Causes, symptoms of osteoarthritis, its complications and its treatment methods

Arthritis is a disease of the joints, considered to be dystrophic and associated with a slow destruction of the cartilage within the joint.With osteoarthritis, over a long period, changes occur, the restructuring of the articular extremities of bones, inflammatory processes are underway and the degeneration of periogenatic tissues occurs.One thing such that "osteoarthritis" does not include a very large group of joint diseases of a degenerative-inflammatory nature, which have different causes and similar mechanisms of their development.

Arthrosis is considered the most common joint disease in the world, depending on statistical data to one degree or another, up to 80% of the globe population suffers from osteoarthritis.Lentry of this type are very common and are in third place, after oncology and cardiovascular diseases.

The probability of developing osteoarthritis with age increases several times.The disease also affects men and women, the exception is only osteoarthritis of the inter-Phalanx joints, because it is most often noticed in women.Arthrosis exceeds people at the working age - from 30 years old and each year, the number of sick people increases regularly and regularly.

The causes of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is developing due to metabolic disorders in the joint, which in turn leads to the fact that cartilage begins to lose elasticity.This can be facilitated by a complete or partial loss of the composition of the proteoglycan cartilage, this is generally occurred due to fairly deep cracks in the cartilage itself.The loss of proteoglycans can occur for another reason: due to the failure of their production by joint cells.

The following reasons can affect the occurrence and the development of osteoarthritis:

• Previous anterior wounds.It can be dislocations, bruises, fractures, ligaments and other damage.
• Metabolic disorders.
• Excess body weight, leading to additional loads on the joints.
• The inflammatory process in the joints is acute purulent arthritis.
• Age of the elderly.
• Low power quality.
• Hypothermia.
• Autoimmune diseases - Red lupus, rheumatoid arthritis.
• General body intoxication.
• Frequent colds.
• Specific inflammation - syphilis, tuberculosis, tick encephalitis, gonorrhea.
• Thyroid diseases.
• Violation of blood coagulation (hemophilia).
• Loss disease is a violation of the blood supply to the femoral head.

In addition, at risk, in the near future, a disease such as osteoarthritis, are people whose professions are: Mason, mine, fisherman, blacksmith, metallurgist - and other areas of activity linked to the increase in physical work.

Osteoarthritis

Symptom of osteoarthritisThere is a charge pain on the joint, which lights up when the joint at rest;Reduce the mobility of the joint, the crunch, a feeling of muscle tension in the joint.The articulation periodically affected by osteoarthritis can swell and, over time, deforms.

Consider the following 4 large groups of osteoarthritis symptoms:

• Pain.The presence of pain is the first sign of arthritis of the joints.We can assume that with any damage, similar sensations occur, but with osteoarthritis, pain has certain characteristics.First, this is the occurrence of sudden pain or significant discomfort during movements.It will be located where the painful joint is located.When a person stops the movement and enters a state of rest, the pain passes.At night, a person hardly feels unpleasant sensations, unless during the body's state couples, finding the optimal position - the patient falls asleep calmly.The pain appears during rest only at the stage of the progression of the disease, it has a certain similarity with dental bastards when a person cannot fall asleep.They are closer to the morning - at 5 am.Thus, at the beginning of the pain, there is practically no pain, it can only be felt with the load or palpation, over time, the suffering of a person is intensified and the joint requires more and more periods of rest.Then, life turns completely into torture - the hyalin cartilage is clarified, the bone is exposed, the osteophytes begin to grow.The acute pain almost constantly torments, intensifying even more in bad weather and full moon.
• Bite.An equally indicative symptom of osteoarthritis is the presence of crunch.It becomes audible due to the fact that the sweetness of bone rotation in the joint is reduced, they rub on each other, following a characteristic sound.A crunch can be heard with other diseases, and even when the joints are healthy.But it is precisely such a crunch that is distinguished by its "dry" sound.The more the disease progresses, the more bright the sound.In addition, if a crunch is heard, pain will be felt.This is what makes it possible to distinguish the sound elaborated by the articulations with osteoarthritis of the usual harmless click.
• Another symptom characteristic of osteoarthritis.At the initial stage, this phenomenon does not disturb the patient, but with the progression of osteoarthritis, the germination of bone neoplasms leads to the fact that the muscles are spasmodic and the joint gap disappears almost completely.This is the cause of the immobility of the limbs at the destination.
• Joint deformation.Its modification is determined by the fact that osteophytes develop on the surface of the bones and that the synovial fluid arrives.Although deformation is one of the last symptoms, when osteoarthritis has struck the joint to a large extent.

