Arthrosis

Arthrosis is a degenerative process of articular cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, the cartilage loses elasticity.When the synthesis of joint cells is disturbed, the disease progresses.

Varieties

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

Primary arthrosis.In the initial stage of a chronic disease, joint cartilage tissue is gradually damaged.He was diagnosed at the age of 45.Primary arthrosis progresses and treatment should not be neglected, as the risk of disability is high.It is difficult to detect arthrosis in the early stages, because the disease occurs in a hidden form.If the patient has a crisis in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), immediately consult an orthopedic doctor.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 causes arthrosis of the hip joint in women.

Reasons

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

• physical damage to bones and ligaments.They cause damage to large tissues that 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 cause weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent bleeding in the joint area;
• excess body weight.It creates additional stress on the joint and causes early wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, improper exercise routine or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalance;
• vitamin deficiency;
• improper diet;
• joint tissue operations.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Signs of development of arthrosis:

• traffic restrictions
• aching pain
• joint tissue expansion
• an increase in the temperature of the affected area
• the presence of joint tissue swelling, compression and swelling
• severe pain in the evening
• creaking, bone rubbing sensation when moving the joint

Stages of development of arthrosis

• First.There are no obvious symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Second.Joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Strong but tolerable pain develops.When moving together, a creaking sound is heard.The activity of muscle tissue is disturbed.
• the third.The joint tissue becomes thinner and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors note significant deformation of the joint.The length of the ligaments decreases and the mobility of the joints suffers.The deal is moving forward.Subluxation is more likely.

Complications

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

• joint tissue deformation
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

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

Which doctor should I see?

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

Diagnostics

First of all, the simplest method is used - X-ray examination of the joint.Then they do an ultrasound examination.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 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 the structure of joint tissues in detail and to detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The result is presented in digital format or in the form of a photo.

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

Joint ultrasound is prescribed for rheumatological diseases and injuries.The procedure is based on the use of ultrasound waves.The scanner registers the acoustic vibrations and the result is displayed on the monitor.

Treatment of arthrosis

When the diagnosis is made, an additional examination and treatment plan is drawn up.Further examination is needed to treat the cause, not the effect.It consists of conducting tests to determine the etiology of the disease.For example, with rheumatoid arthritis or gout, there will be increased amounts of uric acid.

The course of treatment depends on the stage of development of the disease.First, pain and inflammation are eliminated.Then physiotherapeutic procedures and massage are used.Medicines help relieve pain, but do not prevent the destruction of joint tissues.

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

Drug treatment

The following drug groups are prescribed for arthrosis.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.It is necessary for immediate relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve anabolism in cartilage tissue, eliminate inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction, and eliminate swelling.
• 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 pain.
• Ointments.It is designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and alleviate the patient's condition.

Joint injections

Therapeutic drug blockades are an effective way to treat pain due to arthrosis.Their advantages:

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

Antiseptics and antibiotics are used for drug blockages, hyaluronic acid injections are performed to protect the cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate cartilage regeneration.It is recommended to make 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 inflammation and joint swelling, improves blood flow in the affected area and stimulates reparative processes.
• Kinesio taping.Elastic bands called bandages are applied to the skin.They reduce stress and pain in muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons.Also, kinesio taping for arthrosis of the joints 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 relieves muscle spasms.It is prescribed for the initial and middle stages of arthrosis.
• Laser therapy for arthrosis relieves pain, has an anti-edema effect, removes 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 tissue regeneration, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility, and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.It helps to 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 rotating movements in the spine, massages the lumbar and sacral areas, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he taps and lightly pinches.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches inject useful enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood is diluted, blood supply to the injured area improves, joint flexibility increases and pain disappears.Leech treatment for arthrosis is contraindicated for people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medication 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 should be more than before.They should be performed at a slow speed and smoothly - sharp movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.External use of bile removes inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a resolving and pain-relieving effect.If there is no external damage to the skin, compresses with medicinal bile can be applied.
• Vitamins.Take vitamins of groups A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage tissue and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee pads.You need to fix the connection.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the injured area and stabilize the work of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthoses.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 subjected to special needles inserted at 9 to 18 points.For gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebra and popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for arthrosis.Helps restore knee function quickly.Ozone molecules eliminate inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Platelets are isolated from plasma and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.This is what happens in everyday life: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.By injecting these drugs, the same effect is achieved in the knee joint.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined recovery method that has come into use very recently.Stem cells are removed from the fat and mixed with plasma, because 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 an effect of 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 excess body weight
• avoid excessive stress
• do preventive exercises
• do daily physical exercises
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• Take a vitamin course once every 6 months
• undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are performed for arthrosis?

It is necessary to pass articular minimum tests.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 heat joints with arthrosis?

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

Is it possible to play sports with arthritis?

Skiing and cycling are useful for arthrosis.The pedals must be turned 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 recovery.Doctors recommend including foods rich in vitamins and trace elements in your diet.Recommended fruits, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat.It is better to avoid smoked products, fast food products, sweets, baked goods, fatty meats and processed foods.