Along with arthritis, arthrosis 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 arthrosis?
Arthrosis is a disease of the joints, which is based on the process of degenerative changes in cartilage that develop as a result of deterioration in its nutrition (trophism) or disruption 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, one of the manifestations 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 hemorrhage into the joint cavity.
Causes of arthrosis
The leading cause of the development of arthrosis is a metabolic disorder occurring in cartilage tissue.As a result, the cartilage loses its 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,
- female,
- loss of proteoglycans by cartilage tissue,
- aging of the body,
- increased stress on the joints due to engaging in a certain type of activity or being overweight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, arthrosis of the ankle joint and foot can occur due to prolonged wearing of narrow and uncomfortable shoes, including high heels.Changes in the joints of the hands are observed mainly in representatives of those professions where a significant part of the load falls on the hands (while arthrosis is much more common in women).
In addition, arthrosis of the knee, hip or ankle joint is provoked by various injuries (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Types and symptoms of arthrosis
Arthrosis is classified according to the degree of joint damage:
- 1st degree - the joints retain their mobility, there are practically no visible changes on an x-ray.The patient may only be bothered by a slight crunch or a slight aching pain.
- 2nd degree - a person suffering from arthrosis experiences a feeling of discomfort in the joint area, the mobility of the limb is impaired, periodic pain becomes more pronounced and prolonged, early signs of joint deformation are detected on an x-ray or ultrasound.
- Grade 3 - movements in the joint are limited, the patient experiences severe pain (even at rest), characteristic changes are observed on x-rays.
Sometimes experts also distinguish the fourth degree of arthrosis, characterized by intense pain and serious deformations of this area.
Rheumatoid arthrosis
Most often, this term refers to degenerative-destructive changes in the joint that developed as a result of another disease - rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis itself changes the configuration of the articular surfaces, which entails a violation of their congruence and aggravation of degenerative processes in the articular and periarticular tissues.
Uncovertebral arthrosis
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,
- pain in the neck (especially after prolonged sitting or standing),
- headache,
- dizziness,
- fluctuations in blood pressure.
X-ray examination may reveal subluxation of the cervical joints.
In addition, arthrosis is distinguished:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- ankle joints (crushatron),
- other areas of the spine,
- temporomandibular joint, etc.
How and with what to treat arthrosis?
Before deciding how to treat it at home, you should visit a doctor and determine the exact cause of this disease.To do this, the doctor usually examines the patient and prescribes a series of additional laboratory and instrumental tests, including various biochemical blood tests (for example, for acuti-phase reactions, the presence of rheumatoid factor, etc.), as well as radiography, ultrasound, MRI or CT of the joints.If necessary, the examination is supplemented by diagnostic arthroscopy.
Next, the doctor makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes appropriate treatment for the joint.
What principles are the treatment of arthrosis based on?
- Elimination of the cause of the disease.In the case of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, the underlying disease is treated, achieving its stable remission.
- Normalization of joint nutrition, metabolism and blood circulation.For this purpose, chondroprotectors, hyaluronic acid preparations, medications that improve local and systemic blood flow, antiplatelet agents, and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, for intense pain, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs that have a good analgesic effect are prescribed.
Ointments, gels, creams that have an anti-inflammatory and distracting effect 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 widely used.In addition to physiotherapeutic procedures, regular therapeutic exercises for joints and spa treatment are useful for arthrosis.
Surgical treatment
Usually this is a partial or complete replacement of the joint or its plastic surgery.It can be performed in the traditional way, as well as using 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
First of all, prevention of arthrosis includes diet, exercise and avoidance of hypothermia.
Diet
Nutrition for arthrosis does not require any serious restrictions.In general, this is a balanced diet, including all the main food groups, drinking enough liquid, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.Many experts recommend periodically including jellied meat, rich broths and other similar dishes in the menu, unless they are contraindicated by a doctor.The only significant limitation is the caloric content of food.It is necessary to monitor your body weight, because excess weight accelerates wear and tear on your joints.
Spicy and burning 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, most of which negatively affect the gastric mucosa.It is also advisable to limit foods that are rich in cholesterol and lead to increased blood viscosity so that the blood supply to the joint is not impaired.For these reasons, it is advisable to exclude such dishes from your daily menu if you have arthrosis.
Exercise
Exercise and physical activity improve blood circulation and blood supply to joint tissues, and also strengthens muscles.The most useful exercises for arthrosis are swimming, walking, and skiing.For coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis in combination with excess weight, cycling or exercise on an exercise bike has worked well.
Avoiding hypothermia
Joints “love” when a person dresses according to the weather, evenly protecting all parts of his 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.