Degenerative arthrosis of the joints, with the progression of which the destruction of cartilage tissue occurs, is often diagnosed in men and women at a young age. The characteristic symptoms of a beginning disease are severe soreness, which occurs even at rest, when there is no load on the limbs. To alleviate unpleasant discomfort and prevent the destruction of cartilaginous structures, complex treatment is prescribed.
What is this disease?
Arthrosis is a terrible, common chronic ailment that affects most of the entire population.
The pathology is characterized by inflammatory lesions of the cartilage tissues of small and large joints. Due to degenerative changes in the cartilage, the periarticular capsule, synovial membrane, muscle and ligamentous structures, and bone tissues are affected. The root cause of the development of such a pathology is considered to be a disturbed metabolism. A complete cure for the disease is impossible, it will only be possible to bring the patient into remission, which is why arthrosis, which gradually destroys the articular system, is dangerous. Joint disease is often diagnosed in old age, but it also occurs in young people who are already in their 20s. It is important to diagnose the initial phase of its development. This will prevent new complications and help the body cope with the problem.
Reasons for development
Violation of metabolic processes in the articular joints provokes the onset of the development of the disease. Pathology is characteristic of one or several joints at the same time. Other common causes of arthrosis are:
- hormonal changes in women during menopause;
- violation of the blood supply to the joints;
- constant hypothermia;
- chronic damage;
- advanced age;
- excess weight;
- increased stress on the joints;
- autoimmune pathologies;
- diseased thyroid gland;
- hemophilia;
- herpes;
- hepatitis;
- allergies in which bone and articular structures are affected;
- varicose veins;
- strict diets or unbalanced meals;
- excessive physical activity;
- heredity;
- unfavorable environment.
Arthritic changes are observed in people who have to work in difficult physical conditions. These are such specific specialties:
- miners;
- bricklayers;
- metallurgists;
- blacksmiths;
- anglers.
Stages and characteristic symptoms
Signs of arthrosis develop gradually and increase as the pathology progresses. There are 3 stages of arthrosis:
- At the first stage, no morphological change is manifested, only the synovial composition of the fluid is disturbed, as a result of which the cartilage tissues receive less nutrients, quickly lose their elasticity and endurance. There is inflammation in the articular cavity, pain begins to bother.
- At stage II, the degenerative process develops more actively. The cartilages of the joints are gradually destroyed, uric acid is not fully excreted from the body, as a result of which the first bone growths appear in the joint. This limits the movement of the articular joint, so the inflammation progresses, persistent pain in the muscles of the limb disturbs.
- Grade III manifests itself as a complete thinning of the cartilage tissue of the joint, and deformation of the joint itself is also observed. There are signs of axial changes in the limb. Degenerative disorders in the ligamentous apparatus also begin, as a result of which the limb is no longer able to move normally, hypermobility is observed in combination with a violation of the natural range of motion. Pain with arthrosis stage 3 is constant, a person cannot lie quietly, sleep, rest. Complete malnutrition of the joint threatens to disrupt the functioning of the affected limb.
Other symptoms
The disease causes characteristic signs in a person, which are conventionally divided into 4 groups:
- Pain. Severe pain in the joints, which does not go away for a long time, is the first symptom that characterizes the progression of pathology. Soreness is caused by any movement or physical activity, but at rest the person gets better, the discomfort recedes.
- Crunch. This symptom is expressed in the stage of exacerbation of arthrosis. Due to the fact that the cartilage tissues of the joints are deformed for a long time, the bone structures begin to touch and rub against each other. As the crunch increases, the pain syndrome will also progress.
- Impaired joint mobility. Progressive bone arthrosis leads to increased growth of bone formations. As a result, the muscle tissue spasms, and the gap in the articular joint gradually decreases. The pressure in the joint increases, which also causes the limb to become immobilized.
- Joint deformity. The rapid growth of osteophytes can provoke a modification of the compound, but this symptom develops already in the later stages.
