Possible causes of arthrosis and its treatment

Arthrosis is a pathology in which there is a gradual deformation of the joints. In the early stages, cartilage and ligaments are destroyed. The process is slow, so the disease is detected already in the final stages of development. In the future, this can lead to loss of mobility and disability.

The risk of developing osteoarthritis increases with age. This disease affects men and women equally.

symptoms

Joint pain during movement is the main symptom of this disease, for which many seek medical help in time. Discomfort is manifested during long walks or vigorous physical exercise.

What is arthrosis, the doctor will tell during the diagnosis of the disease. Pathology can be suspected when the following symptoms appear:

  • night pain due to venous blood stagnation and increased pressure in the joints;
  • the appearance of crispness due to the friction of collapsing cartilage;
  • increased pain during heavy loads, this is especially expressed in knee arthrosis during squats, sports (running, jumping, lifting weights), carrying weights;
  • meteorological dependence, when the affected joints start to hurt when the weather changes, especially before heavy rain or snow, cold;
  • morning stiffness.

The difference between arthrosis and osteoarthritis, the doctor's answer

A doctor and popular health television host said that the terms "arthrosis" and "osteoarthritis" mean a disease in which cartilage breaks down and bone tissue grows.

With arthrosis, the cartilaginous tissue of the joint surface is destroyed, the mobility of the limbs is limited, severe pain appears. Pathology is diagnosed in men and women over the age of 40 (the main reason in women is the onset of menopause, when hormonal changes in the body occur).

Osteoarthritis is manifested as a result of the deformation of articular cartilage and affects the bone tissue, affecting the entire joint, which leads to disability.

Other diseases with similar symptoms

There are several diseases that have symptoms similar to arthrosis:

  1. Humeroscapular periarthritis, cervical osteochondrosis, osteoporosis and shoulder joint arthritis.
  2. Elbow epicondylitis, degenerative osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis of the hand.
  3. Coxarthrosis.
  4. Rheumatoid and infectious arthritis in children.

Types of arthrosis according to localization

Varieties of the disease vary depending on where the diseased joint is located. The mildest type of pathology is the shoulder. Osteoarthritis can be diagnosed:

  • cervical area;
  • knee joint (affects both legs, but develops to varying degrees);
  • ankle;
  • hip joint (pathological features of the elderly).
body joints affected by arthrosis

Cause of disease

The disease can develop without a reason (idiopathic or primary). Pathological processes in the body often give rise to secondary forms of pathology. Reasons for the development of arthrosis:

  • injuries (dislocations, bruises, fractures, torn ligaments, damage to the meniscus);
  • congenital anomalies in joint development (dysplasia);
  • metabolic diseases;
  • autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus);
  • inflammatory process (acute purulent arthritis);
  • infectious diseases (tuberculosis, encephalitis, gonorrhea, syphilis);
  • pathology of the endocrine system (thyroid disease);
  • hemophilia;
  • age-related changes in the body;
  • frequent hypothermia.

Diagnostics

healthy and arthritic joints

There are several diagnostic methods:

  • x-ray examination;
  • arthroscopy (examination with a video camera inserted into the joint through a 4-5 mm incision);
  • blood analysis;
  • histological examination of the synovium (with arthrosis, integument cells do not regenerate, atrophic villi appear, the number of vessels decreases).
knee arthroscopy for osteoarthritis

The degree of damage to the joint

Classification is used, including 4 degrees of disease development.

First stage (the disease does not affect the ability to work):

  • slight limitation of joint movement in one direction only;
  • no bone growth on x-ray;
  • uneven cartilage surface;
  • joint space narrowing begins.

Second stage (affecting the ability to work):

  • average movement restriction;
  • strong crunch when changing the position of the limbs;
  • partial atrophy of nearby muscles;
  • bone growth, osteophytes;
  • lumen gap is less than the norm by 2-3 times.

Third stage (disability):

  • joint deformities;
  • movement is limited;
  • pain during movement and rest (relieved with painkillers);
  • no shared space;
  • muscles become atrophied;
  • ossification of the articular surface.

