Along with arthritis, osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in the second half of life.In the absence of timely and high-quality treatment, this disease can lead to limb disability.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints that is based on the process of degenerative changes in the cartilage that develop as a result of the deterioration of its nutrition (trophism) or the disturbance of its configuration, for example, after an injury.
Arthrosis-arthritis is a disease characterized not only by degenerative processes occurring in the joint, but also by its inflammation.
Deforming osteoarthritis is arthrosis, the manifestation of which is the proliferation of bone tissue, leading to deformation of the ends of the bones that form 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 in the joint cavity.
Causes of osteoarthritis
The main cause of the development of arthrosis is a metabolic disorder that occurs in cartilaginous tissue.As a result, the cartilage loses elasticity and begins to gradually deteriorate.
The causes of metabolic disorders and the development of degenerative changes in joints are varied.These could be:
- hormonal disorders,
- feminine,
- loss of proteoglycans by cartilaginous tissue,
- body aging,
- increased stress on joints due to involvement in a certain type of activity or being overweight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, osteoarthritis of the ankle and foot may occur due to prolonged use of narrow and uncomfortable shoes, including high heels.Changes in the joints of the hands are observed mainly in representatives of professions where a significant part of the load falls on the hands (while arthrosis is much more common in women).
Furthermore, osteoarthritis of the knee, hip or ankle joint is caused by various injuries (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Types and symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is classified according to the degree of joint damage:
- 1st degree - the joints maintain mobility, there are practically no visible changes on the x-ray.The patient may only be bothered by a slight clicking sound or slight pain.
- 2nd degree - those suffering from arthrosis feel discomfort in the joint area, the mobility of the limb is impaired, periodic pain becomes more pronounced and prolonged, the first signs of joint deformation are detected on x-ray or ultrasound.
- Grade 3 - joint movements are limited, the patient feels severe pain (even at rest), characteristic changes are observed on x-rays.
Sometimes experts also distinguish the fourth degree of arthrosis, which is characterized by severe pain and severe deformations in this area.
Rheumatoid osteoarthritis
Most often, this term refers to degenerative and destructive changes in the joint that have developed as a result of another disease - rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis itself changes the configuration of the articular surfaces, which leads to a violation of their congruence and an aggravation of degenerative processes in the articular and periarticular tissues.
Osteoarthritis discovered
This 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 prolonged sitting or standing),
- headache,
- dizziness,
- fluctuations in blood pressure.
Radiographic examination may reveal subluxation of the cervical joints.
Additionally, arthrosis is differentiated:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- ankle joints (crushatron),
- other areas of the spine,
- temporomandibular joint, etc.
How and with what to treat osteoarthritis?
Before deciding how to treat it at home, you should consult a doctor and determine the exact cause of the disease.To do this, the doctor usually examines the patient and prescribes a number 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 computed tomography of the joints.If necessary, the examination is complemented by diagnostic arthroscopy.
Next, the doctor makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate treatment for the joint.
What principles are the treatment of osteoarthritis based on?
- Elimination of the cause of the disease.In the case of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, the underlying disease is treated, achieving 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 drugs and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, for severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs with a good analgesic effect are prescribed.
Ointments, gels, creams with anti-inflammatory and distracting effects are applied locally to the joint area 2-3 times a day, compresses with dimexide are applied and rubbing is used.
Physiotherapy
To relieve pain and inflammation, ultraviolet irradiation in erythematous doses, laser therapy, UHF, microwave, electro- and phonophoresis are widely used.In addition to physiotherapeutic procedures, regular therapeutic exercises for joints and spa treatments are useful for arthrosis.
Surgical treatment
This is usually a partial or complete joint replacement or plastic surgery.It can be performed traditionally, as well as through endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy.Surgeries are indicated in cases where conservative treatment does not have the desired effect, as well as in cases of severe deformation of the joint and loss of mobility.
Prevention
Firstly, osteoarthritis prevention includes diet, exercise and avoiding hypothermia.
Diet
Nutrition for arthrosis does not require serious restrictions.In general, it involves a balanced diet, including all the main food groups, drinking plenty of fluids, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.Many experts recommend periodically including jellied meats, rich broths and other similar dishes in the menu, unless they are contraindicated by a doctor.The only significant limitation is the calorie content of the food.It is necessary to monitor body weight, as excess weight accelerates joint wear.
Spicy and fiery 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, many of which negatively affect the gastric mucosa.It is also advisable to limit foods that are rich in cholesterol and that increase blood viscosity, so that the blood supply to the joint is not impaired.For these reasons, it is advisable to exclude these dishes from your daily menu if you have osteoarthritis.
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity improve blood circulation and blood supply to joint tissues and also strengthen muscles.The most useful exercises for osteoarthritis are swimming, walking and skiing.For Coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis in combination with excess weight, cycling or exercise on a stationary bike has worked well.
Avoiding hypothermia
Joints “love” it when a person dresses according to 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.