Varieties of arthrosis of the joints
Distinguish between idiopathic or primary arthrosis and secondary. The first type is an independent disease that occurs as a result of physiological, age-related changes. But the secondary form occurs against the background of chronic injuries and can manifest itself at any age - at 20 or 30 years. Considering which joint is affected, arthrosis is distinguished:
- shoulder or elbow joint;
- hip or knee joint;
- spine.
Also, the disease happens:
- refined;
- unspecified.
Why is it dangerous?
Acute arthrosis is terrible because, as the pathology progresses, the spine is involved in degenerative processes, as a result of which hernias appear. Therefore, it is important to effectively treat arthrosis at the initial stages of development, when it is possible to apply conservative methods. If medication is provided out of time or the patient tried to heal on his own, the following disorders begin to appear:
- deformation and destruction of articular elements;
- limitation of limb mobility;
- disability;
- violation of the biomechanics of the spinal column due to the fact that the disc has subsided.
Diagnostics
Before prescribing an effective treatment for arthrosis or removing the affected areas, it is important to know the exact diagnosis. Therefore, after the initial examination, the patient is sent to pass:
- general clinical analysis of blood and urine;
- puncture of synovial fluid, if there is a suspicion of synovitis of the knee joint;
- a sample for a histological examination of a biopath.
Instrumental diagnostics is carried out - radiography. If a patient has gonarthrosis (especially pronounced with varicose veins), X-rays of the knee joint should be taken. With dysplasia and arthrosis of the hip joint, this area of the musculoskeletal system is examined. To determine the types of damage to cartilaginous structures, it is recommended to undergo an ultrasound, MRI or CT scan.
How to treat?
Medicinal and surgical
Early arthrosis is treated with conservative therapy. Medicines are selected by a doctor strictly according to an individual scheme. If a person has a stomach ulcer or other pathologies of the organs of the gastrointestinal tract, then oral administration is contraindicated. In this case, injections will give the proper effect. The correct prescription of medicines will help to enhance the activity of metabolic processes in the affected areas. Effective groups of drugs, thanks to which remission will be prolonged:
- Anti-inflammatory;
- Hormonal corticosteroids;
- Chondroprotectors.
If conservative methods have not yielded results, surgical treatment is prescribed. To relieve the joint, palliative operations are indicated. When the joint is completely destroyed, surgical therapy is performed to replace it, it is called arthroplasty. Since new technologies have made progress in the field of prosthetics, people with a replaced joint can live a different, but full life.
Exercise therapy, physiotherapy, massage
Kinesitherapy is the name of a type of therapy developed by a renowned physician. This is a set of physical exercises that must be performed on special simulators. Regular exercise will help normalize the joint and improve its functionality. This means that the exercises are recommended to be performed in special hospitals specializing in diseases of the musculoskeletal system.
Massage procedures performed by a chiropractor will help to normalize blood supply and nutrition to diseased areas, as a result of which the condition of the articular joints will gradually improve. If the causes of arthrosis are accurately clarified and there are no contraindications, a course of physiotherapeutic procedures is prescribed, for example, the following:
- electrophoresis;
- magnetotherapy;
- laser treatment;
- mud therapy;
- medical applications based on natural resins.
The need for a diet
If arthrosis is provoked by obesity, the patient is advised to go on a diet that will help normalize body weight, which will significantly relieve the stress on the joints and improve their functioning. In order for the cartilage tissues to recover faster, doctors recommend that their patients eat jellies and broths boiled on bones more often. Thanks to the collagen contained in these dishes, connective tissues will begin to regenerate and repair faster. It is also important to monitor the balance and completeness of the diet. Food should be varied, rich in vitamins, micro- and macroelements.
Prevention
To avoid the progression of such a dangerous and serious disease, it is important to dose the load on the joints, especially the joints of the lower extremities. It is also worth avoiding injuries and fractures, after which the risk of arthrosis increases tenfold. It is important to lead an active lifestyle, regularly do morning workouts, eat right and monitor your weight. Thanks to these rules, it will be possible to protect yourself from the occurrence of destructive pathology or relapse.