Arthrosis

Arthrosis is a degenerative process of articular cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, cartilage loses its elasticity.The disease progresses if the synthesis of joint cells is impaired.

Varieties

Depending on the cause, primary and secondary arthrosis are distinguished.

Primary arthrosis.The initial stage of a chronic disease, in which there is gradual damage to the cartilage tissue of the joint.Diagnosed at age 45.Primary arthrosis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected because the risk of damage is high.In the early stages, arthrosis is difficult to detect, as the disease proceeds in a hidden form.If the patient has creaking in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), contact an orthopedist immediately.In the early stages, it is possible to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue and prevent the further development of arthrosis.

Secondary arthrosis.It develops against the background of changes in the metabolic process, for example, when blood circulation and lymph flow are disturbed.Hormonal imbalance often provokes arthrosis of the hip joint in women.

Reasons

The disease develops over the age of 45, rarely in younger people.Its development is influenced by:

• physical damage to bones and ligaments.They provoke damage to large tissues, which can lead to arthrosis of the knee joint;
• congenital abnormalities in the development of joint tissues that increase the likelihood of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• disturbed metabolism.It provokes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as a foreign body;
• inflammatory joint diseases.For example, arthritis;
• tuberculosis of bone tissue;
• diseases of the endocrine system.For example diabetes;
• degenerative diseases.For example, Perthes disease;
• diseases that provoke weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent bleeding in the joint area;
• overweight.Creates additional stress on the joint and provokes early wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, improper training regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalance;
• lack of vitamins;
• improper diet;
• operations on joint tissues.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Signs of progression of arthrosis:

• traffic restrictions
• aching pain
• enlargement of joint tissue
• increased temperature of the affected area
• swelling of joint tissue, presence of compaction and swelling
• severe pain in the evening
• crunching when moving the joint, feeling of bone rubbing

Stages of development of arthrosis

• First.There are no pronounced symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Second.The joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.A strong but tolerable pain develops.A crunch is heard when the joint moves.The functioning of the muscle tissue is impaired.
• third.The joint tissue thins and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors note a significant deformation of the joint.Ligaments decrease in length and joint mobility suffers.Contracture progresses.The likelihood of subluxations increases.

Complications

If arthrosis is not treated in time, the joint will completely disintegrate.This will affect the biomechanics of the spine and herniations may occur.Osteoarthritis progresses in other joint tissues.Then the following complications arise:

• joint tissue deformation
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

The first group of disability is defined for patients with impaired motor activity.The second - with partial loss of motor function.The third group has minor limitations of motor activity.That is, they can move independently, but slowly and with frequent rest stops.

Which doctor should I contact?

At the first symptoms of arthrosis, contact an arthrologist.He specializes in the treatment of joints.If your condition is severe, make an appointment with an orthopedist.

Diagnosis

First of all, the simplest method is used - X-ray examination of the joint.Then they do an ultrasound.And the most reliable and informative diagnostic methods are nuclear magnetic resonance (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

An important diagnostic point is the collection of anamnesis and clinical examination of the patient.The symptoms will help the doctor to correctly determine the diagnosis, even if it is not possible to do an MRI.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to examine in detail the structure of joint tissues and to detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The result is provided in digital format or in the form of a photo.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).Thanks to radio waves and magnetic radiation, it allows you to see a clear image of the tissue.The procedure lasts 10-20 minutes.After 30 minutes, the patient can receive the test report.

Ultrasound of the joint is prescribed for rheumatological diseases and injuries.The procedure is based on the use of ultrasound waves.The scanner records acoustic vibrations and the result appears on the monitor.

Treatment of arthrosis

After the diagnosis is made, an additional examination and treatment plan is prepared.Further investigation is needed to treat the cause rather than the effect.It consists of taking tests to identify the etiology of the disease.For example, rheumatoid arthritis or gout will have an increased amount of uric acid.

The course of treatment depends on the stage of development of the disease.First, pain and inflammation are relieved.Physiotherapy procedures and massage are then used.Medicines help relieve pain, but do not prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

The doctor can also prescribe treatment in a sanatorium-resort environment and recommend a set of physical exercises.In the final stages of the disease, operations are resorted to.If there are no complications, this method can restore the motor activity of the joint tissue.

