arthrosis

The bone surfaces that form the joint are covered with a special, hyaline-smooth cartilage, providing the least frictional force during the motor skills of the articular surfaces. If osteoarthritis is diagnosed, it means that the cartilage is in the process of destruction.

As it progresses, the destructive process spreads to the bones, and then to the joint capsule.

The disease has a universal code for the microbe 10 - M15-M19, classifying it as a class of musculoskeletal and connective tissue pathologies.

According to medical statistics, 12% of the world's population suffers from osteoarthritis, most of whom are elderly, by age 65, people. However, every year there is an alarming trend towards increasing the number of cases among young people.

The diagnosis is not fatal, but osteoarthritis is insidious with its recurrences and the threat of complete disability.

Mechanism of origin

The disease develops gradually, provided we can distinguish four stages:

1. Initially, a cartilage area that is poorly supplied with blood, or damaged, appears at the site of the cartilage. Gradually, in the presence of traumatic factors, the area is not restored, but, on the contrary, grows.
2. The body, trying to restore cartilage to collapse, replaces the damaged areas with a mineralized tissue that does not have a clear structure. Such tissue is, in general, an inferior substitute for smooth, slippery, and elastic hyaline cartilage.
3. Gradually, the surface of the cartilage is covered with wounds and bone growth - osteophytes.
4. Healthy areas from the load increased several times, are consumed very quickly, and as a result, all the cartilage tissue turns into a large scar.

If the pathological process does not stop, the node will undergo the following negative changes:

• bones are involved in the process of destruction;
• the synovial membrane becomes inflamed;
• the joint capsule becomes denser, losing its elasticity;
• the lumen of the joint space decreases rapidly;
• the bones, unable to withstand friction, are deformed, like joints as a whole;
• the wrist tissues regenerate, thus there is a complete loss of the possibility of movement.

Types of osteoarthritis

This disease affects absolutely every joint surface! At the same time, despite the same mechanism of pathology, it is classified into several types.

So, depending on which joints are diseased, they differ:

• osteoarthritis of the knee, or patellofemoral arthrosis (abbreviated as gonarthrosis);
• osteoarthritis of the hip (abbreviated as coxarthrosis);
• osteoarthritis of the shoulder joints;
• interphalangeal arthrosis;
• ankle arthrosis;
• osteoarthritis of the hands;
• osteoarthritis of the cervix;
• osteoarthritis of the jaw;
• arthrosis of the metatarsophalangeal joint;
• ilium arthrosis;
• clavicular-acromial arthrosis;
• temporary arthrosis;
• osteoarthritis of the heel;
• arch arthrosis affecting the arc processes of the vertebrae (abbreviated as spondyloarthritis);
• arthrosis of the articular surface of the spinal joints;
• uncovertebral arthrosis;
• osteoporotic osteoarthritis;
• talonavicular arthrosis.

According to the specifics of the course of the pathological process in cartilage tissue, the following are distinguished:

• deforming arthrosis is the name of a disease that has passed into the final (final) stage;
• osteoarthritis, - the presence of a classic inflammatory process is characteristic;
• chronic;
• acute arthrosis.

According to the causes of pathology, the following are distinguished:

• dystrophic arthrosis of the joints accompanied by a critical metabolic disorder;
• fracture arthrosis, caused by relevant injuries;
• post-traumatic arthrosis.

It is important to know! There is no osteoarthritis of the internal organs, for example, osteoarthritis of the heart is not a kind of disease, but a consequence: a violation of cardiac activity due to the destruction of the cartilage of the chest region.

There is another classification, if the disease is independent or caused by provocative factors:

• primary - appears in a completely healthy cartilage, another name - idiopathic osteoarthritis, or appears with senile changes associated with age;
• secondary - caused by many reasons.

Symptoms of osteoarthritis

There are quite typical signs of osteoarthritis of all localizations, which, depending on the degree of development of the pathology, vary in their severity:

• pain, pain syndrome, aggravated by high humidity and hypothermia;
• decreased mobility of the wrist;
• cracking, creaking and scratching of sounds during movements of articular surfaces;
• external changes in the sketch of the wrist;
• bloating and swelling;
• skin rash.

pain

The most initial signs of the disorder are felt by mild or moderate, short-term pain, which almost never appears at night, but usually appears only with a load on the articular surface.

