Osteoarthritis refers to a disease that affects the joints.As a result of the dystrophic-degenerative process, cartilage is gradually destroyed and replaced by growing bone tissue.The pathological process is accompanied by pain, limited joint mobility, functional impairment, and severe deformation.About 10-25% of the population suffers from arthrosis.After 80 years, almost everyone experiences degenerative disorders in the musculoskeletal system.Most often, this disease affects the most mobile joints (fingers, hips, knees, neck).But sometimes the degenerative process develops in the ankle and shoulder joints.
Disease development factors
Various reasons trigger destructive processes in the body.The most important are congenital abnormalities of the connective tissue.Common microtrauma of joints and acute joint diseases contribute to the appearance of arthrosis.Over time, an untreated disease enters a chronic stage with frequent exacerbations.
Provocative factors that lead to the development of arthrosis are:
- overweight;
- physical inactivity;
- hormonal disorders;
- atherosclerosis;
- venous insufficiency;
- endocrine disorders;
- genetic predisposition;
- constant and heavy loads on the joints (for example, in weightlifters or people whose profession involves lifting and moving heavy objects).
Under the influence of provoking factors or several at once, cartilage tissue cells begin to collapse.Gradually, the cartilage becomes thinner, becomes less elastic, then is covered with cracks and falls.The bones in the joint begin to rub against each other.The body launches a compensatory mechanism, as a result of which bone tissue grows on the worn surface.As a result, the joint becomes inactive and becomes deformed.
Species
Arthrosis can be primary, which appears independently, and secondary, which develops as a result of disease, injury and joint deformity.
Depending on the affected joint, the disease has its name:
- Gonarthrosis affects the knee joint.
- Coxarthrosis is a hip joint disease.
- Spondyloarthrosis affects the intervertebral discs of the lumbar, cervical, and thoracic regions.
- Crusarthrosis involves the ankle in the pathological process.
If 3 or more joints are involved in the degenerative process, we are talking about the general form.If there are 1-2 joints, this is local arthrosis.
symptoms
At first, the degenerative process takes place unnoticed.There are no nerve fibers in the cartilage, so in the early stages of development the patient does not know what destructive processes are taking place in his body.The first signs appear only a few years after the beginning of the dystrophic-degenerative process, when the periosteum under the cartilage is injured or inflammation develops.
At first, there is pain in the limbs after heavy exercise.In the morning or after a long rest, a feeling of stiffness and dull pain that is not too strong occurs.After warming up or a short workout, all painful symptoms disappear.Therefore, people do not go to the doctor, considering that this is normal.Meanwhile, in the early stages it is easier to stop the development of arthrosis.
Over time, all signs get stronger.The pain becomes obsessive and constant, it prevents you from sleeping at night.Pain, stiffness, inability to fully work or do housework becomes more and more bothersome.Aching, twisting pains in the joints and surrounding muscles intensify in rainy weather.
Often, arthrosis affects the joints of the lower legs, so a person quickly gets tired of walking, it is difficult for him to climb stairs or any height, because due to the destruction of cartilage tissue, stiffness of the joints is formed.An unstable gait develops due to limb instability.When bending the joint, an unpleasant pulsating sound is heard when the articular surfaces, without cartilage, rub against each other.Patients try to limit the mobility of diseased joints, so muscle atrophy develops over time.The volume decreases, and the gait becomes more unstable.
If arthrosis develops in the upper joints, this happens most often after an injury or as a result of chronic arthritis.In this case, bone growth appears on the fingers, and the hand becomes square.
Clinical symptoms depend on the stage of development of arthrosis:
- Zero.
At zero level, a person is sometimes disturbed by slight discomfort.X-ray examination did not reveal any degenerative changes. - low level.
When walking for a long time, a slight dull ache occurs.X-rays show the appearance of small areas of bone defects along the edges of the articular surface.When bending the joint, a pulsating sound is heard. - Easy.
In the morning there is pain and stiffness.X-rays show osteophytes (single bone growths) along the edges of the joint, narrowing the joint space. - Simple.
Moderate levels are considered degenerative.Bones and muscles are always sore, especially at night.The joint is slightly swollen.X-ray examination showed greater narrowing of the joint space, proliferation of bone growth, and increased bone density. - heavy.
At a severe stage (deformation), constant pain occurs, getting stronger with movement.When you try to bend the joint, a rough humming sound is heard.X-ray shows a sharp narrowing of the joint space;osteophytes have grown so much that they cause deformation of the joint and changes in its structure.
Diagnosis and treatment
Orthopedists, rheumatologists, and surgeons are involved in determining the type and stage of the degenerative-dystrophic process in the joints.Diagnosis includes standard blood and urine tests.If necessary, immunological analysis and examination of intra-articular fluid for the presence of infection is performed.Instrumental studies are carried out (MRI, ultrasound to identify changes in periarticular and soft articular tissue, CT, x-ray to determine changes in bone tissue).
Therapy
This disease cannot be completely stopped.Timely diagnosis and treatment allows you to maintain mobility and prevent the development of destruction.
Antispasmodics, NSAIDs, steroid blocks injected into the joints, chondroprotectors, muscle relaxants, vitamin and mineral complexes, drugs to improve trophism in affected tissues, proteolysis inhibitors to slow down the destruction of cartilage and bone tissue are used as drugs in the treatment of arthrosis.
Patients with severe pain and unstable joints are recommended to wear tape that fixes the joint in a normal position using adhesive tape, orthosis, elastic knee pads or elbow pads.Sticks or crutches should be used as support.
Physiotherapy procedures must be prescribed, including UHF, massage, ozone therapy, electrophoresis and phonophoresis with analgesic solutions, magnetic therapy, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, darsonvalization, paraffin baths (if there is no inflammation)
In the final stage of arthrosis, when the tissue is destroyed and the joint is severely deformed, the only way is surgical intervention:
- Arthroscopy with the removal of bone growth, spine and replacement of part of the damaged cartilage.
- Endoscopy.This is a joint replacement (total or partial) with an artificial joint.
- Artodez.Joints are closed and fixed in a comfortable position.Over time, the articular surfaces grow together.
Prevention
Since it is impossible to restore your own joints to a normal physiological state, it is necessary to take measures in advance to prevent this disease.It is especially important to do this if there is a family history of this disease or if you are over 40 years of age.
Prevention includes maintaining a normal body mass index and regular exercise.Infectious pathologies and other joint diseases should be treated immediately, hypothermia and prolonged and sudden physical exertion should be avoided.People from risk groups (by age, having a traumatic profession, weak heredity) should regularly check their joints using x-rays.
Only timely and adequate treatment helps maintain joint health.