osteoarthritis

The surfaces of the bones that form the joint are covered with a special hyaline cartilage - smooth, providing the least friction force when moving the articular surfaces. If osteoarthritis is diagnosed, it means that the cartilage is being destroyed.

As it progresses, the destructive process spreads to the bones, and then to the joint capsule.

The disease has a universal code for the microbial 10 - M15-M19, classifying it as a class of musculoskeletal and connective tissue pathologies.

According to medical statistics, 12% of the world's population suffers from osteoarthritis, most of whom are elderly people, from the age of 65. However, every year there is an alarming trend of increasing cases among young people.

The diagnosis is not fatal, but arthrosis is insidious with its relapses and the threat of complete disability.

Original mechanism

The disease develops gradually, conditionally we can distinguish four stages:

1. At first, an area of cartilage with poor blood supply, or damage, appears at the site of the cartilage. Gradually, in the presence of traumatic factors, the area is not restored, but, on the contrary, grows.
2. The body, trying to restore the collapsing cartilage, replaces the damaged areas with mineralized tissue that has no clear structure. Such tissue is, in general, an inferior substitute for smooth, slippery, elastic hyaline cartilage.
3. Gradually, the surface of the cartilage becomes covered with scars and bone growths - osteophytes.
4. Healthy areas of the load increased several times wear out very quickly, and as a result, the entire cartilage tissue turns into one large scar.

If the pathological process is not stopped, the joint will undergo the following undesirable changes:

• bones are involved in the process of destruction;
• the synovial membrane becomes inflamed;
• the joint capsule becomes more dense, loses its elasticity;
• the lumen of the joint space diminishes rapidly;
• the bones, unable to resist friction, are deformed, like the joint as a whole;
• the tissues of the joint are reborn, which leads to a complete loss of the possibility of movement.

Types of osteoarthritis

This disease affects absolutely all joint surfaces! At the same time, despite the same mechanism of pathology, it is classified into several types.

So, according to the diseased joints, they distinguish:

• osteoarthritis of the knee joint or patellofemoral osteoarthritis (abbreviated as gonarthrosis);
• arthrosis of the hip joint (abbreviated coxarthrosis);
• arthrosis of the shoulder joint;
• interphalangeal arthrosis;
• osteoarthritis of the ankle joint;
• osteoarthritis of the hands;
• cervical spondylosis;
• arthrosis of the jaw;
• arthrosis of the metatarsophalangeal joint;
• osteoarthritis of the ilium;
• clavicular-acromial arthrosis;
• temporal arthrosis;
• osteoarthritis of the heels;
• arcuate arthrosis affecting the arcuate processes of the vertebrae (abbreviated as spondylarthrosis);
• osteoarthritis of the facet joint of the joints of the spine;
• uncovertebral osteoarthritis;
• costovertebral arthrosis;
• Talonavicular osteoarthritis.

According to the specifics of the course of the pathological process in the cartilage tissue, there are:

• deforming arthrosis is the name of a disease that has passed into the terminal (final) stage;
• arthrosis, - the presence of a classic inflammatory process is characteristic;
• chronic;
• acute osteoarthritis.

Depending on the causes of pathology, there are:

• dystrophic osteoarthritis of the joints associated with a critical metabolic disorder;
• arthrosis of the fracture, caused by the corresponding injuries;
• post-traumatic osteoarthritis.

It is important to know! There is no arthrosis of internal organs, for example, arthrosis of the heart is not a type of disease, but a consequence: a violation of heart activity due to the destruction of cartilage in the areathoracic.

There is another classification, depending on whether the disease is independent or caused by provoking factors:

• primary - occurs on completely healthy cartilage, another name - idiopathic arthrosis, or appears with age-related senile changes;
• secondary - caused by many reasons.

Osteoarthritis symptoms

There are quite typical signs of arthrosis of all localizations, which, depending on the degree of development of the pathology, differ in severity:

• body aches, pain syndrome, aggravated by high humidity and hypothermia;
• decreased joint mobility;
• crackling, grinding and scratching noises when moving the articular surfaces;
• external changes in joint contour;
• puffiness and swelling;
• redness of the skin.

pain

The most initial signs of trouble are felt by mild or moderate, short-lived pain, which almost never occurs at night, but usually appears only with a load on the articular surface.

