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 cause limb deformities.
What is arthrosis?
Arthrosis is a joint disease, which is based on the process of degenerative changes in the cartilage that develops as a result of a deterioration in its nutrition (trophism) or a disturbance in its configuration, for example, after an injury.
Arthrosis-arthritis is a disease characterized not only by the degenerative process that occurs in the joints, but also by their inflammation.
Deformation of osteoarthritis is arthrosis, one of its manifestations is the proliferation of bone tissue, which leads to deformation of the ends of the bones that make up 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 into the joint cavity.
Causes of arthrosis
The main cause of the development of arthrosis is a metabolic disorder that occurs in cartilage tissue.As a result, the cartilage loses its elasticity and begins to deteriorate gradually.
The causes of metabolic disorders and the development of degenerative changes in the joints are diverse.This could be:
- hormonal disorders,
- girl,
- loss of proteoglycans by cartilage tissue,
- body aging,
- increased pressure on the joints due to engaging in certain types of activity or being overweight,
- various chronic diseases.
In women, arthrosis of the ankle and foot joints 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 most of the load falls on the hands (while arthrosis is more common in women).
In addition, arthrosis of the knee, hip or ankle joints is provoked by various injuries (post-traumatic arthrosis).
Types and symptoms of arthrosis
Arthrosis is classified according to the degree of joint damage:
- Degree 1 - the joint retains its mobility, almost no changes are visible on x-ray.The patient may only be disturbed by a slight dryness or a mild ache.
- 2nd degree - a person suffering from arthrosis experiences discomfort in the joint area, limb movement is impaired, periodic pain becomes more pronounced and prolonged, early signs of joint deformation are detected on x-ray or ultrasound.
- Grade 3 - movement in the joint is limited, the patient experiences severe pain (even at rest), characteristic changes are observed on x-rays.
Sometimes experts also distinguish the fourth stage of arthrosis, which is characterized by severe pain and serious deformation of this area.
Rheumatoid arthritis
Often, this term refers to degenerative-destructive changes in the joints that develop as a result of another disease - rheumatoid arthritis.Rheumatoid arthritis itself changes the configuration of the articular surface, which involves a violation of conformity and the severity of the degenerative process in the articular and periarticular tissues.
Non-covertebral arthrosis
This is the appearance of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the cervical spine.The main symptoms of osteoarthritis of this localization:
- pulsating sound when turning the head,
- neck pain (especially after sitting or standing for a long time),
- headache,
- dizziness,
- fluctuations in blood pressure.
An X-ray examination may reveal subluxation of the cervical joint.
In addition, arthrosis is distinguished:
- knee (gonarthrosis),
- hip joint (coxarthrosis),
- ankle joint (crushatron),
- other parts of the spine,
- temporomandibular joint, etc.
How and with what to treat arthrosis?
Before deciding how to treat it at home, you need to visit a doctor and determine the true 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 acute 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 with diagnostic arthroscopy.
Next, the doctor makes an accurate diagnosis and prescribes the appropriate treatment for the joint.
What is the principle of arthrosis treatment based on?
- Elimination of the cause of disease.In the case of rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, the underlying disease is treated, achieving a stable remission.
- Normalization of joint nutrition, metabolism and blood circulation.For this purpose, chondroprotectors, preparations of hyaluronic acid, drugs that increase local and systemic blood flow, antiplatelet agents, and vitamins are used.
- Symptomatic therapy.As a rule, for severe pain, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs that have a good analgesic effect are prescribed.
Ointments, gels, creams that have anti-inflammatory and distracting effects are applied locally to the joint area 2-3 times a day, compresses with dimexide are used, and rubs are used.
Physiotherapy
To relieve pain and inflammation, ultraviolet irradiation in erythema doses, laser therapy, UHF, microwaves, 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
Usually this is a partial or complete joint replacement or plastic surgery.It can be performed in traditional ways, as well as using endoscopic and minimally invasive surgery, including arthroscopy.Surgery is indicated in cases where conservative treatment does not have the desired effect, as well as in cases of severe joint deformation and loss of mobility.
Prevention
First of all, the prevention of arthrosis includes diet, exercise and avoiding hypothermia.
Diet
Nutrition for arthrosis does not require any serious restrictions.In general, this is a balanced diet, including all major food groups, drinking enough fluids, as well as fresh vegetables and fruits.Many experts recommend periodically including jellied meat, rich soups 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 your weight, as excess weight accelerates wear and tear on your joints.
Spicy and burning foods by themselves do not have a significant effect on arthrosis, but it should be remembered that many people suffering from this disease have to use painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs, most of which have a negative effect on the gastric mucosa.It is also advised to limit foods that are rich in cholesterol and lead to increased blood viscosity so that the blood supply to the joints is not affected.For these reasons, it is advisable to exclude such dishes from your daily menu if you have arthrosis.
Exercising
Exercise and physical activity improve blood circulation and blood supply to joint tissue, and also strengthen muscles.The most useful exercises for arthrosis are swimming, walking, and skiing.For coxarthrosis, gonarthrosis in combination with excess body weight, cycling or exercising on an exercise bike has worked well.
Avoid hypothermia
Joints "love" when a person dresses according to the weather, equally protecting all parts of his body from the cold.Any local hypothermia causes a weakening of the body's defenses, which can lead to further joint inflammation and the development of degenerative processes in it.