Arthrosis

Arthrosis is a degenerative process of articular cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, the cartilage loses its elasticity.This disease develops if the synthesis of joint cells is affected.

Varieties

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

Primary arthrosis.Early stages of chronic disease, where gradual damage to joint cartilage tissue occurs.Diagnosed at the age of 45.Primary arthrosis develops and treatment should not be neglected, as the risk of disability is high.In the early stages, arthrosis is difficult to detect, because the disease occurs in a hidden form.If the patient experiences stiffness in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limbs, swelling (edema), immediately contact an orthopedic doctor.In the early stages, it is possible to avoid the destruction of cartilage tissue and prevent the further development of arthrosis.

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

Reason

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 cause arthrosis of the knee joint;
• congenital abnormalities in the development of joint tissue, which increase the likelihood of dislocation due to improper positioning;
• metabolism is affected.It causes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune disease.The body reacts to its own cells as if they were a foreign object;
• inflammatory arthritis.For example, arthritis;
• dry cough of bone tissue;
• diseases of the endocrine system.For example, diabetes;
• degenerative disease.For example, Perthes disease;
• diseases that cause ligament weakness and increased joint tissue mobility;
• frequent bleeding in the joint area;
• overweight.Creates additional pressure on the joints and causes early wear;
• intense physical activity.For example, improper exercise regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• descent;
• hormonal imbalance;
• vitamin deficiency;
• improper diet;
• operation on joint tissue.

Arthritis symptoms

Signs of the development of arthrosis:

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

Stages of development of arthrosis

• First.No obvious symptoms, only mild pain during physical activity.Muscle tissue becomes weak.
• Second.Joint tissue begins to degenerate and osteophytes develop.Intense but tolerable pain develops.When moving the joint, a pulsating sound is heard.Muscle tissue function is affected.
• Third.Joint tissue becomes thinner, and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.The doctor noted a significant deformation of the joint.Ligaments decrease in length and joint mobility is affected.The contract continues.The possibility of subluxation increases.

Complications

If arthrosis is not treated in time, the joint will collapse completely.This will affect the biomechanics of the spine and a hernia may occur.Arthrosis develops in other joint tissues.Then the following complications arise:

• joint tissue deformation
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

The first disability group 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.That is, they can move freely, but slowly and frequently stop to rest.

Which doctor should I contact?

At the first symptoms of arthrosis, contact an arthrologist.He specializes in treating joints.If your condition is severe, make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist.

Diagnostics

First of all, the easiest method is used - x-ray examination of the joints.Next 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.Symptoms will help the doctor determine the diagnosis correctly, even if it is not possible to do an MRI.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study in detail the structure of articular tissue and detect changes, cartilage growth and osteophytes.The procedure takes 2-3 minutes.The results are provided in digital format or in image form.

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.This procedure is based on the use of ultrasonic waves.The scanner records the acoustic vibrations, and the results appear on the monitor.

Treatment of arthrosis

Once a diagnosis is made, further examinations and a treatment plan are prepared.Additional examination is needed to treat not the effect, but the cause.It consists of taking 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.Next, physiotherapeutic procedures and massages are used.Medicines help relieve pain, but do not prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

Doctors can also prescribe treatment in a sanatorium-resort setting and recommend a set of physical exercises.At the final stage of the disease, they use surgery.If there are no complications, this method can restore the motor activity of the joint tissue.

Drug treatment

For arthrosis, the following groups of drugs are prescribed.

• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Needed for emergency relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They increase anabolism in cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction and eliminate swelling.
• Vasodilators.Used to relieve small vessel spasms and increase blood flow.
• Painkillers.
• Antispasmodic.Used when muscle spasms occur.
• Analgesic.Helps relieve pain.
• Ointment.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and ease the patient's condition.

Injection into the joint

Therapeutic drug restrictions are an effective method of treating pain due to arthrosis.Their advantages:

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

For drug restrictions, antiseptics and antibiotics are used, and hyaluronic acid injections are given to protect the cartilage tissue.They eliminate inflammation and accelerate the recovery of cartilage.It is recommended to give 3-5 injections with an interval 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, removes inflammation and joint swelling, increases blood flow in the affected area and stimulates the reparative process.
• Kinesio Recording.Elastic bands called tapes are applied to the skin.They reduce stress on muscles, joints, ligaments and tendons, reducing pain.Also, kinesio taping for joint arthrosis facilitates blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Manual therapy for arthrosis is effective as part of a complex treatment.It increases the mobility of diseased joints and prevents the atrophic process.Manual therapy relieves pain, improves joint mobility and relieves muscle spasms.It is prescribed for the early and middle stages of arthrosis.
• Laser therapy for arthrosis relieves pain, has an anti-edematous effect, relieves inflammation and reduces the risk of surgery in the final stages of the disease.Laser treatment of arthrosis restores muscle function, relieves muscle tension, reduces cholesterol levels in the blood, increases the tissue's ability to regenerate, reduces blood viscosity, increases joint mobility and normalizes metabolism.
• massageHelps relieve sharp pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for arthrosis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase inflammation.The massage therapist performs stroking and twisting movements in the spinal area, massages the lumbar and sacral areas 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 thins, blood supply to the affected area improves, joint elasticity increases and pain disappears.Treatment with leeches for arthrosis is contraindicated for people with anemia, heart failure and hemophilia, as well as during pregnancy.

Other treatments

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

• Exercise therapy.You can perform therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical training for arthrosis includes static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of the first.They must be done at a slow and smooth pace—sharp movements are contraindicated.
• Medical bile.The external use of bile relieves inflammation in the tissues of the musculoskeletal system and has a resolving and analgesic effect.Compresses with medical bile can be used if there is no external damage to the skin.
• Vitamins.Take group vitamins A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and improve muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee pads.Needed to repair joints.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the function of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthoses.This is a bandage - an orthopedic product designed to relieve pressure on the knee joint.They stop the development of the pathological process.It is used to limit unwanted joint movement.
• Acupuncture.Relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to a special needle by inserting it into the eye from 9 to 18. For gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebrae and the popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for arthrosis.Helps restore knee function quickly.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 separated from it and injected into the local problem area.Platelets have regenerative properties and are growth factors.In everyday life it goes 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 method of combined regeneration that has come into use recently.Stem cells are removed from the fat and mixed with plasma, because the cells themselves are quite dry and need to be thawed.After this, the injection is injected into the knee joint.One injection is enough, which has an effect for 4-5 years.

Prevention of arthrosis

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, grains and cartilage (jelly)
• avoid excess weight
• avoid excessive stress
• do preventive exercises
• do physical exercise every day
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take a course of vitamins once every 6 months
• undergo a preventive check-up once a year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What tests are done for arthrosis?

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

Is it possible to warm the joints with arthrosis?

If you suffer from arthrosis, it is better not to heat your joints before being examined by a doctor.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Is it possible to play sports with arthrosis?

For arthrosis, skiing and cycling are useful.The pedal should be turned smoothly so as not to injure the cartilage tissue.Aerobics and running are prohibited.You should also not lift heavy objects.

Diet for arthrosis

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