When the inflammatory processes have passed to their final stage, the patient begins to feel unbearable, "corrosive" pain due to blood stasis and increased pressure in the wrist sac. The pain is characterized by a long duration, at any time of the day and regardless of whether the affected area is at rest or in motion.

joint stiffness

This symptom is typical of a fairly advanced disease. At the same time, in the early stages, the patient still feels in the morning, after waking up, discomfort when moving in the form of a feeling of a stiffness.

As destructive reactions progress, the patient notices:

• limiting the amplitude of ordinary movements;
• inability to change the position of the limbs at rest, even when trying to undo the joint by hand;
• strong fixation (contraction) in a certain position of the wrist, which for a long time was in a state of lack of motor activity.

Finally, in the fourth stage of pathology, ankylosis is formed in the form of replacement of articular tissue with wound, with a complete loss of functionality.

Sounds in the joints

A crackle can be associated with any bone and cartilage dysfunction, not just caused by osteoarthritis.

However, it is characteristic of this disease that the sound:

• occurs only in the aching joint;
• accompanied by difficulty moving;
• tends to intensify with the progression of the pathology and enters during the formation of ankylosis.

Changing the appearance of the wrist

Visible changes appear in later stages. So the axis of the affected limb is bent, and the articular region itself is disfigured - it increases in size, the shape changes ugly.

All this testifies to the irreversible destruction of the node, within which a new tissue is formed, without a specific structure.

If such a disease-causing process occurs in the knee, then the load on the ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints will increase, which will damage them over time.

If the deformed outer part of the body is also swollen or swollen, it means inflammation of the synovial membrane, due to which the synovial fluid accumulates in large quantities in the wrist sac, causing severe pain.

Causes of osteoarthritis

The pathology can occur as in a single node and spread to several. This disease appears at least at a young age - there is still enough vitality for the body's self-healing.

However, for all age groups, the causes of occurrence in terms of their exposure are:

• internal - some diseases, bad habits, unbalanced diet, etc. ;
• external, - injuries, professional factor.

Internal causes are factors that provoke a negative change in the joint in the form of joint inflammation. There are inflammations of different origins:

• infectious (E. coli and Koch bacillus, viruses, chlamydia, staphylococci, Treponema pallidum, etc. );
• rheumatism;
• purulent arthritis;
• autoimmune nature;
• gout;
• psoriasis.

In addition, causes of internal exposure include congenital or acquired cartilage structure disorders and malnutrition, which may be associated with:

• genetic failures and mutations;
• intrauterine developmental abnormalities, including perinatal trauma;
• advanced age;
• osteoporosis, d. m. th. "washing" of constituent elements from bone tissue;
• hormonal disorders and overload, including menopause;
• violation of normal metabolism;
• nutritional deficiencies of vitamins and minerals;
• diseases that cause muscle weakness;
• prolonged internal intoxication.

Exacerbation of many musculoskeletal diseases also leads to cartilage degeneration.

External causes of disease development are factors that damage the joint, such as:

• frequent hypothermia;
• dislocations;
• strong blows;
• fracture;
• meniscus injury;
• strenuous physical activity (lifting weights, for example);
• professional sports;
• joint surgery.

Degrees of osteoarthritis

According to the clinical manifestations and the process of disease progression, four stages of osteoarthritis are distinguished:

1. grade 1 osteoarthritis, this is the initial stage of osteoarthritis, which is characterized by hidden symptoms in the form of negative changes in the composition of synovial fluid and weakening of muscle fibers, if pain occurs, it is only during physical exercise;
2. grade 2 arthrosis - this is already a feeling of pain due to collapse of bone articulation and formation of osteophytes, neurotrophic reflex regulation is disturbed and an audible crack appears;
3. grade 3 arthrosis is characterized by significant degenerative changes in the joint, its apparent deformation with a curvature of the limb shaft, the ligaments shorten and the joint becomes pathologically mobile;
4. 4th degree osteoarthritis is a complete ankylosis, complete contracture and severe pain even at rest.

All four stages proceed unevenly: during the pathological period, sharp irritations and moments of remission are possible.