When the inflammatory processes have passed to their final stage, the patient begins to feel unbearable, "gnawing" pain due to blood stagnation and increased pressure in the articular bag. The pain is characterized by a long duration, at any time of the day, and whether the affected area is at rest or in motion.

joint stiffness

This symptom is typical of a fairly advanced disease. At the same time, in the early stages, the patient still feels in the morning, after waking up, discomfort during movement in the form of a feeling of stiffness.

With the progression of destructive reactions, the patient notices:

• limitation of the range of usual movements;
• the inability to change the position of the limbs at rest, even when trying to unbend the joint manually;
• strong fixation (contracture) in a certain position of the joint, which has long been in a state of lack of motor activity.

Ultimately, in the fourth stage of pathology, ankylosis is formed in the form of replacement of joint tissues with scars, with a complete loss of functionality.

Sounds in the joint

A crack can be accompanied by any dysfunction of the bones and cartilage, not just caused by osteoarthritis.

However, it is characteristic of this disease that the sound:

• occurs only in the joint that hurts;
• accompanied by difficulties in movement;
• tends to intensify with the progression of the pathology, and enters during the formation of ankylosis.

Changed joint appearance

Notable changes appear in later stages. Thus, the axis of the affected limb is bent, and the articular region itself is disfigured - it grows in size, the shape changes shape.

All this testifies to the irreversible destruction of the joint, inside which a new tissue, not having a specific structure, has formed.

If such a pathogenic process occurs in the knee, the load on the ankle and metatarsophalangeal joints will increase, which will damage them over time.

If the outwardly deformed part of the body is also swollen or swollen, it means inflammation of the synovial membrane, due to which synovial fluid accumulates in large quantities in the joint bag, causing severe pain.

Causes of osteoarthritis

Pathology can occur both in a single joint and spread to several. This disease occurs less often at a young age - there is still enough vitality for self-healing of the body.

However, for all age groups, the causes of onset in their direction of exposure are:

• internal - certain diseases, bad habits, unbalanced diet, etc. ;
• external, - injuries, professional factor.

Internal causes are factors provoking a negative change in the joint in the form of inflammation of the joint. There are inflammations of various origins:

• infectious (E. coli and Koch's bacillus, viruses, chlamydia, staphylococci, Treponema pallidum, etc. );
• rheumatism;
• purulent arthritis;
• autoimmune nature;
• drop;
• psoriasis.

Additionally, causes of internal exposure include congenital or acquired disorders of cartilage structure and malnutrition, which may be associated with:

• genetic defects and mutations;
• intrauterine developmental abnormalities, including perinatal trauma;
• advanced age;
• osteoporosis, i. e. "washing out" of the building blocks of bone tissue;
• hormonal disorders and overload, including menopause;
• violations of normal metabolism;
• nutritional deficiencies of vitamins and minerals;
• diseases that cause muscle weakness;
• prolonged internal intoxication.

Exacerbation of many diseases of the musculoskeletal skeleton also leads to cartilage degeneration.

The external causes of the development of the disease are factors that damage the joint, such as:

• frequent hypothermia;
• dislocations;
• strong blows;
• broken bones;
• meniscus injury;
• intense physical activity (lifting weights, for example);
• professional sports;
• joint surgery.

Osteoarthritis degrees

Depending on the clinical manifestations and the process of disease progression, four stages of osteoarthritis are distinguished:

1. arthrosis of the 1st degree, this is the initial stage of arthrosis, which is characterized by hidden symptoms in the form of negative changes in the composition of synovial fluid and weakening of muscle fibers, if pain appears, this is notis that during physical exertion;
2. arthrosis of the 2nd degree - this is already a feeling of pain due to the collapse of the joint of the bones and the formation of osteophytes, reflex neurotrophic regulation is disturbed and an audible crackle appears;
3. arthrosis of the 3rd degree is characterized by significant degenerative changes in the joint, its visible deformation with a curvature of the axis of the limb, the ligaments are shortened, and the joint becomes pathologically mobile;
4. 4th degree osteoarthritis is complete ankylosis, complete contracture and intense pain even at rest.

All four stages proceed unevenly: during the pathological period, acute exacerbations and moments of remission are possible.

