Arthrosis is a chronic degenerative disease that affects all parts of the joint: cartilage, joint membrane, ligaments, capsule, periarticular bones and periarticular muscles and ligaments.
According to European doctors, arthrosis accounts for almost 70% of all rheumatological diseases. People aged 40-60 are most susceptible to arthrosis of the joints. Lack of movement and prolonged overload, poor nutrition and, of course, injuries contribute to this.
What is a joint?
Usually a human joint consists of 2 or more bones. All working surfaces of the joint have a protective coating and are constantly lubricated with synovial fluid for the best gliding. The joint cavity itself is hermetically sealed by the joint capsule.
There are many joints in our body that are "responsible" for certain types of movements, can experience different loads and have different safety limits.
The amount of movement in the joints depends on the structure of the joint, the ligament apparatus that limits and strengthens the joint, and the various muscles that are attached to the bones by tendons.
Causes of arthrosis of the joints
Normal functioning of the joints is possible with constant self-renewal of cartilage tissue. At a young age, the rate at which old joint cells die is equal to the rate at which new cells are born. Over the years, the process of cell renewal slows down, and cartilage tissue begins to thin. Synovial fluid production also decreases. As a result, joint cartilage begins to thin and break down, leading to osteoarthritis.
In addition, there are other causes of arthrosis of the joints:
- increased physical activity. Arthrosis of the joints is a frequent accompaniment of excess weight. As a result of overloading, microtraumas occur in the joints. Athletes develop joint damage due to increased load on "unheated" joints;
- joint injuries;
- congenital or acquired deformities of the musculoskeletal system (rickets, kyphosis, scoliosis, improper bone fusion after injuries with the appearance of limb deformities: O-shape and X-deformity of the legs).
Stages of arthrosis
Depending on the degree of cartilage tissue destruction, different stages or degrees of arthrosis can be distinguished.
Degree and symptoms of arthrosis
- Arthrosis of the 1st degree is characterized by periodic pains in the joints, especially with increased physical activity. After rest, the pain usually goes away. The range of motion in the joint is not limited, the muscle strength of the injured limb has not changed. X-rays may show minimal signs of joint damage.
- Arthrosis of the 2nd degree is manifested by painful sensations not only with intense physical stress, but also with minor loads. Even during rest, joint pain may not go away. This degree is characterized by stiffness of movement and limited mobility in the joints. This eventually leads to muscle atrophy. An X-ray can show the deformation of the joint, the reduction of the joint space and the appearance of bony growths near this gap.
- Arthrosis of the 3rd degree - every movement causes a person great pain. Pain in the joint is present even at rest. Therefore, the person tries to move as little as possible so that the pain is minimal. In some cases, mobility requires the use of crutches or a wheelchair. Sometimes there is fusion of bones - ankylosis (as in ankylosing spondylitis).
In deforming arthrosis, there are irreversible changes in the cartilage tissue of the joint and its functions and structure are completely disturbed. Deforming arthrosis of the joints is based on the occurrence of dysfunction in the formation of hyaline cartilage and synovial fluid.
Diagnosis of arthrosis of the joints
The main method for diagnosing joints is radiography. In arthrosis, changes in the joints, uneven joint surfaces and narrowing of the joint space can be observed.
Which joints are more likely to suffer from arthrosis?
The joints of the extremities that are most susceptible to arthrosis are the hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and hands.
With arthrosis of the hip joint, a person may first feel slight discomfort in the legs after running or walking. Over time, the pain intensifies, there is limitation and stiffness of movement. In the third stage of the disease, the patient protects the leg and tries, if possible, not to step on it.
Osteoarthritis of the knee joint manifests itself as pain in the knee joint after bending and straightening the legs. The most common cause of knee arthrosis is past injuries. As a result of these injuries, the gliding of the joint surfaces is disturbed and their rapid wear occurs. In some cases, the joint may gradually lose its mobility.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint manifests itself in the form of swelling and pain in the ankle joint. The cause of arthrosis of the ankle joint can be: deformations, fractures of the ankle joint and talus, dislocations, flat feet, chronic injuries of the ankle joint in athletes and ballerinas. Otherwise, they often have arthrosis of the feet.
