Degenerative arthrosis of the joints, with the progression of which the destruction of cartilage tissue occurs, is often diagnosed in men and women at a young age. Symptoms characteristic of an initial disease are severe pain, which occurs even at rest, when there is no load on the limbs. To relieve unpleasant discomfort and prevent the destruction of cartilage structures, complex treatment is prescribed.
What is this disease?
Osteoarthritis is a terrible and common chronic disease that affects most of the entire population.
The pathology is characterized by inflammatory lesions of the cartilage tissues of the small and large joints. Due to degenerative changes in the cartilage, the periarticular capsule, synovial membrane, muscle and ligament structures and bone tissues are affected. The main cause of the development of such a pathology is considered to be a disturbed metabolism. A complete cure for the disease is impossible, it will only be possible to bring the patient into remission, which is why osteoarthritis, which gradually destroys the joint system, is dangerous. Joint disease is often diagnosed in old age, but it also occurs in young people who are already 20 years old. It is important to diagnose the early stage of its development. This will prevent new complications and help the body cope with the problem.
Reasons for development
Violation of metabolic processes in the joint joints provokes the onset of the development of the disease. Pathology is characteristic of one or more joints at the same time. Other common causes of osteoarthritis are:
- hormonal changes in women during menopause;
- violation of the blood supply to the joints;
- constant hypothermia;
- chronic damage;
- old age;
- excess weight;
- increased stress on the joints;
- autoimmune diseases;
- diseased thyroid gland;
- haemophilia;
- herpes;
- hepatitis;
- allergies in which bone and joint structures are affected;
- varicose veins;
- strict diets or unbalanced meals;
- excessive physical activity;
- heredity;
- unfavorable environment.
Arthritic changes are observed in people who have to work in difficult physical conditions. These are such specific specialties:
- miners;
- bricklayers;
- metallurgists;
- blacksmiths;
- fishermen.
Characteristic phases and symptoms
The signs of osteoarthritis develop gradually and increase as the disease progresses. There are 3 stages of osteoarthritis:
- In the first stage, no morphological changes are manifested, only the synovial composition of the fluid is disturbed, as a result of which the cartilage tissues receive less nutrients, quickly lose their elasticity and strength. There is inflammation in the joint cavity, the pain begins to bother.
- In stage II, the degenerative process develops more actively. The cartilages in the joints are gradually destroyed, uric acid is not completely excreted from the body, as a result of which the first bone growths appear in the joint. This limits the movement of the joint joint, so the inflammation progresses, persistent pain in the muscles of the limb disturbs.
- Grade III manifests itself as a complete thinning of the cartilage tissue of the joint, and deformation of the joint itself is also observed. There are signs of axial changes in the limb. In addition, degenerative disorders in the ligamentous apparatus begin, as a result of which the limb is no longer able to move normally, hypermobility is observed in combination with a violation of the natural range of motion. Pain in stage 3 osteoarthritis is constant, a person cannot calmly lie, sleep, rest. Complete malnutrition of the joint threatens to disrupt the functioning of the affected limb.
Other symptoms
The disease causes characteristic signs in a person, which are conventionally divided into 4 groups:
- Ache. Severe pain in the joints, which does not go away for a long time, is the first symptom that characterizes the progression of the pathology. The pain is caused by any movement or physical activity, but at rest the person improves, the discomfort subsides.
- Crunch. This symptom is expressed in the phase of exacerbation of arthrosis. Due to the fact that the cartilage tissues of the joints are deformed for a long time, the bone structures begin to touch and rub against each other. As the seizure increases, the pain syndrome will also progress.
- Reduced joint mobility. Progressive bone arthrosis leads to an increase in the growth of bone formations. As a result, the spasms of muscle tissue and the gap in the joint joint gradually decrease. The pressure in the joint increases, which also causes the limb to be immobilized.
- Joint deformity. The rapid growth of osteophytes can cause a modification of the compound, but this symptom develops in the later stages.
