Arthrosis is the most common joint damage in medical practice, associated with degenerative-dystrophic processes occurring in them.Caused primarily by the aging of the body and the destruction of joint tissue, the disease cannot be completely cured.However, according to experts, it is entirely possible for a person to slow down the destructive process, delay arthrosis and preserve joint health for a long time.
Arthrosis and its symptoms
The destruction of the joint begins with the gradual wear of cartilage - the main element of this movable connection of bones, which protects them at the point of contact from friction and serves as a shock absorber under mechanical loads.In most cases, this process is caused by age-related deterioration of metabolic processes in the human body and malnutrition of the joint.Therefore, symptoms of the disease usually appear after 40-50 years.However, the development of negative changes in cartilage tissue occurs at an earlier age and consists of a gradual loss of elasticity of the cartilage, its thinning and destruction.
The inability of cartilage to fully perform its functions causes negative changes in bone tissue, which can grow, forming osteophytes (growths in the form of tubercles, spines, hooks), which are a source of pain when moving.Gradually, the pathological process covers the articular muscles, ligaments, and tendons.The joint may become deformed.
The following symptoms indicate the development of arthrosis:
- pain that increases with movement and physical activity;
- decreased joint mobility;
- swelling and inflammation (in some cases);
- deformation and immobility of the joint (in severe forms of the disease).
Arthrosis mainly affects the knees, hip joints, lumbar and cervical spine and hands.
Causes of the disease and risk factors
The main causes of destruction of articular cartilage and the development of arthrosis include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- joint injuries, which can be minor, but multiple and repeated, or one-time, but serious (for example, meniscus injuries);
- age-related changes in cartilage and bone tissue.
There are factors that increase the likelihood of developing arthrosis.The main ones are excess weight, which increases the load on the joints, and a sedentary lifestyle, which interferes with normal blood supply and nutrition to the joints, worsening the metabolism in it.Excessive physical activity, local inflammatory processes, hormonal changes (for example, menopause) can also provoke arthrosis.
Treatment or prevention?
A complete cure for this disease is impossible - this is the general verdict of rheumatologists, whose task is to fight arthrosis.Modern therapy can slow down the process of cartilage destruction, relieve inflammation, reduce pain and improve the patient’s condition.For this purpose, the following is used in the treatment of arthrosis:
- chondroprotectors based on chondroitin sulfates and glucosamine;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid or hormonal drugs;
- physiotherapeutic procedures (ultrasound, electrophoresis, laser and magnetic therapy, mud applications);
- physical therapy.
In severe cases, they resort to surgery and replacement of the joint with a prosthesis.
Modern medicine considers the main task of counteracting the disease to be the prevention of arthrosis and the promotion of a lifestyle that helps maintain healthy joints.First of all, this applies to adolescents and young people actively involved in sports, who need to develop special skills to protect joints during training (warm-up and warming up joints, using special protective devices: knee pads, elbow pads, etc.).For people who do not exercise, the main measures to prevent arthrosis are maintaining a normal weight and physical activity.
Weight loss and nutrition
As a result of numerous studies, it has been established that obese people have a 3-fold increased risk of developing arthrosis.This is explained not only by the fact that excess weight increases the load on the joints, but also by the fact that excess fat provokes the development of many pathological processes in the body, which lead to serious diseases, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, which also negatively affects the condition of the joints.
Nutrition as a prevention of arthrosis is aimed at saturating the body with nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of articular cartilage and slowing down the degenerative processes in it.Following the following basic principles will not only help keep your joints in good shape, but will also prevent you from gaining excess weight:
- reducing the calorie content of food by eliminating or limiting fatty meats and poultry;
- consuming enough low-fat dairy products to provide calcium to bones;
- increasing the proportion of cereals, vegetables and fruits to replenish the body with vitamins and microelements that joints need.
Particular attention during nutrition should be paid to foods and dishes containing natural substances that protect and strengthen cartilage tissue.These substances primarily include collagen, a protein that is part of the cartilage, ligaments and skin of animals and fish.For this purpose, it is necessary to include in the diet jellied meats, aspic (especially from fish), fruit jelly and other dishes containing gelatin - modified collagen.
Physical activity to prevent arthrosis
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the main enemies of human health, including the musculoskeletal system.While physical activity allows you to simultaneously achieve many goals necessary for maintaining joints and general well-being:
- improves blood supply and tissue nutrition;
- normalizes metabolic processes and prevents excess weight gain;
- develops muscles, which in turn strengthens the skeletal system;
- trains all body systems and improves immunity;
- helps improve mood.
To keep joints in good shape, they should not be overloaded.But this does not mean that you should give up physical activity.Movement is absolutely necessary for joints, but it should be moderate and correspond to the physical shape, age and other individual characteristics of each person.
Experts say that walking is the best prevention of knee arthrosis at any age, and recommend taking at least 6,000 steps daily.Swimming is very beneficial when movement occurs without the negative impact of body weight on the bones.Engaging in any sport or favorite activity related to movement (dancing, gardening, outdoor games with children), provided they are regular, will help prevent arthrosis and keep joints in good condition for a long time.