Degenerative osteoarthritis of the joints, with the progression of which the destruction of cartilage tissue occurs, is often diagnosed in men and women at an early age. The characteristic symptoms of a beginning 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 cartilaginous structures, complex treatment is prescribed.
What is this disease?
Osteoarthritis is a common and terrible chronic disease that affects the majority of the population.
The pathology is characterized by inflammatory lesions of the cartilage tissues of small and large joints. Due to degenerative changes in cartilage, the periarticular capsule, synovium, muscular and ligamentous structures, and bone tissues are affected. The root 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, so arthrosis, gradually destroying the joint system, is dangerous. Joint disease is often diagnosed in old age, but it also occurs in young people in their 20s. It is important to diagnose the initial phase of its development. This will prevent further complications and help the body deal with the problem.
Reasons for development
Violation of metabolic processes in the articular joints provokes the beginning of the development of the disease. The 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 blood supply to the joints;
- constant hypothermia;
- chronic damage;
- advanced age;
- overweight;
- increased stress on the joints;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- diseased thyroid gland;
- hemophilia;
- herpes;
- hepatitis;
- allergies in which bone and joint structures are affected;
- varicose veins;
- strict diets or unbalanced meals;
- excessive physical activity;
- inheritance;
- Unfavorable environment.
Arthritic changes are observed in people who have to work in difficult physical conditions. These are such specific specialties:
- miners;
- bricklayers;
- metallurgists;
- smithy;
- fishermen.
Stages and characteristic symptoms.
The signs of osteoarthritis develop gradually and increase as the pathology progresses. There are 3 stages of osteoarthritis:
- At the first stage, no morphological change is 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 cartilage of the joints is 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 articular joint, so that the inflammation progresses, the persistent pain in the muscles of the limb disturbs.
- Grade III manifests as a complete thinning of the cartilaginous tissue of the joint and a deformation of the joint itself is also observed. There are signs of axial changes in the limb. In addition, degenerative disorders begin in the ligamentous apparatus, as a result of which the limb can no longer move normally, hypermobility is observed in combination with a violation of the natural range of motion. Pain in stage 3 of osteoarthritis is constant, a person cannot calmly lie down, sleep, rest. Complete malnutrition of the joint threatens to disrupt the function of the affected limb.
Other symptoms
The disease causes characteristic signs in a person, which are conventionally divided into 4 groups:
- Pain. 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 exacerbation stage of osteoarthritis. 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 creaking increases, the pain syndrome will also progress.
- Altered joint mobility. Progressive bone osteoarthritis leads to increased growth of bone formations. As a result, muscle tissue spasms and joint joint space gradually decreases. The pressure on the joint increases, which also causes the limb to immobilize.
- Joint deformityThe rapid growth of osteophytes can lead to a modification of the compound, but this symptom already 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 in the context of chronic injuries and can manifest at any age, in the 20s or 30s. Taking into account which joint is affected, osteoarthritis is distinguished:
- shoulder or elbow joint;
- hip or knee joint;
- spine.
Also, the disease occurs:
- refined;
- Unspecified.
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 medication is given out of time or the patient tries to heal himself, the following disorders 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 sunk.
Diagnostics
Before prescribing effective treatment for osteoarthritis or removing 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 the synovial fluid, if there is a suspicion of synovitis of the knee joint;
- a sample for a histological examination by a biopath.
Instrumental diagnostics are performed: radiography. If a patient has gonarthrosis (especially pronounced with varicose veins), X-rays of the knee joint should be taken. With dysplasia and osteoarthritis of the hip joint, this area of the musculoskeletal system is examined. To determine the types of damage to cartilaginous structures, it is recommended to undergo an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan.
How to deal with?
Medicinal and surgical
Early osteoarthritis is treated with conservative therapy. Drugs 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 right effect. The correct prescription of medications will help to enhance the activity of metabolic processes in the affected areas. Effective groups of drugs, thanks to which the remission will be prolonged:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Hormonal corticosteroids;
- Chondroprotectors.
If conservative methods have not yielded 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. Since new technologies have advanced in the field of prosthetics, people with a replaced joint can live a different, but fulfilling life.
Exercise therapy, physical therapy, massage.
Kinesitherapy is the name of a type of therapy developed by a renowned physician. It is a set of physical exercises that must be performed in 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 specialized in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage procedures performed by a chiropractor will help to normalize the blood supply and nutrition to the diseased areas, as a result of which the condition of the articular joints will gradually improve. If the causes of arthrosis are precisely 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 caused by obesity, the patient is recommended to follow a diet that helps to normalize body weight, which will significantly relieve the load on the joints and improve their functioning. In order for the cartilage tissue to heal faster, doctors recommend that their patients eat jellies and broths boiled on the bones more often. Thanks to the collagen contained in these dishes, the connective tissues will begin to regenerate and repair themselves more quickly. It is also important to monitor the balance and integrity of the diet. Food should be varied, rich in vitamins, micro and macro elements.
Prophylaxis
To prevent 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 extremities. 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 control your weight. Thanks to these rules, it will be possible to protect yourself from the appearance of destructive pathology or relapse.