile, calendula and burdock copes well with pain, relieves inflammation.For its preparation, you need to mix in equal quantities chamomile flowers, calendula, burdock root, connect herbs with petroleum jelly and leave for 1-2 days.Use ointment for severe pains up to 5 times a day.
- In boiling water, put the equal parts of willow bark, birches and calendula flowers.Boil the mixture for 10 minutes, then let it brew under the lid the same amount.You need to take a decoction chilled 200 ml half an hour before meals.
Prevention
In a decrease in the risk of arthrosis, the following moments play an important role:
- getting rid of extra pounds;
- treatment of musculoskeletal pathologies;
- active movement throughout life;
- proper nutrition (diet, balanced diet);
- Avoiding joint hypothermia;
- A healthy lifestyle with the right regime.