arthrosis

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

Variety

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

Primary arthrosis.The initial stage of a chronic disease, in which gradual damage to the cartilage tissue of the joint occurs.Diagnosed at age 45.Primary arthrosis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected, as the risk of disability is high.In the early stages, arthrosis is difficult to detect, because the disease appears in a hidden form.If the patient has a crack in the joint, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), contact an orthopedic doctor 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 impaired.Hormonal imbalances often provoke arthrosis of the hip joint in women.

reason

The disease develops at the age of 45, rarely in young 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 anomalies in the development of joint tissues, which increase the possibility of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• impaired metabolism.It provokes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if it were a foreign object;
• 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 hemorrhages in the joint area;
• excess body weight.Creates additional stress on joints and provokes early wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, improper exercise regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• inheritance;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• improper diet;
• joint tissue operations.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Signs of progression of arthrosis:

• traffic restrictions
• aching pain
• expansion of joint tissue
• increased temperature of the affected area
• joint tissue swelling, the presence of compression and swelling
• severe pains in the evening
• crackling when moving a joint, feeling of bones rubbing

Stages of development of arthrosis

• First.There are no pronounced symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Secondly.Joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Strong but tolerable pain develops.When you move the joint, a clicking sound is heard.The functioning of muscle tissue is impaired.
• Thirdly.The joint tissue becomes thinner and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors notice significant deformity of the joint.Ligaments decrease in length and joint mobility suffers.The contracture progresses.The possibility of subluxations increases.

Complications

If arthrosis is not treated in time, the joint will completely collapse.This will affect the biomechanics of the spine and hernias may appear.Osteoarthritis progresses to other joint tissues.Then the following complications appear:

• joint tissue deformation
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

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

Which doctor should I contact?

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

Diagnosing

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 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT).

An important diagnostic point is the collection of anamnesis and the clinical examination of the patient.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 study in detail the structure of articular tissues and to detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The result is given in digital format or in the form of a picture.

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

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

Treatment of arthrosis

When a diagnosis is made, a further examination and treatment plan are drawn up.Additional examination is needed to address not the effect but the cause.It consists in taking tests to identify the etiology of the disease.For example, with rheumatoid arthritis or gout there will be 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.Then, physiotherapeutic procedures and massage are used.Medicines help relieve pain, but do not prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

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

Drug treatment

For arthrosis, the following groups of drugs are prescribed.

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

Joint injections

Therapeutic drug blockades are an effective method for treating pain due to arthrosis.Their advantages:

• reducing muscle tension
• quick pain relief effect
• relief of inflammation
• long-term therapeutic effect
• restoring joint mobility.

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

Physiotherapy for joint arthrosis

• Shock wave therapy.This method uses high frequency current.Shock wave therapy for joint arthrosis restores the permeability of endothelial cells, eliminates joint inflammation and swelling, improves blood flow in the affected area and stimulates repair processes.
• Kinesio taping.Elastic bands called tapes are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.Also, kinesio taping for joint arthrosis facilitates blood circulation and lymphatic 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 stages 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, lowers blood cholesterol levels, increases the tissue's ability to regenerate, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.Helps relieve sharp pains and fatigue after walking.Massage for arthrosis should not be focused only on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The massage therapist performs soothing and rotating movements in the spine area, massages the lumbar and sacral area, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs light strokes and compressions.
• 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 goes away.Leech treatment for arthrosis is contraindicated for people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medications and physiotherapy, other treatment methods are often used for arthrosis.

• Exercise therapy.You can do therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical exercises for arthrosis include static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of the former.They should be performed slowly and smoothly - sharp movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.The external use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a resolving and analgesic effect.Compresses with medical 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 braces.Need to fix the joint.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthosis.These are bandages - orthopedic products designed to relieve stress on 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 by inserting them at points from 9 to 18. For gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and the popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for arthrosis.It helps to quickly restore knee function.Ozone molecules relieve inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.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, since the cells themselves are somewhat dry and need to be diluted.After that, the injection is injected into the knee joint.One injection is enough, which gives 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, tobacco and drugs
• do not overcool the joints
• reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-finished products
• eat more vegetables, fruit, whole grains and cartilage (jelly)
• avoid excess body weight
• avoid excessive stress
• perform preventive exercises
• do physical exercise every day
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a course of vitamins once in 6 months
• undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are done for arthrosis?

It is necessary to pass the minimum article tests.These are uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma and a complete blood count.If infectious symptoms are suspected, a biopsy 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 warm up your joints before being examined by a doctor.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Is it possible to play sports with arthrosis?

For arthrosis, skiing and cycling are useful.The pedals must turn smoothly so as not to damage the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet for arthrosis

Proper nutrition for arthrosis of the joints helps in recovery.Doctors recommend including foods rich in vitamins and microelements in your diet.Fruit, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat are recommended.It is best to avoid smoked products, fast food products, sweets, baked goods, fatty meat and processed foods.