Drug treatment

The following groups of drugs are prescribed for arthrosis.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Needed for urgent relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve anabolism in the cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction and remove edema.
• Vasodilators.It is used to relieve spasm of small vessels and improve blood flow.
• Pain relievers.
• Antispasmodics.It is used when muscle spasms occur.
• Analgesics.It helps to get rid of the pain.
• Ointments.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and alleviate the patient's condition.

Injections into the joint

Therapeutic drug blockades are an effective method of treating pain caused by arthrosis.Their advantages:

• reducing muscle tension
• fast pain-relieving effect
• relieve inflammation
• long-term therapeutic effect
• restoration of joint mobility.

Antiseptics and antibiotics are used for drug blockades, injections with hyaluronic acid to protect the cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate cartilage recovery.It is recommended to make 3-5 injections with an interval of 5-7 days.

Physiotherapy for arthrosis of the joints

• Shock wave therapy.This method uses high frequency current.Shock wave therapy for joint arthrosis restores the permeability of endothelial cells, removes inflammation and swelling of the joints, improves blood circulation in the affected area and stimulates reparative processes.
• Kinesio taping.Elastic bands called tapes are placed over the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.Also, kinesio taping for joint arthrosis facilitates blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Manual therapy for arthrosis is effective as part of complex treatment.Improves mobility of diseased joints and prevents atrophic processes.Manual therapy relieves pain, increases joint mobility and eliminates muscle spasms.It is prescribed for the initial and middle stage of arthrosis.
• Laser therapy for arthrosis relieves pain, has an anti-edematous effect, relieves inflammation and reduces the risk of surgery in the later stages of the disease.Laser treatment of arthrosis restores muscle function, relieves muscle tension, reduces blood cholesterol levels, increases the ability of tissues to regenerate, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• massage.Helps relieve acute pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for arthrosis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The massage therapist performs stroking and rotational movements in the spine area, massages the lumbar and sacral area, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs stroking and light pinching.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches inject useful enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood is diluted, the blood supply to the affected area improves, the elasticity of the joints increases and the pain disappears.Treatment with leeches for arthrosis is contraindicated in people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to drugs and physical therapy, other methods are often used to treat arthrosis.

• Exercise therapy.You can do therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical exercises for arthrosis include static and dynamic loads, and the former should be more.They should be performed slowly and smoothly - sudden movements are contraindicated.
• Medicinal bile.The external use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a dissolving and analgesic effect.Compresses with healing bile can be applied if there is no external damage to the skin.
• vitamins.Take vitamins of groups A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee pads.Necessary to fix the joint.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the work of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthotics.These are bandages - orthopedic products designed to relieve tension in the knee joint.They stop the development of pathological processes.They are used to limit unwanted joint movement.
• Acupuncture.It relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles, placing them in points from 9 to 18. In gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for arthrosis.Helps to quickly restore knee function.Ozone molecules relieve inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method where the patient's blood is used.Platelets with plasma are isolated from it and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.In everyday life it happens like this: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.The same effect is achieved in the knee joint by injecting these drugs.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined method of regeneration that began to be used quite recently.The stem cells are removed from the fat and mixed with the plasma, as the cells themselves are a bit dry and need to be diluted.The injection is then injected into the knee joint.One injection is enough, which gives an effect for 4-5 years.

Prevention of arthrosis

To reduce the risk of complications and prevent the destruction of joint tissue, it is recommended:

• give up alcohol, smoking and drugs
• don't overcool your joints
• reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-finished products
• eat more vegetables, fruits, grains and cartilage (jelly)
• avoid being overweight
• avoid excessive stress
• do preventive exercises
• do exercise daily
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a course of vitamins once every 6 months
• once a year he undergoes a preventive examination.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are done for osteoarthritis?

It is necessary to pass tests of the joint minimum.These are uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma and complete blood count.If infectious symptoms are suspected, a puncture is taken from the knee or hip joint.

Is it possible to warm the joints with arthrosis?

If you have arthrosis, it is better not to heat your joints before a doctor's examination.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Is it possible to play sports with arthrosis?

Skiing and cycling are useful for arthrosis.The pedals must rotate smoothly so as not to injure the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet for arthrosis

Proper nutrition in arthrosis of the joints helps recovery.Doctors recommend that you include foods with a high content of vitamins and trace elements in your diet.Fruits, rye bread and bran, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat are recommended.It is better to avoid smoked products, fast food products, sweets, baked goods, fatty meats and processed foods.