Degenerative arthrosis of the joints, with the progression of which destroys cartilage tissue, is often diagnosed in men and women at a young age. The characteristic symptoms of an 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 the cartilaginous structures, a complex treatment is prescribed.
What disease is this?
Osteoarthritis is a common, terrible chronic disease that affects most 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 the cartilage, the periarticular capsule, synovial membrane, muscle and ligament structures and bone tissues are affected. The root cause of the development of such a pathology is considered to be an altered metabolism. A complete cure of the disease is impossible, it will only be possible to lead the patient to remission, so arthrosis, which gradually destroys the joint system, is dangerous. Joint disease is often diagnosed in old age, but it also occurs in young people who are already in their 20s. It is important to diagnose the early stage of its development. This will prevent further complications and help the body deal with the problem.
Reasons for development
The violation of metabolic processes in the articular joints causes the development of the disease to appear. The pathology is characteristic of one or several joints at the same time. Other common causes of osteoarthritis are:
- hormonal changes in women during menopause;
- violation of blood supply to the joints;
- constant hypothermia;
- chronic damage;
- advanced age;
- overweight;
- increased stress on the joints;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- sick thyroid gland;
- hemophilia;
- herpes;
- hepatitis;
- allergies in which bone and joint structures are affected;
- varicose veins;
- rigid diets or unbalanced meals;
- excessive physical activity;
- heredity;
- unfavorable environment.
Arthritic changes are seen in people who work in difficult physical conditions. These are the specific specialties:
- miners;
- bricklayers;
- metallurgical;
- blacksmiths;
- fishermen.
Characteristic stages and symptoms
The signs of arthrosis develop gradually and increase as the pathology progresses. There are 3 stages of arthrosis:
- In the first stage, no morphological changes are manifested, only the synovial composition of the liquid is disturbed, with which the cartilage tissues receive less nutrients, they quickly lose their elasticity and resistance. There is inflammation in the joint cavity, the pain starts to bother you.
- In stage II, the degenerative process develops more actively. The cartilages of the joints are gradually destroyed, the uric acid is not fully excreted from the body, as a result of which the first bone growths appear in the joint. This limits the movement of the joint, so the inflammation progresses, the persistent pain in the limb muscles disturbs.
- Grade III manifests itself as a complete thinning of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint, with deformation of the joint itself being also observed. There are signs of axial changes in the limb. In addition, degenerative disorders in the ligamentous apparatus begin, as a result of which the limb is no longer able to move normally, hypermobility is seen in combination with a violation of the natural range of motion. The pain in stage 3 of the arthrosis is constant, the person cannot lie down, sleep, rest. Complete malnutrition of the joint threatens to interrupt the functioning of the affected limb.
Other symptoms
The disease causes characteristic signs in a person, which are conventionally divided into 4 groups:
- Ache. Severe joint pain, which does not last for long, is the first symptom that characterizes the progression of the pathology. The pain is caused by any movement or physical activity, but at rest the person improves, the discomfort decreases.
- Crunch. This symptom is expressed in the phase of exacerbation of arthrosis. 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 each other. As the crisis increases, the pain syndrome also progresses.
- Impaired joint mobility. Progressive bone arthrosis leads to increased growth of bone formations. As a result, muscle tissue spasms and the gap in the joint joint gradually narrows. The pressure in the joint increases, which also causes the limb to become immobilized.
- Joint deformity. The rapid growth of osteophytes can cause a modification of the compound, but this symptom develops in later stages.
Varieties of joint arthrosis
Distinguish between idiopathic or primary and secondary arthrosis. The first type is an independent disease that occurs as a result of age-related physiological changes. The secondary form, on the other hand, appears in the context of chronic injuries and can manifest at any age - at 20 or 30 years old. Considering which joint is affected, arthrosis is differentiated:
- shoulder or elbow;
- hip or knee;
- spine.
In addition, the disease happens:
- refined;
- not specified.
Because it is dangerous?
Acute arthrosis is terrible because, as the pathology progresses, the spine is involved in degenerative processes, hence the appearance of hernias. Therefore, it is important to treat arthrosis effectively in the early stages of development, when conservative methods can be applied. If the medication is given out of time or if the patient tries to heal on his own, the following disorders begin to appear:
- deformation and destruction of joint elements;
- limitation of limb mobility;
- inability;
- violation of the biomechanics of the spine due to the fact that the disc has shrunk.
Diagnosis
Before prescribing an 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 referred to pass:
- general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
- puncture of synovial fluid, if synovitis of the knee joint is suspected;
- a sample for a biopath's histological examination.
Instrumental diagnosis is performed - radiography. If a patient has gonarthrosis (especially pronounced with varicose veins), radiographs of the knee joint should be taken. With dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the hip joint, this area of the musculoskeletal system is examined. To determine the types of damage to cartilaginous structures, it is recommended to do an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan.
How to treat?
Medical and surgical
Initial arthrosis is treated with conservative therapy. Medicines are selected by a doctor strictly according to an individual schedule. If a person has stomach ulcers or other pathologies of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, oral administration is contraindicated. In that case, the injections will have the appropriate effect. The correct prescription of medications will help to increase the activity of the metabolic processes in the affected areas. Effective groups of drugs, thanks to which remission will be prolonged:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Hormonal corticosteroids;
- Chondroprotectors.
If conservative methods do not produce results, surgical treatment is prescribed. To relieve the joint, palliative operations are indicated. When the joint is completely destroyed, surgical therapy is performed to replace it, called arthroplasty. As new technologies have advanced in the field of prosthesis, people with a replaced joint may have a different, but full, life.
Exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage
Kinesitherapy is the name of a type of therapy developed by a renowned physician. This is a set of physical exercises that must be performed in 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 hospitals that specialize in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage procedures performed by a chiropractor will help to normalize the blood supply and nutrition of diseased areas, as a result of which the condition of the joint joints will gradually improve. If the causes of arthrosis are precisely clarified and there are no contraindications, a course of physiotherapeutic procedures is prescribed, for example, the following:
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- mud therapy;
- medical applications based on natural resins.
The need for a diet
If osteoarthritis is caused by obesity, the patient is advised to follow a diet that will help normalize body weight, which will significantly relieve the load on the joints and improve their functioning. In order for the cartilage tissue to recover more quickly, doctors recommend that your patients eat boiled jellies and broths on bones more often. Thanks to the collagen contained in these plaques, connective tissues will begin to regenerate and repair more quickly. It is also important to monitor the balance and integrity of the diet. Foods should be varied, rich in vitamins, micro and macro elements.
Prophylaxis
To prevent the progression of such a dangerous and serious disease, it is important to dose the load on the joints, especially in the joints of the lower limbs. It is also worth avoiding injuries and fractures, after which the risk of osteoarthritis increases tenfold. It is important to have an active lifestyle, exercise regularly in the morning, eat well and control your weight. Thanks to these rules, it will be possible to protect yourself from the occurrence of destructive pathology or relapse.