Fourth stage:

  • severe pain that does not go away after taking painkillers.
  • complete destruction of the joint.

Basic Treatment

Arthritis therapy includes several methods. To achieve positive results, it is necessary to take medications, monitor weight. Physiotherapy, kinesiotherapy prescribed. In severe cases, surgical treatment is performed.

medicine

The main task in the treatment of arthrosis is the removal of pain. For this, drugs of different groups are prescribed:

  1. Non-steroidal drugs in the form of tablets, suppositories, ointments, gels, injections. Long-term use of these drugs has an adverse effect on cartilage tissue.
  2. Corticosteroids. They are used in severe cases to relieve pain, not slow the progression of the disease. With uncontrolled use, cartilage thins.
  3. Analgesic, antispasmodic. Less inflammation relief, but effective for pain relief.
  4. Chondroprotectors. These are the main drugs for the treatment of arthrosis, they provide cartilage tissue with nutrients, stimulate cell regeneration. They do not have a quick effect, the condition of the joints improves gradually. Effective even at stage 3 disease.
  5. Vasodilator drugs. It is necessary to improve blood circulation, eliminate spasms of small vessels. Enhances the action of chondroprotectors.

Physiotherapy

compressing the knee joint with arthrosis

With arthrosis, physiotherapy is used effectively. The procedure includes heating the joint. Dry heat slows down the destruction of bone and cartilage tissue, reduces pain and improves the general condition of the patient.

The following methods are used to treat the disease:

  1. ultrasonic effect. High frequency sound acts on body tissues, causing several beneficial effects. With micromassage, muscles are heated, blood flow in the capillaries improves, and metabolic processes are accelerated.
  2. Electrophoresis. Under the influence of low voltage current, the drug is injected into the problem area without affecting other parts of the body.
  3. magnetic therapy. The use of the method helps reduce inflammatory reactions, strengthen blood vessels, increase blood flow and accelerate cell regeneration in problem areas.
  4. Exposure to radiation (use of infrared, ultraviolet or laser radiation). It is used in addition to other physiotherapy methods or when it is contraindicated for its use.

Surgery

If there are no positive dynamics in the treatment of arthrosis, surgical methods are used:

  1. Operative intervention. There are 4 types: joint preservation, joint replacement, joint cutting, joint strengthening. The choice depends on the stage of development of the disease, on the intensity of the pain, the individual characteristics of the patient.
  2. Puncture. It is carried out with progressive arthrosis. It performs 2 functions: relieves pain in damaged joints and relieves tension in the capsule, removing substances from it that destroy cartilage tissue. It is an informative diagnostic method. During this procedure, after local anesthesia, drugs are injected into the joint.
  3. Arthroscopy. Usually done on an outpatient basis. During the procedure, parts of cartilage or bone can be removed from the joint, the meniscus can be treated, the ligament apparatus is rebuilt, and the surface of the joint deformed during arthrosis can be cleaned. It is performed under general or local anesthesia.
  4. Arthrotomy. Joint opening is performed if arthroscopy does not give positive results. It is indicated for prolonged joint swelling and persistent severe pain that is not relieved by medication. It is advisable if you want to remove large pieces of cartilage or bone tissue.
arthrotomy surgery for arthrosis

The operation to change the position of the joint is carried out in cases where it is necessary to correct the position of the bones, with defects in the joint structure, as a prevention of arthrosis.

exercise therapy

Physiotherapy exercises can help in the early stages of the disease, when the joints are not yet deformed. Active movement slows down the course of the disease, but with joint damage, when the disease has moved to a later stage, physical exercise can contribute to the development of aggravation and tissue destruction in the problem area.

You need to do it only after consulting an expert who will help you choose a set of exercises and master the implementation methodology. The first training should be conducted under the supervision of an instructor.

When exercising, you must follow the rules:

  1. Avoid putting pressure on the injured joint.
  2. Moderate exercise does not cause joint destruction.
  3. Rest and exercise must be balanced.
  4. Heavy loads and high movement intensity cause increased pain and trigger joint swelling.
  5. In any position of the body, it is necessary to remember the correct posture.

