Arthrosis

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

Varieties

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

Primary arthrosis.The initial stage of the chronic disease, in which gradual damage to the articular cartilage tissue 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 recognize, as the disease occurs in a hidden form.If the patient feels creaking in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), consult an orthopedic doctor immediately.In the early stages, the destruction of cartilage tissue can be avoided and the further development of arthrosis can be prevented.

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

Reasons

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

• physical damage to bones and ligaments.They cause damage to large tissues, which can lead to arthrosis of the knee joint;
• congenital abnormalities in the development of joint tissues, which increase the likelihood of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• impaired metabolism.This provokes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if they 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 cause weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent bleeding in the joint area;
• overweight.It puts additional stress on the joint and causes premature wear and tear;
• intense physical activity.For example, an incorrect exercise program or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• improper diet;
• operations on joint tissues.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Signs of progression of arthrosis:

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

Developmental stages of arthrosis

• First of all.There are no pronounced symptoms, only mild pain occurs during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• Second.The joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Strong but tolerable pain develops.A creaking sound can be heard when the joint is moved.The function of muscle tissue is impaired.
• Third.The joint tissue thins out and multiple foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors notice a significant deformation of the joint.The length of the ligaments decreases and the mobility of the joints suffers.The contracture progresses.The likelihood 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 occur.Arthrosis progresses in other joint tissues.Then the following complications occur:

• deformation of joint tissue
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

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

Which doctor should I see?

Consult an arthrologist at the first symptoms of arthrosis.He specializes in the treatment of joints.If your condition is serious, make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist.

Diagnostics

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

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

Computed tomography (CT) helps in the detailed study of the structure of joint tissues, as well as the detection of changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The result is provided in digital format or in the form of a photograph.

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 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 the acoustic vibrations and the result is displayed on the monitor.

Treatment of arthrosis

When the diagnosis is established, further examination and a treatment plan are prepared.Further investigation is needed to address the cause rather than the effect.This consists of performing tests to identify the etiology of the disease.For example, in the case of rheumatoid arthritis or gout, the amount of uric acid increases.

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 they do not prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

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

Drug treatment

In case of arthrosis, the following drug groups are prescribed.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.It is necessary for emergency 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 spasm of small blood vessels and improve blood flow.
• Pain relievers.
• Anticonvulsants.It is used when muscle spasms occur.
• Pain relievers.It helps to get rid of pain.
• Ointments.It is 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
• reducing inflammation
• long-term therapeutic effect
• restoration of joint mobility.

Antiseptics and antibiotics are used for medical blockades, and hyaluronic acid injections are given to protect the cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate cartilage recovery.3-5 injections are recommended at intervals 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.Flexible bands, called tapes, are placed on the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.In addition, kinesio taping for the treatment of joint arthrosis promotes blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Manual therapy of arthrosis is effective as part of complex treatment.It improves the 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-edema 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, increases tissue regeneration capacity, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.It helps relieve sharp pain and fatigue after walking.Massage against arthrosis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The masseuse makes stroking and rotating movements in the area of the spine, massages the lumbar and sacrum area, then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs stroking and light pinching.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches introduce beneficial enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood thins, the blood supply to the affected area improves, the flexibility of the joints increases, and the pain disappears.Treatment of arthrosis with leeches is contraindicated for people suffering from anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to drugs and physiotherapy, other treatment methods are often used to treat arthrosis.

• Exercise therapy.You can perform therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical exercises for arthrosis include static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of the former.It should be performed at a slow pace and fluidly - sharp movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.The external application of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the locomotor system, has a solvent and pain-relieving effect.Medicinal bile poultices can be used if there is no external skin damage.
• Vitamins.Take vitamins A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee pads.It is necessary to fix the joint.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the injured area and stabilize the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthotics.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 movements.
• Acupuncture.It relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles by inserting them at 9 to 18 points.In case of gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and the popliteal cavity.
• Ozone therapy for the treatment of arthrosis.It helps to quickly restore the function of the knee.Ozone molecules reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Platelets are isolated from it with plasma and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.This is how it happens on weekdays: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.The same effect can be achieved by injecting these drugs into the knee joint.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined regeneration method that has recently begun to be used.The stem cells are removed from the fat and mixed with the plasma, as 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 works for 4-5 years.

Prevention of arthrosis

In order to reduce the risk of complications and prevent the destruction of joint tissues, it is recommended:

• stop drinking alcohol, smoking and drugs
• don't overcool your joints
• reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-finished products
• eat more vegetables, fruits, cereals and cartilage tissue (jelly)
• avoid being overweight
• avoid excessive stress
• do preventive exercises
• exercise daily
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• Take a vitamin course once every 6 months
• must undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tests are performed for arthrosis?

You have to pass the joint minimum tests.These are uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma and complete blood count.If infectious symptoms are suspected, a puncture is performed in the knee or hip joint.

Is it possible to warm the joints in arthrosis?

If you suffer from 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?

Skiing and cycling are useful for arthrosis.The pedals must be rotated smoothly so as not to damage the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.Also, do not lift heavy objects.

Diet for arthrosis

Adequate nutrition for arthrosis of the joints helps in healing.Doctors recommend that you include foods rich in vitamins and microelements in your diet.Fruits, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat are recommended.It is better to avoid smoked products, fast food, sweets, baked goods, fatty meats and processed foods.