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 joint arthrosis. This is facilitated by both inactivity and prolonged overload, poor nutrition and, of course, injuries.
What is joint?
Typically, a human joint consists of 2 or more connecting bones. All working surfaces of the joint have a protective coating and are constantly lubricated with synovial fluid for optimal gliding. The joint cavity itself is hermetically sealed by the articular capsule.
There are many joints in our body that are "responsible" for certain types of movement, can be subjected to different loads and have different safety limits.
The amount of movement in the joints depends on the structure of the joint, the ligamentous apparatus that limits and strengthens the joint, and the various muscles connected to the bones by tendons.
Causes of joint arthrosis
With the constant self-renewal of the cartilage tissue, the normal functioning of the joints is possible. At a young age, the rate of death of old joint cells is equal to the rate of birth of new cells. Over the years, the process of cell renewal slows down, cartilage tissue begins to thin. The production of synovial fluid also decreases. As a result, the articular cartilage begins to thin and break down, which leads to arthrosis.
In addition, there are other causes of joint arthrosis:
- increased physical activity. Arthrosis of the joints is often accompanied by excess weight. As a result of excessive loading, microtraumas occur in the joints. Athletes develop joint damage due to increased loads on "unheated" joints;
- joint injuries;
- Congenital or acquired deformations of the musculoskeletal system (rickets, kyphosis, scoliosis, improper fusion of bones after injuries with the appearance of limb deformation: O and X-shaped deformation of the legs).
Stages of arthrosis
Depending on the degree of destruction of cartilage tissue, different stages or degrees of arthrosis can be distinguished.
Degrees and symptoms of arthrosis
- Grade 1 arthrosis is characterized by periodic pain in the joints, especially with increased physical activity. After rest, the pain usually disappears. The range of motion in the joint is not limited, and the muscle strength in the injured area does not change. X-rays may show minimal signs of joint damage.
- Arthritis of the 2nd degree manifests itself not only with strong physical stress, but also with painful sensations with small loads. Even with rest, joint pain may not subside. This degree is characterized by stiffness in movements and limited mobility in joints. This eventually leads to muscle atrophy. X-ray can show the deformation of the joint, the reduction of the joint space and the appearance of bone growths near this space.
- 3rd degree arthrosis - any movement gives a person great pain. Pain in the joint is present even at rest. Therefore, a person tries to move as little as possible so that the pain is minimal. In some cases, movement requires the use of crutches or crutches. Sometimes there is a fusion of bones - ankylosis (as in ankylosing spondylitis).
With deforming arthrosis, irreversible changes occur in the cartilage tissue of the joint, and its functions and structure are completely disrupted. Arthrosis of deforming joints is based on the appearance of dysfunction in the formation of hyaline cartilage and synovial fluid.
Diagnosis of joint arthrosis
The main method of diagnosing joints is radiography. With arthrosis, changes in the joints, uneven joint surfaces and narrowing of the joint space can be observed.
Which joints suffer more from arthrosis?
The joints of the limbs most susceptible to arthrosis are hips, knees, shoulders, elbows and hands.
A person with arthrosis of the hip joint may first feel slight discomfort in the legs after running or walking. Over time, the pain intensifies, limitation of movement and stiffness appear. With the 3rd stage of the disease, the patient protects the foot and tries not to step on it if possible.
Arthrosis 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 sliding of the articular surfaces is disturbed and their rapid wear occurs. In some cases, the joint may gradually lose mobility.
Arthrosis of the ankle joint manifests itself in the form of swelling and pain in the ankle. The cause of arthrosis of the ankle joint can be: deformations, fractures of the ankle and talus, dislocations, flat feet, chronic injuries of the ankle in athletes and ballerinas. By the way, they often suffer from foot arthrosis.
Osteoarthritis of the shoulder joint, elbow and wrist joints is most often seen as a result of injuries, bruises, sprains and intra-articular fractures. Arthrosis of the shoulder joint is characterized by pressing, aching, dull pain that spreads to the forearm and hands. The pain appears mostly at night. Pain with arthrosis of the hands is accompanied by dysfunction of the hand.
Treatment of arthrosis
The main means of treatment of arthrosis are the use of drug therapy, physiotherapy and surgical treatment.
Drug treatment
The use of drugs helps to improve blood circulation in damaged joints, restore the properties of cartilage, has an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
With arthrosis, swelling of the joint may appear, the joint begins to ache and the range of motion decreases. When taking anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), pain is reduced, the inflammatory chain reaction is stopped, and the process of cartilage regeneration is accelerated.
Medicines can be used in the form of tablets, rectal suppositories and powder. But remember that self-treatment is unacceptable, the choice and dosage of drugs for arthrosis is carried out by a rheumatologist.
Centrally acting painkillers
Opioid drugs reduce the patient's pain threshold. Such drugs can be taken strictly according to the prescription and only under the supervision of a doctor!
Chondroprotective drugs
Chondoprotective drugs are structural elements of the cartilage itself, so they actively restore this tissue and prevent its further destruction. Treatment is effective in the early stages of the disease. When the joint is already completely destroyed, it is impossible to return 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. Combination preparations containing both glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate give better results than a single component preparation.
Chondroitin sulfate and glucosamine sulfate
These drugs help slow down the inflammatory response in tissues, help reduce cartilage damage, and reduce pain. Often, these 2 drugs are used together in treatment, because they have a cumulative effect, but they must be taken for 3-6 months.
Hyaluronic acid
Provides viscosity and elasticity of synovial fluid. It helps the joints to slide well. Therefore, doctors often prescribe injections of hyaluronic acid into the affected joint.
Physiotherapy treatments
Physiotherapy treatment may include:
- UHF therapy;
- magnetic therapy;
- low-intensity laser radiation;
- electrophoresis with drugs;
- phonophoresis (using ultrasound to introduce a drug to the site of inflammation).
Surgery
Surgical treatment is used to restore and improve joint mobility, and to remove part of the cartilage or damaged meniscus.
Surgical treatment of arthrosis is applied in extreme cases, when drug treatment does not work, severe pain, partial or complete immobility of joints occurs.
During arthroscopic surgery, it is possible to remove part of the cartilage affected by arthrosis, polish it to give a smooth surface, remove pieces of cartilage and growths, and cut part of the damaged ligaments.
Knee replacement
With this operation, the articular surfaces of the knee joint are replaced with metal or combined prostheses. Prepared plates reproduce 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 damage the surrounding tissues.
Surgery for hip arthrosis
During this operation, partial removal of the cartilage and bone tissue of the pelvis and femur is performed. Typically, the head of the femur and the articular surface of the pelvis are removed and replaced with a metal or metal-ceramic prosthesis.
Diet for arthrosis
Excess body weight is the biggest 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. Jelly meat cooked in cartilage broth is believed to be useful for arthrosis. It contains a lot of collagen and structural components of cartilage, which help to regenerate cartilage tissue.
Dairy products, protein and calcium are useful. Animal protein is found in lean meat and fish, while plant-based protein is found in buckwheat, beans and lentils. Boiled, baked and steamed foods are very healthy.
The best diet for joints is a diet with carbohydrates (preferably complex carbohydrates), fruits and vegetables, sufficient protein and calcium.
Prevention of arthrosis
Prevention of arthrosis, no matter how insignificant, goes through 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 activity and increases blood circulation in the legs.
Using physical therapy with various swings, turns, and bends of the arms and legs will give your joints as much support as possible.
Patients often ask 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. However, it does not replace following your doctor's instructions.