The course of the disease is characterized by the stages of exacerbation and the stages of the remission.This considerably complicates the independent diagnosis of osteoarthritis, based only on its own sensations.Therefore, it is necessary to request a clarification of the diagnosis from the doctor.

Degree of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis is characterized by dystrophic degenerative changes in joints that will pursue a person in the form of chronic disease.The result of such destruction is the defeat of the cartilage articulation, pathological changes in its capsule and the synovial shell, in ligaments and bone structures.

It is usual to distinguish between three degrees of osteoarthritis, which characterize the different gravity of the course of the disease and have various symptoms.

1 degree of osteoarthritis

At the first stage of the development of osteoarthritis, serious changes in joint morphology are not observed.Only the composition of the synovial fluid is disturbed.It provides joint tissues with worse nutrients, so cartilage loses its old resistance to loads familiar to it.This leads to the fact that the cartilage tissues are inflamed, a person suffers.

The patient can complain of an insignificant stiffness in the joints, but more often than not, he does not pay any attention to this feeling, attributing such a violation of health changes over time, an uncomfortable pose, etc.

Sometimes a weak crunch can be heard in the area of the affected joint.The pain can be painful.If the disease is diagnosed at this stage, it will be possible to deal with conservative methods.

2 degree of osteoarthritis

The second stage of osteoarthritis is accompanied by the destruction of cartilage.Bone growth appears on the edges of the joint.The more intense the load, the higher the cartilage tissue of the joint.

A person experiences constant pains, to which they get used to it.Inflammation is calm now, then aggravates again.

The muscles surrounding the joints will lose their old functions, but most often these disorders are weak or moderate.Therefore, at this stage, a person can refuse to visit the doctor.

After a short load on the legs, a person may experience fatigue.At the same time, painful pain in the joints becomes acute.The crystals during the movement is intensifying, which is explained by bone growth.

It is in the second degree of development of osteoarthritis in the joints that the deformation process begins, so you must certainly ask for medical help.

3 degree of osteoarthritis

The third degree of osteoarthritis is the most serious.The articular cartilage of the affected joint is not only clarified, but has also started to collapse, and the pathological foci is already quite large.The joint is very distorted, which affects the normal axis of the limb.

The ligaments surrounding the articulation earlier lose their functional activity, become short, which affects the mobility of the arms or legs.

During this period, a person has contractures and subluxation.The muscles surrounding the joint are shortened and stretched, they are difficult to contract.The joint itself and the nearby tissues suffer from insufficient nutrition.

A person is tormented by intense pain, they are sharp and clear.Even at rest, the patient experiences significant discomfort.The third degree of osteoarthritis is associated with the risk of complete loss of human capacity.

Types of osteoarthritis

According to the cause of osteoarthritis, an unclear etiology disease, that is to say idiopathic osteoarthritis, is distinguished.Most often, it is diagnosed in people over 40.There is also secondary osteoarthritis, which occurs in the context of obvious causes (after an injury, with joint inflammation, with endocrine diseases, etc.).

In addition to the fact that osteoarthritis is classified according to the cause of its occurrence, the following varieties of the disease are distinguished:

• Knee osteoarthritis or gonarthrosis.This is the most common type of disease.At the same time, the knee joints suffer.Pathology is most often diagnosed in people with excess body weight, in the context of metabolic impairment in the body, as well as stress.The disease has developed over the years, at its late stage, the knee has completely lost its mobility.
• Ankle arthritis.In this type of disease, the ankle joint is affected.The disease develops in the context of injuries, with the stretching of ligaments, due to available dysplasia, drop and diabetes.Sometimes the cause of pathology is rheumatoid arthritis.Most often, ankle osteoarthritis is diagnosed in people whose work is associated with excessive loads in this area: in dancers, athletes, in women who wear high themed shoes.
• Shoulder osteoarthritis.The main reason for the pathology is considered to be congenital defects in shoulder joint or excessive charges.The risk group includes carriers, plaster and people occupied by hard manual work.This also includes osteoarthritis of the elbow joint.
• Osteoarthritis of hip joint or coxarthrosis.It is one of the heavy varieties of pathology.The main reason is age -related changes in joint tissues.The risk group includes people over 40.
• Cervical osteoarthritis.The reasons which can lead to the development of this pathology: insufficient mobility of the cervical column, obesity and injuries.The risk group includes people involved in sedentary work.In addition to the main symptoms of osteoarthritis in the form of pain and restriction of joint mobility, patients have dizziness, headache and sometimes even a loss of consciousness.This is due to the involvement of the vertebral artery in the pathological process, which feeds the brain.
• Osteoarthrosis of the hands and fingers.In this case, the wrist joint is damaged, finger joints, etc.Most often, women who have entered during the menopause period suffer from pathology.
• Spondyrolrosis in which the joints and cartilage of the spine suffer.The disease is most often developed in the elderly, after 65 years.Women are mainly suffered from him, which is explained by a decrease in the level of estrogens after the highest point that came.
• In polyosteoarthrosis.It is a degenerative disease in which peripheral joints, ligaments and tendons suffer.The joints of the spine can be involved in pathology.

