Arthrosis

Arthrosis is a degenerative process of articular cartilage.As this age-related disease progresses, the cartilage loses its elasticity.The disease progresses if 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, in which the cartilaginous tissue of the joint is gradually damaged.Diagnosed at the age of 45.Primary arthrosis progresses and treatment cannot be neglected, because 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 has creaking in the joints, pain when bending and straightening the limbs, swelling (edema), contact an orthopedist immediately.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 the metabolic process, for example, when blood circulation and lymph outflow are disturbed.Hormonal imbalance often causes arthrosis of the hip joint in women.

Reasons

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 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;
• disturbed metabolism.It causes cartilage deformation;
• autoimmune diseases.The body reacts to its own cells as if it were a foreign object;
• inflammatory joint diseases.For example, arthritis;
• tuberculosis of bone tissue;
• 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 bleeding in the joint area;
• excess body weight.It creates additional stress on the joint and causes early wear;
• intense physical activities.For example, improper training regimen or carrying heavy objects.
• heredity;
• hormonal imbalances;
• lack of vitamins;
• improper diet;
• operations on joint tissues.

Symptoms of arthrosis

Signs of arthrosis progression:

• traffic restrictions
• painful pain
• increase in joint tissue
• increased temperature of the affected area
• swelling of joint tissue, the presence of compaction and swelling
• severe pain in the evening
• creaking 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.An intense but tolerable pain develops.A creaking sound is heard when moving the joint.The functioning of muscle tissue is impaired.
• Third.Joint tissue becomes thinner, and several foci of destruction are diagnosed.Doctors notice a significant deformation of the joint.Ligaments decrease in length, and joint mobility suffers.The contracture progresses.The likelihood of subluxations increases.

Complications

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

• joint tissue deformation
• complete immobility, disability

Disability

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

Which doctor should I contact?

At the first symptoms of arthrosis, consult an arthrologist.He specializes in the treatment of joints.If your condition is severe, make an appointment with an orthopedist.

Diagnostics

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 the collection of anamnesis and the clinical examination of the patient.The symptoms will help the doctor to correctly establish the diagnosis, even if it is not possible to do an MRI.

Computed tomography (CT) helps to study the structure of joint tissue in detail and detect changes, cartilaginous growths and osteophytes.The procedure lasts 2-3 minutes.The result is given in digital format or in the form of a photo.

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 a report on the examination.

Ultrasound of the joint 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 appears on the monitor.

Treatment of arthrosis

Once the diagnosis is made, a further examination and treatment plan is drawn up.An additional examination is needed to treat not the effect, but the cause.It consists of taking tests to determine the etiology of the disease.For example, in rheumatoid arthritis or gout, the amount of uric acid will be increased.

The course of treatment depends on the stage of disease development.First, pain and inflammation are alleviated.Physiotherapy procedures and massage are then used.Medicines help relieve pain, but do not prevent the destruction of joint tissue.

The doctor can also prescribe treatment in a sanatorium resort and recommend a set of physical exercises.In the final stages of the development of the disease, they resort to surgery.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 immediate relief of acute pain and reduction of inflammation.
• Chondroprotectors.They improve anabolism in cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation, prevent the process of cartilage destruction and remove swelling.
• Vasodilators.It is used to relieve spasms of small vessels and improve blood flow.
• Painkillers.
• Antispasmodics.It is used when muscle spasms occur.
• Analgesics.It helps to get rid of pain.
• Fats.Designed to reduce pain, improve blood circulation and ease the patient's condition.

Joint injections

Therapeutic drug blockades are an effective method of treating pain caused by arthrosis.Their advantages:

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

Antiseptics and antibiotics are used to block drugs, and hyaluronic acid injections are given to protect the cartilage tissue.They remove inflammation and accelerate cartilage regeneration.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, 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, reducing pain.Also, kinesio taping for joint arthrosis facilitates blood circulation and lymph flow.
• Manual therapy of arthrosis is effective as part of complex treatment.It improves the mobility 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 for arthrosis relieves pain, has an anti-edematous effect, reduces 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.It helps relieve sharp pain and fatigue after walking.Massage for arthrosis should not focus only on the damaged area: this will increase the inflammation.The massager performs stroking and rotational movements in the spine area, massages the lumbar and sacral parts, and then moves to the surface of the knee joint, where he performs stroking and light pinching.
• Hirudotherapy.Leeches inject useful enzymes into the blood - the patient's blood is diluted, blood flow to the affected area improves, joint elasticity increases and pain disappears.Treatment of arthrosis with leeches is contraindicated in 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 in arthrosis.

• Exercise therapy.You can perform therapeutic exercises with minimal or no pain.Physical exercises for arthrosis include static and dynamic loads, and there should be more of the former.They must be performed at a slow pace and smoothly - 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 healing bile can be applied if there is no external damage to the skin.
• Vitamins.Take vitamins A, B, C, D and E, zinc and calcium.They help restore cartilage and increase muscle tone.
• Orthopedic knee pads.Needed to repair the connection.They gradually relieve pain, reduce pressure on the joints, improve blood circulation in the damaged area and stabilize the work of the musculoskeletal system.
• Orthotics.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 movements in the joints.
• Acupuncture.It relieves pain, fights inflammation, improves blood circulation and restores cartilage tissue.The body is exposed to special needles by inserting points from 9 to 18. In gonarthrosis, the doctor works with the lower vertebra and the popliteal fossa.
• Ozone therapy for arthrosis.It helps to quickly restore knee function.Ozone molecules reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve blood circulation.
• PRP.This is a method that uses the patient's blood.Platelets with plasma are isolated from it 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 method of regeneration that began to be used recently.The stem cells are removed from the fat and mixed with the plasma, because the cells themselves are a bit dry and need to be diluted.After that, the injection is injected into the knee joint.One injection is enough, which gives the effect for 4-5 years.

Prevention of arthrosis

In order to reduce the risk of complications and prevent the destruction of joint tissue, it is recommended:

• give up alcohol, smoking and drugs
• do not overcool the joints
• reduce the amount of smoked products and semi-products
• eat more vegetables, fruits, grains and cartilage (jelly)
• avoid excess body weight
• avoid excessive stress
• perform preventive exercises
• do physical exercises every day
• drink enough water
• sleep at least 8 hours a day
• take vitamins once every 6 months
• perform a preventive examination once a year.

Frequently asked questions

What tests are done for arthrosis?

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

Is it possible to warm the joints in arthrosis?

If you have arthrosis, it is better not to warm up your joints before seeing a doctor.Heat can be harmful and increase pain.

Is it possible to do sports with arthrosis?

Skiing and cycling are useful for arthrosis.The pedals 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 in arthrosis of the joints helps recovery.Doctors recommend that you include foods rich in vitamins and microelements in your diet.Recommended fruit, rye and bran bread, cereals, fish, vegetables, lean meat.It is better to avoid smoked products, fast food products, sweets, pastries, fatty meats and processed foods.