Osteoarthritis treatment

It has been clinically proven that treatment and prevention in the form of eliminating the factors provoking hyaline cartilage damage, although they do not relieve the disease at the initial stage, stop its development and restore the functionality of the joint.

Basically, the disease of low and moderate severity is treated with conservative methods. In case of severe destruction of the cartilaginous surface, leading to the destruction of bones, surgical arthroplasty is indicated.

In this case, the main treatment principles are:

• an integrated approach that involves the use of several therapeutic methods;
• determination, that is, the concentration of efforts on the elimination of pathogenic factors and consequences.

Treatment with folk remedies

Being treated comprehensively, but at home, you can also resort to the healing recipes of folk healers, providing effective treatment of health problems with herbs and bee products.

From plants use:

• bay leaf in the form of decoctions, tinctures of vodka and specially prepared oils, used externally, directly on the area of inflammation;
• the treatment of arthrosis with honey has established itself as a reliable local medicine that relieves inflammation in the form of rubbing and nourishes the skin, muscles and cartilage;
• cabbage leaf, - better than white cabbage, - knead it a little and wrap it around a sore spot, warm it with a woolen cloth on top and keep it overnight;
• aloe juice in the form of compresses and rubbing on the skin;

Treatment of arthrosis of the knee joint with burdock also helps: the sheet is bandaged up to the sore spot, which is isolated all night.

It is important to know! Using herbal medicine, in order to enhance the effect, it is necessary to forget about bad habits and take care of proper nutrition.

Medicines for osteoarthritis

Drug therapy in the classical therapeutic method is divided, depending on the dosage form used, into drugs:

• external use, in the form of ointment for arthrosis, frictions, lotions;
• injections;
• osteoarthritis pills;
• capsules.

Ointments

The pharmaceutical industry produces medical ointments based on highly active natural ingredients:

• heparin ointment.

A remedy containing 1% diclofenac helps well: the gel is applied to the skin.

Injections

Injections have proven themselves in the treatment, not only intravenously and intramuscularly, but also directly into the affected area, for example with non-steroidal drugs.

Thus, intra-articular injections are injected into damaged joint tissues:

• glucocorticoids, which improve the nutrition of cartilage tissue, relieve inflammation and increase elasticity;
• chondroprotectors and intra-articular fluid analogues;
• hyaluronic acid as a lubricant and analgesic.

Preparations in the form of tablets and capsules

A special group in pharmacotherapy are the so-called chondroprotectors for arthrosis, containing the structural elements of hyaline cartilage, and thereby restoring it.

These medications are available in the form of tablets and capsules intended to be taken orally via the gastrointestinal tract (oral route).

Additionally, patients are prescribed NSAIDs - anti-inflammatory drugs for arthrosis of the nonsteroidal group, stopping acute pain and relieving exacerbations.

Analgesics are also used in the form of novocaine blockade.

In addition, complex vitamins are prescribed for arthrosis.

From natural preparations of local action, medical bile is recommended, applied in the form of compresses to the skin.

Exercises for osteoarthritis

Excellently proven special exercises and corrective gymnastics (LFK), the complex of which gives physical activity on the unhealthy part of the body in a gentle and dosed way.

Dr. Bubnovsky and Evdokimenko have developed their own series of therapeutic exercises.

It is important to know! Physical exercises very effectively help to restore health, but only if you resort to them at the very beginning of the development of the disease!

Massage for osteoarthritis

A very beneficial effect on treatment and medical massage, which improves microcirculation and nutrition of deep tissues.

diet for arthritis

In this condition, it is important to adhere to proper and rational nutrition in order to slightly improve the patient's condition. Recommended abstinence from overeating, exclusion of animal fats and fried foods.

It is important to know! Also, in the fight for healthy cartilage, it is necessary to use physiotherapy in the form of magnetic therapy, electrophoresis, paraffin and therapeutic mud wraps.

Which doctor treats arthritis

First of all, with complaints of pain in the joints of the bones, you should go to the therapist. It is he who, having summarized the patient's history and asked him in detail, will direct to the necessary narrow specialist.

Depending on the cause of the disease and its type, these may be doctors with profiles such as:

• orthopaedist;
• traumatologist;
• surgeon;
• rheumatologist.