Osteoarthritis complications

If osteoarthritis does not provide appropriate attention, do not treat it in time and correctly, this can lead not only to the complete destruction of the sick joint, but also to a change in biomechanics of the spine, which is why hernias in intervertebral discs may appear and the development of osteoarthritis in other healthy joints can begin.The complication of arthritis of the joints is preferable not to allow it.

The following pathologies are distinguished as the main complications of osteoarthritis:

• Destruction of the joint.
• Joint deformation.
• The impossibility of carrying out movements.
• Patient handicap.
• Violation of the biomechanics of the spine and other joints.
• Hernies of intervertebral discs.
• Reduce the patient's standard of living.

Diagnosis of osteoarthritis

To make a diagnosis, the doctor must interview and inspect the patient.Then he will appoint an X-Ray of the affected joints.

X -ray images are most often carried out in 2 projections.The study allows you to visualize dystrophic changes in tissues, cartilage damage and adjacent bones.The joint gap in patients with osteoarthritis is narrowed, the bone site is distorted, bone growth, osteophytes can leave it.Sometimes the articulation itself loses stability, which leads to dislocations.

The first sign of osteoarthritis, which can be visualized within an X -ray, is the presence of osteophytes.First, the edges of the joint surface are simply sharp.In the future, they thicken, then the growths and the points appear on them.The joint gap already becomes pathology is progressing.

According to the resulting radiological image, the doctor can make the following diagnosis (the classification of Kellgren-Lawrence is considered to be the basis):

• Osteoarthritis is doubtful.It is not possible to determine the degree of narrowing of the joint difference, but the small osteophytes are visible.
• Sweet osteoarthritis, in which osteophytes are well visualized, but there are doubts about the narrowing of the joint gap.
• Moderate osteoarthritis is diagnosed when the joint space is clearly narrowed and osteophytes are clearly visible.Sometimes bone deformations are found.
• Severe osteoarthritis is accompanied by a significant narrowing of the joint difference and the formation of large osteophytes.The joint will be distorted.

If the doctor needs more information on the state of the joint, he can order the patient to pass the CT, arthroscopy or MRI.To assess the quality of the synovial fluid, joint puncture is carried out.

Treatment methods

It is preferable to treat the painful joints at an early stage, the treatment itself must be pathogenetic and complex.The essence of treatment is to eliminate the causes that contribute to the development of this disease, it is also necessary to eliminate inflammatory changes and to restore the functions that have been lost earlier.

The complete treatment of osteoarthritis includes drugs that have anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties, physiotherapeutic procedures should also be carried out, which have an analgesic effect on the joints.If the treatment is carried out in a spa catch -up, it consists of climatic conditions which act favorably on the joints, as well as in the use of mineral waters and mud.

The treatment of osteoarthritis is based on several basic principles:

• Damaged joints should be eliminated from excessive load.If possible, during treatment, it should generally be reduced to a minimum.
• According to the established orthopedic diet.
• Classes of physiotherapy exercises.
• The passage of physiotherapy, which includes a magnet and electrotherapy, a shock wave, as well as laser therapy.
• Treatment of sanatorium.To do this, it is necessary once a year, on the recommendation of a doctor, undergoes a course treatment in specialized stations.
• Saturation of the joint with oxygen, or oxygen therapy of the joint if called inside.
• Therapy with drugs.
• Inside, bone blocking, as well as the decompression of metrophy.
• Rational approach to nutrition.

Physiotherapeutic treatment

You can face osteoarthritis using physiotherapeutic treatment methods.

