Degenerative arthrosis of the joints, with the progression of which cartilage destruction occurs, is often diagnosed in men and women at a young age. The characteristic symptoms of the initial disease are severe pain, which occurs even at rest, when there is no load on the limbs. To alleviate the unpleasant discomfort and prevent the destruction of cartilage structures, a complex treatment is prescribed.
What is this disease?
Osteoarthritis is a terrible, common chronic disease that affects the majority of the entire population.
The pathology is characterized by inflammatory lesions of the cartilage tissues of small and large joints. Due to degenerative changes in cartilage, the periarticular capsule, synovial membrane, muscle and tendon structures and bone tissue are affected. The main reason for the development of such pathology is considered to be impaired metabolism. Complete cure of the disease is impossible, it will only be possible to bring the patient into remission, which is why osteoarthritis, which gradually destroys the joint system, is dangerous. Joint diseases are often diagnosed in old age, but also occur in young people who are already 20 years old. It is important to diagnose the initial phase of its development. This will prevent new complications and help the body deal with the problem.
Reasons for development
Disruption of metabolic processes in the joints provokes the onset of the disease. The pathology is characteristic of one or more joints simultaneously. Other common causes of osteoarthritis are:
- hormonal changes in women during menopause;
- disturbance of the blood supply to the joints;
- persistent hypothermia;
- chronic disabilities;
- old age;
- Overweight;
- increased stress on the joints;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- diseased thyroid gland;
- hemophilia;
- herpes;
- hepatitis;
- allergies in which bone and joint structures are affected;
- varicose veins;
- strict diets or unbalanced diet;
- excessive physical activity;
- heredity;
- unfavorable environment.
Arthritic changes are seen in people who have to work in difficult physical conditions. These are such specific specialties:
- miners;
- masons;
- metallurgists;
- blacksmiths;
- fishermen.
Stages and characteristic symptoms
The signs of osteoarthritis develop gradually and increase with the progression of the pathology. There are 3 stages of osteoarthritis:
- At the first stage there is no morphological change, only the synovial composition of the fluid is disturbed, as a result of which the cartilage tissues receive less nutrients, quickly lose their elasticity and endurance. There is inflammation in the joint cavity, the pain begins to bother.
- At stage II, the degenerative process develops more actively. The cartilage of the joints is gradually destroyed, uric acid is not completely removed from the body, as a result of which the first bone growths appear in the joint. This restricts the movement of the joint, so that the inflammation progresses, the constant pain in the muscles of the limb disrupts.
- Grade III manifests as a complete thinning of the cartilage of the joint and deformation of the joint itself is also observed. There are signs of axial changes in the limb. Degenerative disorders also begin in the ligament apparatus, as a result of which the limb can no longer move normally, hypermobility is observed in combination with a violation of the natural range of motion. The pain in stage 3 osteoarthritis is constant, a person can not lie still, sleep, rest. Complete malnutrition of the joint threatens to impair the functioning of the affected limb.
Other symptoms
The disease causes characteristic symptoms in humans, which are conditionally divided into 4 groups:
- Pain. Severe joint pain, which does not disappear for a long time, is the first symptom that characterizes the progression of the pathology. The pain is caused by some movement or physical activity, but at rest a person recovers, the discomfort subsides.
- Crunch. This symptom is expressed in the stage of exacerbation of osteoarthritis. Due to the fact that the cartilaginous tissues of the joints are deformed for a long time, the bone structures begin to touch and rub against each other. As the crisis increases, the pain syndrome will also progress.
- Impaired joint mobility. Progressive bone osteoarthritis leads to increased growth of bone formations. As a result, the muscle tissue spasms and the gap in the joint gradually decreases. The pressure in the joint increases, which also leads to immobilization of the limb.
- Deformation of the joints. The rapid growth of osteophytes can provoke modification of the compound, but this symptom develops in the later stages.
Varieties of arthrosis of the joints
Distinguish between idiopathic or primary osteoarthritis and secondary. The first type is an independent disease that occurs as a result of physiological age-related changes. But the secondary form occurs against the background of chronic injuries and can occur at any age - at 20 or 30 years. Given which joint is affected, arthrosis is distinguished:
- shoulder or elbow joint;
- hip or knee joint;
- spine.
Also, the disease occurs:
- refined;
- unspecified.
Why is it dangerous?
Acute osteoarthritis is terrible, because as the pathology progresses, the spine participates in degenerative processes, resulting in hernias. Therefore, it is important to effectively treat osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, when it is possible to apply conservative methods. If the medication is provided on time or the patient tries to heal himself, the following disorders begin to appear:
- deformation and destruction of joint elements;
- limitation of limb mobility;
- disability;
- violation of the biomechanics of the spine due to the fact that the disc has subsided.
Diagnosis
Before prescribing effective treatment for osteoarthritis or removing the affected areas, it is important to know the exact diagnosis. Therefore, after the initial examination, the patient is sent to undergo:
- general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
- puncture of synovial fluid if synovitis of the knee joint is suspected;
- sample for histological examination of a biopath.
Instrumental diagnostics is performed - radiography. If the patient has gonarthrosis (especially in varicose veins), X-rays of the knee joint should be taken. In dysplasia and arthrosis of the hip joint, this area of the musculoskeletal system is examined. To determine the types of damage to cartilage structures, it is recommended to undergo ultrasound, MRI or CT.
How to treat?
Medical and surgical
Early osteoarthritis is treated with conservative therapy. Medicines are selected by a doctor strictly on an individual basis. If a person has a stomach ulcer or other pathologies of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, then oral administration is contraindicated. In this case, the injections will give the appropriate effect. Proper prescription of drugs will help to enhance the activity of metabolic processes in the affected areas. Effective groups of drugs that will prolong remission:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Hormonal corticosteroids;
- Chondroprotectors.
If conservative methods do not work, surgical treatment is prescribed. Palliative surgery is indicated to relieve the joint. When the joint is completely destroyed, surgical therapy is performed to replace it, it is called arthroplasty. As new technologies have advanced in the field of prosthetics, people with a replaced joint can live a different but fulfilling life.
Exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage
Kinesitherapy is the name of a type of therapy developed by a famous doctor. This is a set of physical exercises that must be performed on special simulators. Regular exercise will help to normalize the condition of the joint and improve its functionality. This means that the exercises are recommended to be performed in special hospitals specializing in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage procedures performed by a chiropractor will help to normalize the blood supply and nutrition of the affected areas, as a result of which the condition of the joint joints will gradually improve. If the causes of osteoarthritis are clearly understood and there are no contraindications, a course of physiotherapy procedures is prescribed, for example the following:
- electrophoresis;
- magnetic therapy;
- laser treatment;
- mud therapy;
- medical applications based on natural resins.
The need for diet
If osteoarthritis is provoked by obesity, the patient is advised to undergo a diet that will help normalize body weight, which will significantly relieve the load on the joints and improve their functioning. To restore cartilage faster, doctors recommend that patients eat more jellies and broths cooked on the bones. Thanks to the collagen contained in these dishes, connective tissues will begin to regenerate and recover faster. It is also important to monitor the balance and completeness of the diet. Food should be varied, rich in vitamins, micro- and macronutrients.
Prevention
To avoid the progression of such a dangerous and serious disease, it is important to dose the load on the joints, especially the joints of the lower extremities. It is also worth avoiding injuries and fractures, after which the risk of osteoarthritis increases tenfold. It is important to lead an active lifestyle, exercise regularly in the morning, eat right and monitor your weight. Thanks to these rules it will be possible to prevent the occurrence of destructive pathology or recurrence.