Along with arthritis, osteoarthritis is one of the most common joint diseases, especially in the second half of life.Without timely and high-quality treatment, this disease can lead to limb disability.
What is osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is a disease of the joints, which is based on the process of degenerative changes in the cartilage that arise as a result of a deterioration in its nutrition (trophism) or a disruption in its configuration, for example, after an injury.
Osteoarthritis-arthritis is a disease characterized not only by degenerative processes in the joint, but also by its inflammation.
Deforming osteoarthritis is osteoarthritis.One of its manifestations is the proliferation of bone tissue, which leads 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 adjacent tissues (e.g. tendons, ligaments).
Hemarthrosis is bleeding into the joint cavity.
Causes of osteoarthritis
The main cause of osteoarthritis is a metabolic disorder in the cartilage tissue.As a result, the cartilage loses its elasticity and gradually begins to deteriorate.
The causes of metabolic disorders and the development of degenerative joint changes are diverse.These could be:
- hormonal disorders,
- female,
- Loss of proteoglycans through cartilage tissue,
- aging of the body,
- increased stress on the joints due to certain activities or excess weight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, prolonged wearing of tight and uncomfortable shoes, including high heels, can lead to osteoarthritis of the ankle and foot.Changes in the joints of the hands are observed primarily in representatives of those professions in which a significant part of the load falls on the hands (while arthrosis occurs much more often in women).
In addition, osteoarthritis of the knee, hip or ankle joint is caused by various injuries (post-traumatic osteoarthritis).
Types and symptoms of osteoarthritis
Osteoarthritis is classified according to the degree of joint damage:
- 1st degree - the joints retain their mobility, practically no changes are visible on the X-ray.The patient may only be bothered by a slight grinding or a slight aching pain.
- 2nd degree - a person suffering from arthrosis feels discomfort in the joint area, mobility of the limb is impaired, periodic pains become stronger and longer, the first signs of joint deformation are detected on X-ray or ultrasound.
- Grade 3 – movements in the joint 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 deformation of this area.
Rheumatoid osteoarthritis
Most often, this term refers to degenerative-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 exacerbation of degenerative processes in the articular and periarticular tissues.
Non-concealed osteoarthritis
This is the occurrence of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine.The main symptoms of arthrosis of this localization:
- pronounced crunching sound when turning the head,
- Pain in the neck (especially after sitting or standing for long periods of time),
- Headache,
- Dizziness,
- Fluctuations in blood pressure.
An x-ray examination can reveal a subluxation of the neck joints.
In addition, arthrosis is distinguished:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- Ankle joints (Crushatron),
- other areas of the spine,
- jaw joint etc.
How and with what do you treat osteoarthritis?
Before deciding on home treatment, you should consult a doctor and determine the exact cause of this disease.For this purpose, 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 factors, etc.), as well as X-ray, ultrasound, MRI or CT of the joints.If necessary, the examination is supplemented by a diagnostic arthroscopy.
The doctor then makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment for the joint.
What principles is the treatment of osteoarthritis based on?
- Elimination of the cause of the disease.In rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, the underlying disease is treated and a stable remission is achieved.
- Normalization of joint nutrition, metabolism and blood circulation.For this purpose, chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid preparations, drugs to improve local and systemic blood circulation, antiplatelet agents and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, for severe pain, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are prescribed that have a good analgesic effect.
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 rubs are used.
Physiotherapy
To relieve pain and inflammation, ultraviolet irradiation in erythema doses, laser therapy, UHF, microwave, electro- and phonophoresis are often used.In addition to physiotherapeutic interventions, regular joint exercises and spa treatments are also useful for osteoarthritis.
Surgical treatment
Typically this involves partial or total joint replacement or plastic surgery.It can be performed both in the traditional way and with endoscopic and minimally invasive procedures, including arthroscopy.Surgery is indicated when conservative treatment does not produce the desired result, as well as in cases of severe joint deformities and loss of mobility.
Prevention
Preventing osteoarthritis initially includes diet, exercise and avoiding hypothermia.
diet
The diet for osteoarthritis does not require any serious restrictions.In general, it is a balanced diet that includes all major food groups, drinking enough fluids, and containing fresh vegetables and fruits.Many experts recommend regularly including jellied meats, rich broths and similar dishes in the menu, unless a doctor contraindicates them.The only significant limitation is the calorie content of the food.It is necessary to monitor your body weight because excess weight accelerates wear and tear on your joints.
Spicy and spicy food in itself does not have a significant effect on arthrosis, but it should be noted that many people suffering from this disease are forced to take painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, most of which have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa.In addition, in order not to impair the blood supply to the joint, it is advisable to limit foods rich in cholesterol, which lead to increased blood viscosity.For these reasons, it is advisable to exclude such dishes from your daily menu if you have osteoarthritis.
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity improve blood flow and blood flow to joint tissues and also strengthen muscles.The most useful exercises for osteoarthritis are swimming, walking and skiing.Cycling or training on an exercise bike has proven to be effective for coxarthrosis and gonarthrosis in combination with obesity.
Avoid hypothermia
Joints “love” when a person dresses appropriately for the weather and thus protects all parts of the body evenly from the cold.Any local hypothermia leads to a weakening of the body's defenses, which can lead to subsequent inflammation of the joints and the development of degenerative processes in them.