These include:

• Uvt.Shock therapy allows you to get rid of osteophytes, which are bone processes.They are the ones who become the main cause of pain.The waves soften these growths and after a while they are absorbed.In parallel, the power of the joint improves, the metabolic processes are standardized.This procedure is only effective in the first stages of the development of the disease.In addition, only a doctor can name him because he has many contraindications.
• Myostimulation.The method is based on muscle stimulation by electrical impulses.The procedure is indicated for the treatment of bedding patients who are forced to adhere to bed rest after an injury.This method is not very often prescribed for osteoarthritis, although it allows you to normalize the blood flow in the problematic zone and to increase muscle tone, which makes it possible to offer deadlines for the restoration of the joints.
• Phonophoresis.In this treatment method, the joint is exposed to ultrasonic waves and drugs.The effect of drugs increases because they will be delivered "exactly at your destination", and the cells will learn them better.
• Ozonotherapy.This method implies the introduction of a mixture of gas into the joint.The patient disappears, inflammation decreases, joint mobility is standardized and blood circulation improves.The treatment is carried out in the courses.Their duration depends on the severity of the flow of the pathology.

Surgical treatment types

When it is not possible to cope with the disease with conservative methods, the patient is directed to the operation.

Surgical intervention methods include:

• Performance of the puncture.It is not only a therapeutic method, but also a diagnostic method.During its implementation, the needle is inserted into the joint, taking a small amount of liquid.In the future, he is sent for analysis.This method allows you to withdraw the load of the joint, as well as to deliver drugs, for example, corticosteroids.
• Arthroscopy.At the same time, an arthroscope is introduced into the joint, for which several small cuts are made on the skin.This procedure makes it possible to assess the state of the interior joint.During arthroscopy, the doctor can eliminate unnecessary cartilage, providing a person from the pain.
• Near joint osteotomy.The operation comes down to the fact that the bones of the joint are slightly sawn and fixed in the right position.This allows you to reduce the load in the defeat area, as well as save a person from the pain.Although the procedure is sufficiently effective, they rarely use it, because it is carried out under anesthesia and requires a long period of recovery.
• Replace your own joint with a prosthesis.The endoprothetics is used if the joint is very distorted and cannot be restored.It is a difficult operation that costs a lot of money.The prosthesis itself is made of materials such as: metal, ceramic, plastic.After the intervention, a person is restored for a long time, can suffer from pain.Although it is often impossible to help patients with other methods, otherwise a person can be completely immobilized.A high quality prosthesis is able to last 20 years.During all this time, a person will not encounter any movement problems.

Drugs

Consider drug treatment in more detail:

• Anti-inflammatory drugs.The start of osteoarthritis therapy is complete, you can slow down the course of the disease and largely improve quality of life.It is worth lingering in more detail at certain treatment points.In particular, therapy with drugs includes at the initial stage - it is the elimination of pain, as well as the elimination of inflammatory processes occurring in the joints.
• Hormonal corticosteroids.When osteoarthritis is at the stage of exacerbation, hormonal corticosteroids are recommended.They are inserted in the joint.Externally, you can use a special patch, ointment or dye, which are made on the basic pepper base.
• Preparations to restore cartilage and improve the high quality composition of synovial fluid will not be superfluous.The course lasts a fairly long period until the moment until the improvement occurs.  

If the case is particularly difficult, the consumption of narcotic pain relievers can be prescribed.But they are extremely used rarely when the rest of the means has not brought the desired effect.

Appropriate nutrition for osteoarthritis

In addition, it is worth linger on nutrition during an exacerbation of the disease.There are also certain recommendations here - you cannot eat too much, because it will contribute to the accumulation of extra pounds, but it is impossible to die of hunger, because the supply of cartilage with important elements will be broken.The priority task that is confronted with the patient with an excess weight is his decrease.To do this, it is simply necessary to eliminate rapid carbohydrates from the diet, they are contained in all flour and candy products.Alcohol falls under the ban and first of all of beer.

There is absolutely no complaint regarding fish dishes - they can be used a lot, of course, in reasonable quantities.But you should not rely on its too fatty varieties, because they have many calories, which means that extra pounds will not be long to come.

An important role in the treatment of osteoarthritis is attributed to a cold dish.Surprisingly, it is this dish that is recommended to include all the doctors of the food.Such food will be a real warehouse of elements for the painful joints.The most important component of this dish is a collagen of natural origin.It is absorbed by the body fairly quickly and is the basis of any connective tissue.Thanks to the regular consumption of the jelly, good results can be obtained - the joints will become more mobile, the tissues that line their tissues - elastic, and the cartilage and the bones will gain strength.

Do not forget the regular consumption of vitamins with food.For patients with osteoarthritis, B vitamins are particularly relevant

Pyridoxine will help the production of hemoglobin.""You can get it ”by eating bananas, nuts, cabbage and potatoes.It is worth taking away with greenery and legumes.They will become a source of folic acid.The liver, mushrooms, dairy products, as well as eggs will be useful.They are rich in riboflavin.

By observing the therapeutic scheme prescribed by the doctor, it may be obtained that the disease withdraws and the damaged tissues are starting to recover.