Arthrosis of the shoulder, elbow and wrist joints most often occurs as a result of injuries, bruises, dislocations and intra-articular fractures. Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint is characterized by pressing, aching, dull pain that radiates to the forearm and hand. Pain occurs most often at night. In arthrosis of the hands, the pain is accompanied by dysfunction of the hand.
Treatment of arthrosis
The main ways of treating arthrosis are drug treatment, the use of physiotherapy and surgical treatment.
Drug treatment
The use of drugs improves blood circulation in damaged joints, restores the properties of cartilage, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
In arthrosis, swelling of the joint may occur, the joint starts to hurt, and the range of motion decreases. When taking anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), the pain decreases, the inflammatory chain reaction stops and the process of cartilage renewal is accelerated.
Medicines can be used in the form of tablets, rectal suppositories and powders. But remember that self-medication is unacceptable; the selection and dosage of drugs for arthrosis is carried out by a rheumatologist.
Centrally acting painkillers
Opioid drugs lower the patient's pain threshold. Such drugs can be taken strictly according to the prescription and only under the supervision of a doctor!
Hondoprotective drugs
Hondoprotective drugs are structural elements of the cartilage itself, therefore they actively restore this tissue and prevent its further destruction. Treatment is effective in the initial stages of the disease. When the joint is already completely destroyed, it is not possible to restore the original shape of the deformed bones or to grow new cartilage.
However, in stages 1-2 of arthrosis, chondroprotectors can bring significant relief to the patient. Combined preparations, which include both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate, give better results compared to a single-component preparation.
Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate
These drugs help slow down the inflammatory response in tissues, reduce cartilage damage, and reduce pain. Most often, these 2 drugs are used together in treatment, because they have an accumulative effect, but they must be taken for 3-6 months.
Hyaluronic acid
It ensures the viscosity and elasticity of the synovial fluid. It helps the joints to slide well. This is why doctors often prescribe injections of hyaluronic acid into the affected joint.
Physiotherapy treatments
Physiotherapy treatments may include:
- UHF therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- low intensity laser radiation;
- electrophoresis with drugs;
- phonophoresis (using ultrasound to introduce medicine to the site of inflammation).
Operation
Surgical treatment is used to restore and improve joint mobility, as well as to remove part of the cartilage or damaged meniscus.
Surgical treatment of arthrosis is resorted to in extreme cases, when drug treatment does not give results, when there is severe pain, partial or complete immobility in the joints.
During arthroscopic surgery, it is possible to remove part of the cartilage affected by arthrosis, polish it to obtain a smooth surface, remove cartilage fragments and growths, and cut off part of the damaged ligaments.
Knee replacement
With this operation, the articular surfaces of the knee joint are replaced with metal or combined prostheses. The prepared plates replicate the surface of articular cartilage. Such prostheses are made of special alloys, do not cause a rejection reaction in patients, do not oxidize and do not injure the surrounding tissues.
Hip surgery for osteoarthritis
During this operation, a partial removal of the cartilage and bone tissue of the pelvis and femur is performed. Typically, the femoral head and the articular surface of the pelvic bone are removed and replaced with a metal or metal-ceramic prosthesis.
Diet for arthrosis
Excess body weight is a great enemy of your joints. Most patients suffering from arthrosis of the hip and knee joints are overweight.
Therefore, a properly selected diet is recommended for arthrosis. Meat jelly prepared in cartilage broth is believed to be beneficial for arthrosis. It contains a lot of collagen and structural components of cartilage, which help to restore cartilage tissue.
Dairy products, protein and calcium are beneficial. Animal proteins are found in lean meat and fish, while plant proteins are found in buckwheat porridge, beans and lentils. Boiled, stewed and steamed dishes are very healthy.
The best diet for joints is a diet with a slight predominance of carbohydrates (preferably complex carbohydrates), fruits and vegetables, and a sufficient amount of protein and calcium.
Prevention of arthrosis
Prevention of arthrosis, no matter how trivial, lies in a healthy lifestyle. If possible, try to be in the fresh air, move, walk barefoot on sand, green grass and just on the ground. This type of walking improves muscle function and increases blood circulation in the feet.
Using physical therapy with various arm and leg swings, twists and turns will provide feasible support for your joints.
Patients often wonder if alternative treatment for arthrosis is possible? Yes, folk remedies can help in the initial stages of the disease, reduce pain and improve the general condition of the patient. But it does not replace following your doctor's instructions.