Regular exercises of exercise therapy help to increase the range of motion, relax the muscles, and improve the general condition of the patient.

Manual therapy

In combination with drugs in the treatment of arthrosis, manual therapy methods are used that increase the mobility of damaged joints, prevent muscle atrophy, and have a positive effect on the patient's entire body.

During the session, the following manipulations are performed:

  1. Relaxation (complete relaxation) of the muscles involved in the work of the diseased joint.
  2. Perform low-frequency mobilization of the articular surface to expand the range of motion of the joint to its mobility limit.
  3. Acupressure follows the Schwartz method to bring the muscles to a state of rest.
  4. The use of laser therapy and apparatus.
self massage for arthritis

ethnoscience

Folk remedies are actively used in the treatment of arthrosis to activate the production of collagen - the basis of tendons and cartilage. They also relieve joint swelling and reduce pain. Recipes include herbs such as thyme, cinquefoil, dandelion (root), strawberry and birch leaves, and willow bark.

birch leaves for the treatment of arthrosis

There is a simple but effective way to use birch leaves. To do this, you need to choose comfortable clothing that fits the area affected by arthrosis (high socks or stockings are suitable for ankles, tight socks for knee treatment, and closed leggings for hip joints). At night, you need to cover the diseased joints with leaves and wear suitable clothes. You can't wrap cloth with polyethylene.

Leaves remove salt, toxins and cholesterol deposits from diseased joints, the skin after the procedure becomes smooth and velvety. The course of treatment is 6-7 procedures, before use, a doctor's consultation is necessary, because. There may be contraindications for use.

In folk medicine, ointments, infusions, freshly squeezed juices, compresses are used to combat arthrosis, which are often recommended by doctors in combination with medications. The action of all non-traditional medicines is aimed at reducing pain and swelling of damaged joints, tissue repair, and improving the general condition of the patient.

But you should not take the medicine yourself, otherwise complications may arise.

Is it necessary to revise the diet

With arthrosis, it is necessary to adjust nutrition, which should be aimed at improving metabolic processes, reducing body weight if necessary, strengthening connective tissues and ligaments and cartilage. No special diet. To achieve good results in treatment, the following rules must be followed:

  1. Take into account the calorie content of food so that in patients with normal weight it remains stable, and in overweight patients it returns to normal.
  2. Fatty, smoked dishes, semi-finished products containing flavor enhancers, dyes and preservatives are prohibited.
  3. Products should be natural: low-fat types of fish and meat, seafood rich in minerals and vitamins, fresh fruits and vegetables, durum cheese, butter, low-fat cottage cheese, nuts, chicken eggs, rye bread and bran, qualityhigh in vegetable oils rich in unsaturated fatty acids.
  4. It is necessary to limit the daily intake of salt to 8 g.
  5. Drink at least 2-2. 5 liters of water a day.
  6. Include in the diet foods that include natural chondroprotectors: lean chicken, cartilage, red fish, hard cheese. Increasing the use of gelatin, which normalizes the structure of cartilage tissue, strengthens it. To do this, you need to include various jellies, jellies, aspic fish, kissels in the menu in the menu.
  7. It is necessary to spend 2-3 unloading days per week (cottage cheese, kefir, fruit and vegetable days).

What are the dangers of various stages of the disease

In the early stages of the disease, arthrosis is manifested by periodic pain in the joints and partial limitation of mobility. The danger of this disease is that if you ignore the first symptoms, then at the next stage of development, the pathology will lead to the destruction of the articular tissue. The result - complete loss of mobility. Patients are assigned disability groups depending on the stage of disease development and joint condition.

Prevention

Prevention of arthrosis is as follows:

  1. Weight control.
  2. Proper balanced diet.
  3. Moderate physical activity.
  4. Avoid hypothermia in the joints.
  5. Wear comfortable shoes.
  6. Healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

The danger of this disease is that a person can lose mobility completely. Knowing the symptoms of the disease, the causes of its development and methods of struggle, you can get rid of pathology at an early stage.