Treatment of osteoarthritis

It has been clinically proven that treatment and prevention in the form of elimination of provocative factors of hyaline cartilage damage, although they do not alleviate the disease in the initial stage, stop its development and restore joint function.

Basically, the disease of low and moderate severity is treated with conservative methods. In case of severe destruction of the cartilaginous surface, which led to bone destruction, surgical arthroplasty is indicated.

In this case, the main principle in treatment are:

• an integrated approach that involves the use of several therapeutic methods;
• intentionality, i. e. the concentration of efforts to eliminate the provocative factors and consequences of the disease.

Treatment with folk remedies

By being treated comprehensively but at home, you can also turn to the healing prescriptions of traditional healers, offering effective treatment of health problems through herbs and bee products.

From the use of plants:

• laurel leaves in the form of decoctions, tinctures of vodka and specially prepared oils, used externally, directly on the area of inflammation;
• treatment of osteoarthritis with honey is established as a reliable local remedy that relieves inflammation in the form of rubbing and nourishes the skin, muscles and cartilage;
• cabbage leaf, - better than white cabbage, - knead it a little and wrap it in a sore spot, warm it with a woolen cloth on top and keep it overnight;
• aloe juice in the form of compresses and rubbing on the skin;

It also helps treat osteoarthritis of the knee with burdock: the leaf is tied to the injured area, which is isolated overnight.

It is important to know! Using phytotherapy, it is necessary, to increase the effect, to forget bad habits and to take care of proper nutrition.

Medications for osteoarthritis

Drug treatment associated with the classical method of therapy is divided, depending on the dosage form used, into drugs:

• external use, in the form of an ointment for osteoarthritis, rubbing, lotions;
• injections;
• osteoarthritis pills;
• capsule.

ointment

The pharmaceutical industry produces medicated ointments based on natural ingredients, very active:

• heparin ointment.

A medicine containing 1% diclofenac helps well: the gel is applied to the skin.

Injections

Injections have proven very well in treatment, not only intravenously and intramuscularly, but also directly on the affected area, for example, with nonsteroidal drugs.

So, intra-articular injections are injected into the damaged articular tissues:

• glucocorticoids, which improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation and increase elasticity;
• chondroprotectors and analogues of intra-articular fluid;
• hyaluronic acid as a lubricant and pain reliever.

Preparations in the form of tablets and capsules

A special group in drug therapy are the so-called chondroprotectors for osteoarthritis, which contain the structural elements of hyaline cartilage and thus restore it.

These drugs are available in the form of tablets and capsules intended to be taken orally through the gastrointestinal tract (orally).

Furthermore, patients are prescribed NSAIDs - anti-inflammatory drugs for osteoarthritis of the non-steroidal group, stopping acute pain and relieving exacerbations.

Painkillers are also used in the form of novocaine blockade.

In addition, complex vitamins are prescribed for osteoarthritis.

From natural preparations of local action is recommended medical bile, applied in the form of compresses on the skin.

Exercises for osteoarthritis

Special exercises and improvement gymnastics (LFK) have been excellently proven, the complex of which gives physical activity to the unhealthy part of the body in a gentle and dosed manner.

Dr. Bubnovsky and Evdokimenko developed their own groups of therapeutic exercises.

It is important to know! Exercise helps to restore health very effectively, but only if you address them early in the development of the disease!

Massage for osteoarthritis

A very beneficial effect in medical treatment and massage, which improves microcirculation and nutrition of deep tissues.

Diet for arthritis

In this condition, it is important to adhere to proper and rational nutrition in order to slightly improve the patient's condition. Abstinence from overeating, exclusion of animal fats and fried foods is recommended.

It is important to know! In addition, in the fight for healthy cartilage, it is necessary to use physiotherapy in the form of magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, paraffin and therapeutic mud wrappers.

Which doctor treats arthritis

First of all, with complaints of pain in the bone joints, you should go to the therapist. It is he who, after summarizing the patient's history and asking it in detail, will refer to the closely needed specialist.

Depending on the cause of the disease and its type, there may be doctors of profiles such as:

• orthopedist;
• traumatologist;
• surgeon;
• rheumatologist.