Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative process of articular cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, the cartilage loses its elasticity.The disease progresses if joint cell synthesis is impaired.

Varieties

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

Primary osteoarthritis.The initial stage of a chronic disease, in which gradual damage to the cartilaginous tissue of the joint occurs.Diagnosed at age 45.Primary osteoarthritis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected, as the risk of disability is high.In the early stages, osteoarthritis is difficult to detect, as the disease occurs latently.If the patient experiences clicking sounds in the joints, pain when flexing and straightening the limb, swelling (edema), seek an orthopedist immediately.In the initial stages, it is possible to avoid the destruction of cartilaginous tissue and prevent the development of arthrosis.

Secondary osteoarthritis.It develops against the background of changes in the metabolic process, for example, when blood circulation and lymph flow are impaired.Hormonal imbalances often cause osteoarthritis of the hip joint in women.

Reasons

The disease develops at age 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 anomalies in the development of articular tissues, which increase the likelihood of dislocation due to incorrect position;
• impaired metabolism.Causes deformation of the cartilage;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if they were a foreign object;
• inflammatory joint diseases.For example, arthritis;
• bone tissue tuberculosis;
• 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 hemorrhages in the joint area;
• excess body weight.Creates additional stress on the joint and causes premature wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, inadequate training regime or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• inadequate diet;
• operations on articular tissues.

Osteoarthritis symptoms

Signs of osteoarthritis progression:

• traffic restrictions
• aching pain
• increasing joint tissue
• increased temperature of the affected area
• swelling of the joint tissue, presence of impaction and swelling
• severe pain at night
• crunching when moving a 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.The joint tissue begins to deteriorate and osteophytes progress.Severe but tolerable pain develops.When moving the joint, a crunching sound is heard.The functioning of muscle tissue is impaired.
• Third.The articular tissue becomes thinner and multiple foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors note significant deformation of the joint.Ligaments decrease in length and joint mobility is impaired.The contracture progresses.The likelihood of subluxations increases.

Complications

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

• deformation of joint tissue
• complete immobility, disability

Deficiency

The first group of disabilities is assigned to patients with impaired motor activity.The second - with partial loss of motor function.The third group has minor restrictions on motor activity.In other words, they can move independently, but slowly and with frequent rest stops.

Which doctor should I contact?

At the first symptoms of osteoarthritis, see an arthrologist.He specializes in treating joints.If your condition is serious, make an appointment with an orthopedist.

Diagnosis

First of all, the simplest method is used - radiographic 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 the collection of anamnesis and clinical examination of the patient.The symptoms will help the doctor correctly determine the diagnosis, even if an MRI is not possible.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study the structure of articular tissues in detail and detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2 to 3 minutes.The result is provided in digital format or as 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 to 20 minutes.After 30 minutes, the patient will be able to receive the exam report.

Ultrasound of the joint is prescribed for rheumatological diseases and injuries.The procedure is based on the use of ultrasonic waves.The scanner records acoustic vibrations and the result appears on the monitor.

Osteoarthritis treatment

When the diagnosis is made, a new examination and treatment plan are drawn up.Additional tests are needed to treat not the effect, but the cause.It consists of carrying out tests to identify the etiology of the disease.For example, with rheumatoid arthritis or gout, there will be an increase in the amount of uric acid.

The course of treatment depends on the stage of development of the disease.First, pain and inflammation are relieved.Then physiotherapeutic procedures and massages are used.Medications help relieve pain, but do not prevent joint tissue destruction.

The doctor can also prescribe treatment in a sanatorium and recommend a series of physical exercises.In the final stages of the development of the disease, they resort to operations.If there are no complications, this method can restore the motor activity of the articular tissue.

Drug treatment

For arthrosis, the following groups of medications are prescribed.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Necessary for emergency relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve the anabolism of cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction and eliminate swelling.
• Vasodilators.Used to relieve spasm of small vessels and improve blood flow.
• Painkillers.
• Antispasmodics.Used when muscle spasms occur.
• Painkillers.Helps get rid of pain.
• Ointments.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and alleviate the patient's condition.

Joint injections

Therapeutic drug blocks are an effective method of treating pain caused by osteoarthritis.Its advantages:

• reduction of muscle tension
• fast pain relief effect
• relieving inflammation
• long-term therapeutic effect
• restoration of joint mobility.

For medicated blocks, antiseptics and antibiotics are used, and hyaluronic acid injections are given to protect the cartilaginous tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate cartilage restoration.It is recommended to administer 3-5 injections 5-7 days apart.

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 swelling of the joints, improves blood flow in the affected area and stimulates reparative processes.
• Kinésio recording.Elastic bands called tapes are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.Furthermore, kinesio tape for joint arthrosis facilitates blood circulation and lymphatic flow.
• Manual therapy for arthrosis is effective as part of complex treatment.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 intermediate stages of arthrosis.
• Laser therapy for arthrosis relieves pain, has an anti-edematous 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, reduces blood cholesterol levels, increases tissue regeneration capacity, reduces blood viscosity, improves joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• Massage.Helps relieve acute pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for osteoarthritis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The massage therapist performs stroking and rotating movements in the spine region, massages the lumbar and sacral regions and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs light stroking and pinching.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches inject beneficial enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood becomes thinner, the blood supply to the affected area improves, the elasticity of the joints increases and the pain disappears.Leech treatment for osteoarthritis is contraindicated for people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

In addition to medications and physical therapy, other treatment methods are often used for osteoarthritis.

• Exercise therapy.You can do therapeutic exercises with little or no pain.Physical exercises for osteoarthritis include static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of the former.They should be performed at a slow, gentle pace – sudden movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.The external use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has an analgesic and resolving effect.Compresses with medicinal bile can be applied if there is no external damage to the skin.
• Vitamins.Take vitamins from groups A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee braces.Necessary to repair the joint.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the functioning of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthotics.These are bandages - orthopedic products designed to relieve stress on the knee joint.They prevent the development of pathological processes.They are used to limit unwanted joint movement.
• Acupuncture.Relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles, inserting them at points 9 to 18. In gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and the popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for osteoarthritis.Helps quickly restore knee function.Ozone molecules relieve inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Platelets with plasma are isolated and injected into local problem areas.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.In everyday life it happens like this: if you cut yourself, the wound will heal.The same effect is achieved in the knee joint by injecting these drugs.
• Mesenchymal stem cells.This is a combined regeneration method that has recently begun to be used.The stem cells are taken from the fat and mixed with 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 is effective for 4-5 years.

Osteoarthritis prevention

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, cereals and cartilage (jelly)
• avoid excess body weight
• avoid excessive stress
• perform preventive exercises
• do physical exercise daily
• drink plenty of water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a course of vitamins once every 6 months
• undergo a preventive examination once a year.

FAQ

What tests are done for osteoarthritis?

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

Is it possible to warm up joints with osteoarthritis?

If you have osteoarthritis, it is best not to heat your joints until you have been examined by a doctor.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Is it possible to play sports with osteoarthritis?

For osteoarthritis, skiing and cycling are helpful.The pedals must be turned gently so as not to injure the cartilaginous tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet for osteoarthritis

Proper nutrition for joint arthrosis helps recovery.Doctors recommend including foods rich in vitamins and microelements in your diet.Recommended fruits, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meats.It is best to avoid smoked products, fast food, sweets, baked goods, fatty meats and processed foods.