Varieties of arthrosis of the joints
Distinguish between idiopathic or primary and secondary osteoarthritis. The first type is an independent disease that occurs as a result of age-related physiological changes. But the secondary form arises against the background of chronic injuries and can manifest itself at any age - at 20 or 30 years. Considering which joint is affected, osteoarthritis is distinguished:
- shoulder or elbow joint;
- hip or knee joint;
- vertebral column.
In addition, the disease occurs:
- refined;
- not specified.
Why is it dangerous?
Acute osteoarthritis is terrible because, as the pathology progresses, the spine is involved in degenerative processes, as a result of which hernias appear. Therefore, it is important to effectively treat osteoarthritis in the early stages of development, when conservative methods can be applied. If the drugs are given out of time or the patient tried to heal on his own, the following ailments begin to appear:
- deformation and destruction of joint elements;
- limb mobility limitation;
- disability;
- violation of the biomechanics of the spine due to the fact that the disc has subsided.
Diagnostics
Before prescribing effective treatment for osteoarthritis or removing the affected areas, it is important to know the exact diagnosis. Therefore, after the initial examination, the patient is sent to pass:
- general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
- puncture of synovial fluid, if there is a suspicion of synovitis of the knee joint;
- a sample for the histological examination of a biopath.
Instrumental diagnostics is performed - radiography. If a patient has gonarthrosis (especially pronounced with varicose veins), X-rays of the knee joint should be done. With dysplasia and arthrosis of the hip joint, this area of the musculoskeletal system is examined. To determine the types of damage to cartilage structures, it is recommended to undergo an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan.
How to treat?
Medicinal and surgical
Premature osteoarthritis is treated with conservative therapy. Medicines are selected by a doctor strictly according to an individual scheme. If a person has a stomach ulcer or other pathologies of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, oral administration is contraindicated. In this case, the injections will give the correct effect. Proper prescription of medicines will help improve the activity of metabolic processes in the affected areas. Effective drug groups, thanks to which remission will be prolonged:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Hormonal corticosteroids;
- Chondroprotectors.
If conservative methods have not given results, surgical treatment is prescribed. To relieve the joint, palliative operations are indicated. When the joint is completely destroyed, surgical therapy is performed to replace it, it is called arthroplasty. As new technologies have advanced in the field of prosthetics, people with a replaced joint can live a different, yet full life.
Physical therapy, physiotherapy, massage
Kinesitherapy is the name of a type of therapy developed by a renowned physician. This is a set of physical exercises that need to be performed on special simulators. Regular exercise will help normalize the condition of the joint and improve its functionality. This means that it is recommended to perform the exercises in special hospitals that specialize in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage procedures performed by a chiropractor will help normalize the blood supply and nutrition to the diseased areas, as a result of which the condition of the joint joints will gradually improve. If the causes of arthrosis are carefully clarified and there are no contraindications, a course of physiotherapeutic procedures is prescribed, for example, the following:
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- mud therapy;
- medical applications based on natural resins.
The need for a diet
If osteoarthritis is provoked by obesity, the patient is advised to follow a diet that helps normalize body weight, which will significantly relieve the load on the joints and improve their functioning. In order for the cartilage tissue to recover faster, doctors recommend their patients to eat more often boiled jellies and broths on the bones. Thanks to the collagen contained in these dishes, the connective tissues will begin to regenerate and repair themselves faster. It is also important to monitor the balance and completeness of the diet. Food should be varied, rich in vitamins, micro and macro elements.
Prophylaxis
To avoid the progression of such a dangerous and serious disease, it is important to dose the load on the joints, especially the joints of the lower limbs. It is also worth avoiding injuries and fractures, after which the risk of osteoarthritis increases tenfold. It is important to lead an active lifestyle, do regular morning workouts, eat right, and monitor your weight. Thanks to these rules, it will be possible to protect yourself from the occurrence of destructive pathologies or relapses.