arthrosis

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

Varieties

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

Primary arthrosis.The initial stage of a chronic disease, during which there is a gradual damage to the cartilage tissue of the joint.He was diagnosed at the age of 45.Primary arthrosis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected because the risk of disability is high.It is difficult to detect arthrosis in the early stages, because the disease proceeds in a hidden form.If the patient has joint cramping, pain when bending and straightening the limb, edema (swelling), immediately consult an orthopedic doctor.At an early stage, it is possible to prevent 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 provokes 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 provoke 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;
• Decreased metabolism.It causes 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;
• Endocrine system diseases.For example, diabetes;
• Degenerative diseases.For example, Perthes disease;
• diseases that cause weakening of ligaments and increased mobility of joint tissues;
• frequent bruises in the joint area;
• Excess body weight.creates additional stress on the joint and causes early wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, improper exercise regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalance;
• lack of vitamins;
• wrong diet;
• Operations on joint tissues.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Signs of progression of arthrosis:

• Movement restrictions
• excruciating pain
• Expansion of joint tissue
• Increased temperature in the affected area
• Swelling of joint tissue, presence of compaction and edema
• Severe pain in the evening
• Cramping when moving the joint, feeling of bone friction

Stages of development of arthrosis

• first.There are no pronounced symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue weakens.
• second.Joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Strong but tolerable pain develops.A creaking sound is heard when the joint is moved.The functioning of muscle tissue is disturbed.
• the third.The joint tissue becomes thin and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors note a significant deformation of the joint.The length of the ligaments decreases and the mobility of the joints is affected.The contracture progresses.The likelihood of subluxation increases.

Complications

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

• Deformation of joint tissue
• 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 restrictions on motor activity.That is, they can move independently, but slowly and with frequent rest stops.

Which doctor should I contact?

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

diagnosis

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 to collect the patient's anamnesis and clinical examination.Symptoms will help the doctor to correctly determine the diagnosis, even if it is impossible to do an MRI.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study the structure of articular tissues in detail and to detect changes, cartilaginous formations and osteophytes.The procedure lasts 2-3 minutes.The result is given 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 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 records acoustic vibrations and the result is displayed on the monitor.

Treatment of arthrosis

After making a diagnosis, a further examination and treatment plan is made.Further investigation is needed to treat the cause rather than the effect.It includes taking tests to determine the etiology of the disease.For example, in 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 removed.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 at a sanatorium-resort and recommend a set of physical exercises.At the last stage 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 groups of drugs are prescribed for arthrosis.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Needed 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.
• Painkillers.
• Antispasmodics.Used for muscle spasms.
• Analgesics.Helps to get rid of pain.
• Ointments.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and relieve the patient's condition.

Injections into the joint

Blockade of therapeutic drugs is an effective method of treating pain due to arthrosis.Their advantages:

• Reducing muscle tension
• Fast analgesic effect
• Relieve inflammation
• Long-term therapeutic effect
• Restoration of joint mobility.

Antiseptics and antibiotics are used to block drugs, hyaluronic acid injections to protect cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate cartilage recovery.It is recommended to make 3-5 injections with an interval of 5-7 days.

Physiotherapy for arthrosis of the joints

• 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 tapes are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reduce pain.Also, kinesio tape for arthrosis of the joints facilitates blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Manual therapy for arthrosis is effective as part of complex treatment.Improves movement 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 of 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 cholesterol levels in the blood, increases tissue regeneration ability, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility, and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.Helps relieve acute pain and fatigue after walking.Arthrosis massage should not be focused only on the affected area: this will increase inflammation.The masseuse performs stroking and rotating movements in the spine area, massages the lumbar and sacral areas, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he applies pressure and light pricking.
• Hirudotherapy.Puppies inject useful enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood thins, blood supply to the injured area improves, joint elasticity increases and pain disappears.Treatment with puppies for arthrosis is contraindicated for people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

other treatment

In addition to medication and physiotherapy, other treatment methods are often used in arthrosis.

• Exercise therapy.You can do therapeutic exercises with minimal pain.In arthrosis, physical exercises include static and dynamic loads, and more should be the first.They should be performed at a slow pace and smoothly - sharp movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.External use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a laxative and analgesic effect.Compresses with healing bile can be used 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 pads.It is necessary to straighten the joint.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the affected 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 movement of joints.
• Acupuncture.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 gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and the popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for arthrosis.Contributes to quick recovery of knee function.Ozone molecules relieve inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Plasma platelets are isolated from it and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.This is how it happens in everyday life: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.The same effect is achieved by injecting these drugs into the knee joint.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined regeneration method that started quite recently.The 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 for 4-5 years.

Prevention of arthrosis

To reduce the risk of complications and prevent joint tissue destruction, it is recommended:

• Give up alcohol, smoking and drugs
• Do not freeze the 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 physical exercise daily
• Drink enough water
• Sleep at least 8 hours a day
• Take a course of vitamins once every 6 months
• To undergo a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tests are done for arthrosis?

It is necessary to pass the financial minimum tests.These include uric acid, rheumatoid factor, asthma and complete blood count.If there is a suspicion of infectious symptoms, a puncture is made from the knee or hip joint.

Is it possible to warm joints with arthrosis?

If you have arthrosis, it is better not to heat the joints before examining the 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 rotate smoothly without damaging the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet during arthrosis

Proper nutrition of arthrosis of the joints helps recovery.Doctors advise you to include foods rich in vitamins and microelements in your diet.Fruits, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat are recommended.It is best to avoid smoked products, fast food, sweets, pastries, fatty meats and processed foods.